Today was my first meeting with Nasser, an international aspiring electrical engineering student from Saudi Arabia. We decided to walk from the
Hecht House to Starbucks.
Before attending FSU’s CEIS Program, Nasser lived and studied in South Carolina. It is important to learn English because it will allow him to attend engineering school in the United States, and later obtain a job in Saudi Arabia. In his own
words, Nasser described the relationship between English proficiency and social
mobility in Saudi society: a good job is accessible to folks who can speak English.
Despite the many cities he has visited, and the lax US laws
on alcoholic beverage consumption (alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia), Nasser
deeply misses home. I asked him if he yearns the food. Excited, he pulled out
his iPhone and showed me a picture of last night’s dinner. It is a Saudi dish,
designed with yellow rice circling a deeply bronzed chicken. We found
commonality fawning over a meal with yellows, oranges, and warm tones. It
reminded us both of home.
-- catherine gonzalez
-- catherine gonzalez
My conversation partner wants to be an engineering student as well! Just like Saudi Arabia, students from Kuwait aspire to learn English as well to obtain social mobility and secure a good-paying job. It's nice that you bonded with your student over food, I always find that food can bring cultures together! :) Maybe try asking him Nasser about his family next time. When I asked my CP about his family, his face lit up and he wouldn't stop talking about them. They are very proud to be here and make their families proud!
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