Obsevations (All)Commented

Observation One

Sunday January 26, 2014

Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location of Observation: A three bedroom apartment at Walden Station was the site for a

dinner being hosted by Turk and John, exchange students from Saudi Arabia. The apartment has

a small entranceway that holds residents and guests shoes and coats that opens up into a large

common area. As guests enter the apartment, you can smell the unfamiliar, exotic smell of

spices and food. These are unlike anything the average American is used to. The common area

has two large couches and a generously sized TV. Next to the common area is the kitchen which

has a large wrap around bar area separating it from the entranceway and living room. Three

rooms for the residents are strategically placed on three sides of the apartment. The size of the

apartment is comfortable for accommodating many guest with the living room area, bar and

rooms spread throughout the apartment. Turk and John are the only tenants at the current time

and one of the three rooms sits quietly empty. Welcoming American music can be heard at an

appropriate volume throughout the apartment. Familiar images of American video games are

also being played on the TV with many guests watching with interest. A mix of random

conversations are taking place in all of the areas of the apartment. Half of them are

understandable and being spoken in English. The other half are foreign and can’t be understood

at all except for reading the looks of the participants facing to see if it is a story, funny, sad,

serious, or happy. Everyone in attendance is from different regions of the Middle East.

Figured World: Figured Worlds are a specific location at a certain time where there is a group

of people. Typically these people share a common interest and/or goal being in this location.

This Figured World commonly has certain distinguishing characteristics, items/artifacts,

discourse communities and accepted behaviors that make it unique.

There are many unspoken rules and conventions of the Figured World of all the exchange

students in attendance from UNC Charlotte. It is driven by many of the participants’ upbringings

but also by their respect for one another. Being aware that they are part of a small discourse

community within the larger UNC Charlotte student body makes them have a closer connection

with one another. Religion is a very important tradition for them. It shows in how they act, eat,

speak or treat others. Directly for this Figured World, not being able to have any pork or certain

other meals is forbidden by religion. There is a great deal of a sense of team or family even

amongst everyone. If someone can help and someone needs help, a person would immediately

help the other out. This was the case with even something as small as coming up the stairs with

something in their hands. It was a relaxed environment where everyone was connected to each

other and to their original home. When it was time to eat, instead of many conversations

happening at once, there was only one person who would speak. No one else would interrupt.

Everyone would respect what one would have to say at the dinner portion. Outside of dinner,

conversation carried on between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with

multiple conversations going on at the same time. Even though, only two people were actually

related, everyone had a sense of family to one another.

Commented [P1]:

Commented [P2]: Really great description of location of observation.

Commented [P3]: Make into either sentences or use definition style to define.

Commented [P4]: Definitions very thorough.

Actors: Specific people that play a significant role in developing a Figured World. They play a

critical role in setting the environment for different discourse communities and are stand-out

people within this world. These actors have responsibility and role expectations from the

discourse communities within the Figured World.

Turk: A good friend who is from a northern tribe in Saudi Arabia. He is attending UNC

Charlotte on scholarship from his country to study overseas. He has been in the United

States exactly one year now. Since arriving he has been in the English learning program

offered at UNCC. This will be his last semester in this program and will begin his

education in art after this semester. Turk lives at the apartment and is hosting a dinner for

the other exchange students. For this observation, he is helping John cook and make sure

his guests are comfortable and entertained.

John: An exchange student from outside of the city Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. John has been

in the United States about a year longer and has already begun to take classes for his

degree at UNC Charlotte. He is currently working on his engineering degree. He hopes

to finish on time and move back to the Middle East to get a good job and start a family.

He also lives at the apartment and is the primary chef cooking the meal for everyone this

evening. He is cooking a traditional Arabic meal meant for a large group of people.

