Learning Experiences 4

I can't believe my sophomore year in college is three days from being finished. These two years at TCU have flown by so fast it is unbelievable. I have loved my time here at TCU and am excited for the next two years. I just hope they go by a little slower. Sophomore year has brought on new challenges and new learning experiences. Class work has started to pick up and my free time has decreased substantially. To think that half of my college career is over is kind of scary. I have had some amazing times so far at this school and I will be saddened when I am forced to leave here. This year has made me manage my time better and has helped me gain new connections that I will have for the rest of my life. The business school is becoming more demanding and I am having to spend a lot of my time working in groups. I am learning how to better myself as a teammate and strengthening on my leadership skills. I need to continue to learn as I get closer to graduation and the start of my new career, whatever it may be. This year has helped me figure out more of what I want to do in life after school and has also brought me closer to my friends. We have shared some great memories in the first two years together. I hope we are able to enjoy our last two just as much.

As far as Lit and Civ goes, I have been able to learn many new things. I have never had a class that was as active and discussion based as this one. We were able to learn in a fun and interesting way. Anything that can get us students away from powerpoint slide- lectures is a good thing. We have learned about humor in many different ways. What causes it, why we laugh, what makes us laugh, and ultimately came to the conclusion you can't put a solid definition for humor. We learned the different theories and debated the best comedy films. We read great short stories and learned how to be funny. Except I don't think it worked because nobody laughs at my jokes. I think learning through other students can also be an effective way of learning. Student presentations were entertaining and insightful. Hearing the perspectives of others can sometimes be the best way to form an understanding or opinion on a topic. This class was extremely enjoyable and I will miss not having it. Our class bonded over the semester and that rarely happens in the class room setting. Dr. Williams has been a fantastic and respectful professor and I hope he learned as much from us as we did from him.

Anyways, I have truly enjoyed this semester and I can't believe it is over. My time was well spent and I am ready for summer vacation. Even though it is not really vacation because I will be working. But following the mentality of my last experience-blog, I will go into it with a good attitude and enjoy every day.

Conversation Partner 6

Today was my last meeting with Tien. We had to make it a short meeting again due to finals week staring us down. We talked about our semester and the different things we have learned. We talked about how busy the last couple weeks are compared to earlier in the semester. Tien said she is excited for summer and has really enjoyed her year at TCU. I'm happy that she is enjoying her time in America. It still baffles me how these foreign exchange students do what they so. I asked Tien how she takes classes in a different language. She said she really enjoys it. Something I have always wanted to ask someone who speaks multiple languages is, when you're thinking in your head, which language are you thinking in? Might be a dumb question, but I have always wondered. She said for her it depends on what she is doing. She said she is trying to adapt to where she only thinks in english because it will help her improve her skills and vocab. I am extremely jealous she can speak multiple languages because I certainly cannot. I never took my language classes seriously when I was younger and I am regretting it. Anyways, Tien and I spent most of our meeting talking about our summer plans and talking about how much we have enjoyed meeting to talk. She seemed really stressed, but still took the time to meet with me today and say our goodbyes for the summer. She has been one of the best parts of the semester and I have really enjoyed my time with her. I have been able to learn a lot from her and it was fun to talk about Vietnam's culture. I would never be able to go to a foreign country and go to school where I knew nobody. Then again, I am not as strong as these students. I'm glad she has had the opportunity to do this program and I am hoping she learned from me throughout the semester. Tien is a great person and a great friend. This assignment was fantastic. It was a little sad saying goodbye, but she had to finish a big paper and needed to get back to work. We promised to keep in touch and I hope to see her around the business school next year. I will always be able to say I have a friend from Vietnam.