Sarah- CP4

My Venezuelan friend Andrea agreed to meet with me on Saturday at Panera. I realize now that between all of my conversation and tutoring partners, I have covered a significant amount of the globe. Venezuela, Cote d'Avoir, Saudi Arabia, India, and China. I could hop my way around the world by visiting each of their home countries. What a worldly experience this class has turned out to be!

Andrea and I discussed her post graduation options. She will graduate after the summer semester, and because half of her family lives in Venezuela, she has the choice of going back, or staying in South Florida for a job. She wants to get her MBA but has to work for two years first. She would enjoy staying in America, but she could probably get a better position in Venezuela, because she is bilingual. Her younger sister is in high school in South Florida, so her mom lives there with her most of the time. Andrea said her family is here because it isn't very safe in her hometown in Venezuela. The crime rate is very high in the city, and they have to travel there every day for work and school. However, her dad has to stay in Venezuela becuase he owns his own company, and he wouldn't get paid as much in America if he were to move here permanantly. So her family is seemingly destined to be stuck in two different countries. I asked if this was hard for her, and she agreed that it was, saying that she actually just spoke with her dad about it last time she was home visiting him. He said though, that there's nothing that can be done right now, that's just how it is. I can't imagine being that far away from my family all the time like that. I have seen this over and over again while meeting with my other conversation partners and tutee. It is definitely a huge struggle for everyone I have spoken with, and is clearly one of the hardest things the students deal with.

She also spoke about how much she has changed and grown in the past few years here. She was really excited to tell me how she just started taking Tae Kwon Do and wants to continue, no matter which country she ends up in this fall. I think we could feel each others excitement and nervousness well, because both of our lives are drastically changing this fall. We spoke about the potential of her visiting me in Colorado, and agreed to meet at least once again before we both move. It was a good time catching up, and looking a bit more into her culture and life, and where she came from.