Rambo: The brother of John. He does not live in the apartment but lives across the hall

from this apartment. He is helping with everyone as well. Rambo is very friendly and

spends much of his time socializing with everyone. He has not been in the United States

very long and has only been working in the English program at UNCC for about five

months now. His English is slightly broken and is eager to learn it as fast as he can.

Artifacts: Artifacts are tangible or non-tangible items that make-up the Figured World. They

give the world its uniqueness and help communicate ideas, feelings, traditions, beliefs or

meanings. They can be a physical object as simple as a chair or picture on the wall. They can

also be non-physical such as conversations, feelings or ideas shared.

Traditional Arabic Food for Dinner: Many Arabic Families prepare large meals for

the great number of immediate family members they typically have. For example, John

has nine brothers and sisters. It is common tradition to have such large families in Saudi

Arabia. The meals that are prepared rarely have the capacity to only feed two or three

people. Since pork is not allowed religiously, chicken is a frequent meal. Also, rice is

prepared very often. This provides a relatively cheap but filling food to supplement the

chicken. These meals are cooked with a great deal of spices that are never seen in the

United States. Any combination of up to twenty different spices could be used on one

part of the meal. The smell is delightful. There is a great deal of attention to detail put

into these meals and require a great deal of knowledge to negotiate the complex

ingredients.

Traditional Arabic Music: This music was played to help with ambience for the

apartment. This helped the exchange students feel more connected to home which was

half a world away. There are very few instruments played in the music. The songs

consist of mostly men singing.



Commented [P7]: Good definition. Included everything that’s important and significant.

Commented [P8]: How Arabic food differs from US. How does the Arabic family compare to US?

Commented [P9]: Good to bring up religious restrictions.

American Music/Games: When hosting a dinner or get-together, it is always important

to provide entertainment. All of the exchange students have open minds and are

interested in learning about Americans. Taking part in the culture of American music

and video games help them learn more about our country. They can do this by doing

similar things as other young Americans. Listening to music and playing video games

also help them with applying their English skills. It could be assumed that most of the

American entertainment is also just plain fun to them as well.

Arabic Language: Commonly spoken amongst Middle Eastern countries. Everyone in

attendance originally spoke Arabic. It is similar to the traditional music played and food.

It is something that everyone shares. It helps with comfort. While everyone is away

from this place they do not get to use their language as much as they would like to.

Being surrounded by others who share this language can help with feeling accepted in a

foreign land.

Discourse Communities: Discourse Communities are a group of people that share a common

goal and have similar unique characteristics to them alone. They can be any amount of people.

Discourse Communities have a membership to be accepted in them. A person has to be familiar

with their goals and practices to be allowed access in to their circle.

Experienced Exchange Students (over one year): Some of the students have been in

the United States longer than others. These students are significantly better at speaking

English. They use English frequently in their conversations. The “experienced” students

have been in school much longer together and have stronger relationships to one another

than most of the other students. These students have a sort of maturity in America as

well.

New Exchange Students (under one year): These students stand out when speaking

English. They have a very hard time speaking and understanding English. Many of the

American traditions, ideas and entertainment are new to them. These seem exciting to

the newer students. They are classed together at UNCC. They have created their own

sub/new discourse community as they move forward together in the English program.

Students from Similar Areas in the Middle East: Some of the students share closer

bonds and conversations. They are from tribes that were located closely in the Middle

East. Here, they one another’s family and friends not even knowing each other.

Conversations of back home and family are constantly discussed. These students tend to

take to one another the most in this Figured World.

Literacy Practices: Literacy Practices are the way in which the people involved with the

Figured World conduct themselves and interact with others within the Figured World. They help

bond the people involved and set expectations.

Eating Dinner Together on the Floor: All guests eat on the floor like they would

traditionally in their country. There are no chairs. Everyone sits in a huge circle and eats

from the middle. They sit Indian style while eating with their hands. No plates are used

while everyone eats. The food is served on large trays. These trays get passed around or

everyone reaches in to eat from. This is traditional to them. If someone were to break

this practice, it may be frowned upon. Some of the students would most likely think it

was odd too.

