The Ending of a Great Experience

  Reflecting back on my visits to Rock Island High School, it saddens me that my time there has come to an end for now.  I have helped several students with many different homework subjects, I have gotten to know some great kids, and I established some new relationships.  My time at RIHS working with Mrs. Kanter and her students in the ELL program has truly been a wonderful experience that I will carry with me.  While looking back at my experiences, a few themes re-occured.  

   One theme I noticed constantly was perception. Going into this experience I had assumptions of what we would be doing and how the students would be.  As time progressed, I was proven to be wrong on my assumptions.  I believe that the students also had their own perceptions of how we would be and what the experience would be like. I did not think they would like learning as much as they did, or make sure they completed their homework before or time was up.  I was also unsure about the type of respect the students would have for Cassie and I.  The students always showed us respect, and never acted out with us.  Another re-ocurring theme was social exchange theory. Not only were the students benefiting from the relationship because of our help with their homework, we also benefited from the relationship as well.  We benefitted from their wants and needs of aid with their work and wanting to get to know us better.  We were able to give each other new intercultural experiences, which was very fun and interesting. The experience overall was very rewarding, and I am glad that I was able to participate in this program.

    These experiences will help shape my intercultural experiences in the future, because I have a better understanding of how to approach these situations without a set perception in mind already.  I will also use effective verbal delivery guidelines to help guide my conversations, and to use the best form of language for the situation.  I will not be as intimidated as I would be around those from other cultures if I did not have this experience.