Date/Time: October 26, 2016/3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
This conversation is our last official session, but this isn't the last time I will see him (I'm TAing one of his classes). We normally start the conversation by asking typical small talk questions: How are you? How were/are your classes? I always ask him about his family at home, and normally he has a new picture to show me of his kids. I really hope his family moves soon so that he can be with them. He's being a champ about it though. We started talking about the different and similar rules and student expectations between the U.S. and Kuwait classroom settings. I asked him if he had any projects going on for CIES, and the one I think he's most excited about is his speaking project. He has to interview a person over 65 years in Tallahassee. He may interview his professor's father, and if he does, he doesn't know what to ask. So, I gave him some example interview questions to ask such as asking him about his perspective on the millennial generation, one of his favorite experiences as a father, one of his most memorable life moments, etc. I told him it's okay to get specific, even if he is worried the question might offend him. I suggested that after asking the question, tell him that it'd be okay to not respond if he felt uncomfortable responding to it. I also said, that if his teacher's father doesn't work out, I will help him find someone in Tallahassee. In our previous session, I asked him if he could help me find an Islamic community that I can experience and observe and meet people for my TEFL project. He let me know that he called someone, but they have to call him back, and they haven't called back yet. It's kind of like a 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine', and I'm really glad we can help each other out. He also asked me some advice on his university admission process. There is a mix-up with his documents, but I told him the best way to handle the situation and get answers is to continuously call the university and continue to e-mail. It's going to take a little harassing to get things done. Before we left, we talked about the size of Kuwait, and he then explained to me some of the geopolitical issues going on with that region. I'm actually studying Southwest Asia and North Africa for a test, and it was really helpful to get his explanation. It helped me remember that section a little better. At the end, I thanked him for meeting up with me and working with me on the scheduling. He said no problem, and if I ever need anything, just shoot him a text. That really made me smile, because I felt that we have developed a friendship. I guess that's the ideal end goal of a whole conversation partner.
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