Sharing Everything: Everything that everyone owns is shared with everyone else in the

figured world. They constantly are borrowing things from one another. The students

seem to pull together and trust one another very much so. Even something like shoes

may be shared if someone were stepping outside for a moment. This shows how close

everyone is to one another.

Moving in Groups: The small discourse communities within this figured world seem to

stay close together. When a member of the smaller discourse community moves, the rest

of the members tend to go with each other. This may be while changing rooms or

stepping outside. These groups of people all interact with each other. They don’t stay

apart for very long though.

Observation:

7:00PM: Arrive at the apartment. The smell of the food is very distinct and can be smelled

before even entering the apartment. It smells very good. I did not know what to expect though

for food. Everyone takes their shoes off at the door. There are a little more than ten people there

when I arrive. A few are together at the bar of the kitchen. A few are in the living room sitting

around the TV playing video games. There is American music playing and John is in the kitchen

cooking with about five pots of something and many spices all around covering the kitchen

counters. There are many conversations going on. Some in English, which I can understand.

Many conversations are in Arabic though.

7:10PM: I have been introduced to everyone. They are all attending UNC Charlotte. Not

everyone is in the English program there. Some have finished and are now working on their

degrees at UNCC. Most wish to pursue some type of engineering degree. Everyone speaks

Arabic but surprisingly enough, most can speak English well enough to not have too much

trouble talking. I try to be polite to annunciate my words for them to understand.

7:15PM: There are three main areas everyone is. In the bedroom listening to music, in the living

room playing video games or at the bar area talking. There are many different people here but

all from the Middle East. Some have been here longer than others. There is a large gap in ability

to speak English. Arabic is frequently used.

7:30PM: John finished cooking and served the food to everyone. Before he set the food out, all

of the living room furniture was moved away from the center and the food was placed in the

middle of a large carpet. Turk played traditional Arabic music from a small stereo while the

food was placed out. The tone of the apartment changed. It wasn’t quite as social. More formal

now that dinner was about to be served it seemed.

7:35PM: All the people in attendance sat around the middle, indian style. No one had plates.

Everyone reached in to take the food they were eating. It was like a buffet without plates or

silverware. The food was very good. There were many flavors from all of the spices used to

make the dishes. There was mainly rice and chicken. Even though there was rice served, no

utensils were used. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal very much. I thought it was a

great meal as well. You could see everyone was happy to be having a cooked meal like they

were used to.

7:50PM: Everyone had finished eating. We all sat around and had random conversations about

everything from school to our own countries. The United States is a very different country from

what they are used to. All stayed at the eating area until a few were ready to depart.

7:55PM: All the people that were there helped clean everything after eating. The eating area

was cleaned by some. The kitchen had about four people in it cleaning up the dishes and counter

areas. You could tell that they all cared for one another and respected each other very much by

this.

8:05PM: Everyone had finished cleaning and almost immediately after started to leave. I

assume that since they see each other so frequently that everyone was in a hurry to get to their

homes after eating as much food as we did. I had a small conversation with a few stragglers and

decided it was time I left as well.

Observation Two

Monday February 3, 2014

Time: 10:30am-11:00am

Location of Observation: The International Student Services office located in the CHHS

building of UNC Charlotte. It is located on the second floor on the side of the building nearest

the Student Union. Here there are many offices and classes for the international students that

attend school at UNCC. There are several common areas located on the second floor and first

floor that host many students gathering for class purposes and social reasons. Standing in the

common area of the second floor, every door within sight is a different office for different types

of services. Down the halls past these offices are the classrooms that host different English

program classes. There is a constant buzz of students and faculty walking around.





