Conversation Partner 6

Conversation Partner 6

            Kevin and I met for the last time on Tuesday, December 3, 2013. We decided to meet back at the bookstore, the very first place we ever met. We started off by going inside and grabbing coffee and then found our way back outside. The weather was really nice on this day, unseasonably warm for this time of year. Kevin, like me, thought the weather was great. But, I had to explain to him, it doesn’t always stay this nice out in the winter time!

            Kevin and I asked each other how Thanksgiving went. I went first and explained to him the ins and outs of my entire trip. I told him how long it takes to get home, who went with me, how much of my family was back there, what we did while at home, and how we enjoyed it. He thought my story from Nebraska was really exciting and said he’d love to visit the place someday. I laughed and told him it isn’t as great as I talk it up to be, I’m just proud of my home and like to brag about it.

            I asked him how his Thanksgiving was and he said it went well. He couldn’t g home, but he said he took the time off to reach his parents and see how they were doing back in China. He said he misses them, but especially at a time of year where everyone around him is going home to see family. He said he felt a little lonely last weekend with everyone gone and no family around, but he enjoyed his time off and spent the long weekend relaxing. I felt a little bit bad for him not being able to see his family and all, but I know he’s doing just fine. If he can move away from his family to another country for 5 years, I know he’s got thick skin. I sure as heck couldn’t move to a foreign country for 5 years!

            We talked about finals. He asked me if I thought I was prepared and I had to tell him that studying has been a bit of a struggle lately. At this point in the semester, its easy to just put school behind you and blow it off. I know I can’t do that but sometimes I wish I could. I asked him again how his English classes were progressing. Again, he said they’re going well. And I can tell. His English is getting easier to understand. Yes, he still struggles to find his words from time to time, but who wouldn’t? I’m pretty impressed with how quickly Kevin has been able to pick it all up and adapt to his new home (or at least extended vacation).

            Kevin and I finished up our conversation after about 25 minutes. Our talks have been getting increasingly shorter and I was surprised that this meeting went fairly short. As our meetings continued, we frankly ran out of things to discuss. After a while, it jut becomes difficult to connect with someone from such a different culture, language, and lifestyle. At the end of the day, we ran out of things to say.

            While I wish our talks could’ve been a little less superficial, I am really glad I got to meet Kevin through this program. It was obviously great for him to have someone to speak English with, but it was also a great experience for me. I have never met a Chinese native and getting to talk to Kevin once every few weeks gave me a great new perspective on the world.