There are many unspoken rules and conventions of the Figured World of all the exchange








help the other out. I observed that when a person spoke, no one would interrupt. Everyone

would respect what one would have to say during any conversation. Many conversations carried

on would bounce between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with multiple

conversations going on at the same time. Everyone had a sense of family to one another. These

students had a strong sense of comfort around one another within the vicinity of each other.

They would go from being what seemed like an introvert immediately to extrovert as soon as

they entered this figured world. All of the international students seemed to be very excited to be

in the United States. This was a grand opportunity that not many people get to have.





Diane: The office manager for most of the international students. Her office is located

down the hall of the office of admissions for international students. Her job is to act as a

manager of most students and counselor. She is very personable and knows every

student that walks through the halls of the international student community.

Commented [P10]: Don’t have to repeat definitions for each observation.

Jessica: Assistant for the admissions office. She is very similar to Diane and works

closely with her to help mentor and ensure the students succeed at UNCC. She also acts

less of just an assistant and more of a counselor. She has many duties and many students

to keep up with while trying to maintain an orderly office with the great deal of traffic

that walks in and out.





Common Area for the Students: Many of the students take time from their day to

spend here. Whether they be between classes, on lunch, studying for a test, or just

looking for a place to sit around, the common areas are a high traffic, high interest area.

The primary area is located on the second floor near the international services office.

There is a second area located directly below on the first floor. When the primary lobby

here fills up, many students will spill over into the second located on the first floor.

Many meetings or lone students spend time here.

Classrooms: These classrooms seems slightly different than most. There are many

different classes taking place at the same time. They are their own independent operation

from one another though. Not all of the students are in the same English level. Each one

of these classes represent different groups of students at different levels. The classes

don’t operate on the same schedules either. This causes a constant flow of students at all

times throughout most of the day.

Literature to help with American Culture and English: Located in the common areas

and in all of the offices are magazines and books aimed to help international students

become more familiar with American culture and the English language. Books and

magazines that most Americans pay no mind towards are a critical source for

understanding more about us as a country and culture.

Comfort: The campus of UNC Charlotte can be a very intimidating environment. When

the international students come here, they feel comfortable. They are surrounded by

more of their friends and people who are from similar cultures. Even if the other students

are not from a similar place, they can all confide in the fact that they share the feeling of

being in a new and strange culture. It is a place that students can go to be comfortable

and where Americans are not going to gaze at them strangely for being different.





Counselors: The counselors have an interesting role for this figured world. They are

responsible for ensuring the students stay engaged in school. A sub role they play is that

they help the students as mentors in their lives as well. They give advice on where to

live, what to do, how to handle their finances or anything else the students may be

concerned about. The students trust the counselors as leaders and liaisons to America.

Teachers: Teachers are the intellectual influence for all the students. Their involvement

with the students is crucial to the students’ success. Being able to effectively teach

English to the students opens the doors to be able to function in the United States. Also,

by effectively teaching the students English, they are enabling the students to go on to

study their undergraduate program at UNCC.

Students: The students are very similar to other students at UNC Charlotte. They

socialize and attend classes like everyone else. The only difference is that they are

studying English for now and not a specific degree program. They are a close

community of young people. Although they may not all be from the same areas around

the world, they share many similarities.




Socializing Together: While transiting to classes or elsewhere, the students often stop

and spend time together in the common areas and halls. It almost seemed impossible for

some students to leave the building between seeing the counselors and friends.

Speaking English as much as possible: The students are constantly testing each other

on their level of English. They will sit down and have random conversations about

anything. They could discuss the weather, their night last night, or what they are

planning to do after school. These conversations are not to explain to one another about

what the actual weather is but rather to ensure they are speaking correctly. After one

person speaks, many of their peers would review their conversation and critique their

performance.

Observation:

10:30AM: The counselors are all sitting in their offices. A few students, about 5 are sitting out

in the common areas working on what would seem to be some type of school work. All of the

classes are filled with different students. There aren’t many students walking around. The

offices have windows that open up to a receptionist area. Secretaries fill all of these areas and

seem to be steadily working on secretary duties. It is very quiet.

10:38AM: A few more students walk down the hall and sit down in the common area. One of

them walks into the Services office to speak with Diane. The rest sit down and are talking in

another language laughing. They quickly switched to English and are talking about finding a

place to live. It seems they do not like their current apartment.

Commented [P11]: Social cues/ different roles people play and how they interact.

10:45AM: The students that were sitting down get up and walk down to a class. Shortly after

they walk down there the class lets out. A few of the students walking out stop and talk with the

original students. After their conversation, the first group walk into the class room and you can

over hear greetings from the professor and the students. Two more classes let out at this time.

The hall ways have about 30 or so students leaving.

10:50AM: Not all of the class rooms let class out a few minutes ago. Some of the students have

stuck around and are sitting in the common area. One sits on the arm rest of a chair while a few

others are around him. He begins to explain to the others what he did this weekend. He is

explaining it in an odd way in English though. The others seem to be listening to what he is

saying and he is annunciating the words very harshly. He seems to be practicing like for a

speaking test.

10:55AM: Diane walks out of her office and over to a few of the students that are sitting around

and begins to speak with them about how school is going. She knows all of the students by name

and they seem very friendly with her. She is very personable with them and seems sincerely

interested in how they are doing.

11:00AM: The students that were what seemed to be going over speaking test critiques are still

in the common area practicing. A few other straggler students are sitting around occupying the

remaining chairs working with books open and paper out. Jessica seems to be walking back and

forth through Diane’s office. Two more classes have just let out and about twenty or so students

are making a shuffle through the hallways in all directions seemly repeating.

Commented [P12]: Need more notes for observations if possible.

Observation Three

Monday February 03, 2014

Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm

Location of Observation: The Student Union located on campus at UNC Charlotte. The

Student Union or Union as it is known for also, is a center for student activity. It hosts a number

of shops and food locations. One of the dominating attractions of the Union are the countless

amounts of entertainment areas. These areas are made up of movie theaters, art galleries, pool

hall, and countless other group activity areas. A visitor that is not familiar to the Union could

easily get lost without the huge main hall area that stretches four stories up. On the upper floors,

several student service offices are located. Students gather in every open area around the Union.

The center floor on the first floor is filled with chairs and tables for the students to sit down and

either socialize or put headphones in to work on school work. It is a small sanctuary to break the

monotony of the constant learning buzz around campus. Its appeal to the eyes can also give a

welcome escape from the mute colors of the library that seems to absorb students into the walls

and shelves. A little time spent here can be just what any student needs to get a recharge to take

on the campus again.





There are many unspoken rules and conventions in the Figured World of all the exchange








help the other out. I observed that when a person spoke, no one would interrupt. Everyone

would respect what one would have to say during any conversation. Many conversations carried

on would bounce between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with multiple

conversations going on at the same time. Everyone had a sense of family to one another. These

students had a strong sense of comfort around one another within the vicinity of each other.

They would go from being what seemed like an introvert immediately to extrovert as soon as

they entered this figured world. All of the international students seemed to be very excited to be

in the United States. This was a grand opportunity that not many people get to have.





Turk: An exchange student from Saudi Arabia. He has been attending school here for

about a year now and is looking forward to finishing his English studies. He has enjoyed

being here at UNCC so far. He attends classes in the CHHS building on campus and

after a few hours spend in the class room likes to meet a few of his peers at the Union.

John: An exchange student from Saudi Arabia. John has finished the English program

and is currently taking classes working on his engineering degree. He is working on his

second semester taking regular academics. He has been attending school the longest out

of most of the exchange students here.

Rambo: The youngest out of the students. He is an exchange student from Saudi

Arabia. He has only been taking English classes at UNCC for a short period of time.

Jokes around very often with his peers. He mostly speaks in Arabic but his English is

getting better by the day. He seems to be enjoying his time here in the United States.





Chairs set around each other: Each of the exchange students bring in a chair provided

at the Union around one another. Everyone sits around and seems to be relaxing using

these chairs. They provide a place for them to sit and if there are not any available then

they can be shared by someone sitting on the armrest.

Book bags: All of the exchange students for the most part have book bags to carry their

belongings. These bags hold computers, books, work or other entertainment devices.

Without these the exchange students would not be able to carry as much and probably

wouldn’t be as entertained or be able to do extra work they have.

Pool tables: These seem to be a large entertainment source for many of the males of the

figured world. At all times, there are about 6-7 members at one of the pool tables

enjoying themselves playing pool. Being able to spend time with their peers is important

but these bring another level of entertainment while doing so.

Arabic Language: Most conversations are spoken in Arabic. Here at the Union, more

than any other area is Arabic spoken predominantly. This may be because it is a public

place with many American students and the exchange students do not wish their

conversations to be understood for some reason. Almost everything is spoken in Arabic.





Exchange Students chairs: These students are primarily sitting around having casual

conversations. They are socializing within their designated area that creates a sort of

bubble in the middle of the Union. They do not get up often and have multiple

conversations going on at one time. They are a mix of all the levels of the English

program and degree programs.

Exchange Students playing pool: This is in relative close proximity of the rest of the

students but still in a separate room. All of the students playing pool are male and very

close friends. They seem to have known each other for a long time and all have classes

together. They are not competitively playing but rather playing to occupy their hands

while they spend time together.

Male and Female Exchange Students: Within all of the groups of people, they are

primarily segregated into males and female peer groups. Everyone still interacts with one

another but there is a distinct separation between the amount of conversing between

male/male and female/female. Those of the same sex tend to have more conversation

together rather than across gender lines.




Being social when sitting together: All the students seem to be in a social mood when

grouped together here. If there is a person not involved in the conversation, it does not

take long for them to find input to involve themselves it seems. Everyone sitting around

has something to talk about all the time. It seems like a fun and social environment.

Waiting Turns in pool: Exchange students seem to have adopted the American way of

playing pool. Although, they are not attempting to be competitive or win, they let

everyone get involved and don’t ever seem to mind the score.

Everyone is there to relax: It is the end of the school day for most. Everyone is looking

for some downtime after class. With everyone just leaving class, this is the perfect time

for them to get together and enjoy each other’s’ company. No one has homework out.

No one is excessively talking on the phone. They are all there to “hang out”.

Observation:

3:30PM: A few exchange students and I arrive through the front of the Union. There are several

other exchange students there at the Union. A few are seated in the middle area and a few are

playing pool.

Commented [P13]: Social cues/ different roles people play and how they interact.

3:35PM: Two of the students left to get something to eat together leaving only a small amount

of students together in the common area.

3:40PM: Several more students arrive and I notice everyone is speaking Arabic and hasn’t said

any English at all. The same could be said for in the pool hall area. It is hard to tell what is

going on exactly not being able to understand what anyone is cool.

3:45PM: Turk and Rambo are in the pool hall area. Rambo has from time to time bounced back

and forth a few times. He doesn’t seem interested in playing pool really while Turk is more

focused as he plays and others wait around. John is over in the middle of the Union talking with

a few of his friends I remember seeing him with before. One of his friends is talking and three

other guys are around him listening intently.

3:50PM: Turk finished playing his game. Not the best outing I’ve seen. They were having fun

though. Turk replaced another guy on a couch near the table while two new players took their

shot at it. Rambo volunteered Turk’s offer to play to another friend. I’m hearing John and the

middle area friends laughing loudly as if they were the only people in the Union. I can’t tell if

the story is really that funny. I’ve noticed about 5 girls in the middle though. I haven’t seen any

of them engage with any guys other than greeting. They are mostly together and have only been

sitting next to each other talking with themselves.

3:55PM: Several more exchange students arrived and a few of the arriving students walked

outside to smoke a cigarette with the students already there. It’s obvious that this seemed almost

routine to them. They have been coming here after class meeting for a while and enjoyed their

time after class hanging out here. It was a fun and comfortable routine. Not many of the

exchange students live on campus actually. Since they are spread out on the outskirts of campus,

it makes sense for them to hang out after class while they are already together.

Commented [P14]: Whaaaaaaaa?

Interview Questions:

Goals:

-At least 5 questions

-Open probes

-Establish who, why, how in the figured world

What is your name and where are you originally from?

Turk, Saudi Arabia

Why did you decide to come to the United States to attend college?

I could not go to college in my country because of certain test scores while I was in high school.

I did very well on the tests applying to foreign programs. I was accepted to go to the United

Kingdom or United States. I did not like the English so I chose the United States. All of the

English people I have met have seemed rude or “better than”.

How long have you been enrolled in school at UNC Charlotte and why did you decide to

come here?

I enrolled at UNCC last March. Charlotte had a few of my friends here already. I like the city

here though. The people I heard were nice, the school looked nice. I liked what I heard and saw

about Charlotte and UNC Charlotte. The English program is good here too.

What do you intend to do/ what are your goals while you are here?

I want to finish with my English program and start to work on my degree. I am thinking about

going to California for my degree. I want to do design.

Why are these your goals?

I like to draw. Not like paintings or something though. I want to draw like a building or

something that you would see. I can’t think of anything else I would like doing.

How do you plan on achieving those goals?

I have to finish school for English. I have to pass the ELIS test before taking regular classes. I

have already applied to move to California in the summer hopefully. I have taken the ELIS 4

times and I’m waiting on the results from the last one two weeks ago.

Have your goals changed since coming here?

Yes, I originally wanted to go to school here for engineering. I don’t like engineering though.

My dad is in the military and a general in Saudi Arabia. He wanted me to do something like that

and I thought I would like it. I wouldn’t though. I like the idea of making something like

designing it. That’s why I want to go to school in San Francisco.

From what have they changed?

(Engineering to Art Design)

Why have they changed? (if they have)

Commented [P15]: Make a note of the changes made to replies from interviewee. Since he did not speak English very well.

Commented [P16]: Great questions and good job to ask more questions.

Commented [P17]: Define ELIS.

I think everyone in my country goes and does these things and it’s what everyone wants to do

after high school. I don’t want to be an engineer. It’s not what I want to do in life.

How does UNC Charlotte give you the chance to achieve these goals?

It has taught me English. The school in San Francisco is one of the best in the country. I can go

to school here but I want to go to school in California now.

How do you feel since starting school at UNC Charlotte?

I feel good. I like it here. I did not know I would be in the English program for this long. I

don’t like learning the same thing over and over again. It is very boring. I am ready to do

something else that I would like more.

Why do you think you feel that way?

The test is hard. I have taken it 4 times. I do good everywhere except speaking and sometimes

grammar. I don’t like it.

What do you like about school here?

I like all my friends that I have hear. The school is nice too.

What don't you like about school here?

I don’t like doing the same thing every day here. It’s not fun. It gets cold too.

What would you say is the most interesting thing about where you are from?

I don’t know. We have many americans living near where I live. Most do not live where we

live. Many of them have compounds and big communities they live in. They are always doing

fun stuff there. They like to have fun in these places.

What is the biggest difference of living here and where you are from?

I can do whatever I want here. I’m on my own. I can go or do anything. I like that.

What advice would you give to another exchange student coming into the program here?

Pass the test fast. It’s not fun. I am tired of taking the test over and over. Most take 6 tries. I’m

hoping I pass this time.

What advice would you give to an American student interested in learning about your

culture?

We are just like the other students so we are like friends.

Obsevations (All)Commented

Documents

Transcript of Obsevations (All)Commented