DAY 295 - CONNECTING WITH STRANGERS

Day 295

This semester, I am blessed with a very special group of students.  The first day I met them, I knew it was going to be a great bunch.  It rarely happens, but I can honestly say that each and every student has only brought positive energy to the class.

Specialists in education will tell you, every group has a negative leader, a rotten apple that could potentially infect the class... my group doesn't.

On Friday, they spontaneously organized a collective lunch to celebrate the departure of two of my students who have found jobs.  Although it is the objective of the class and those two students were rejoicing in some way, there were a lot of tears shed.  Human connection is a very beautiful and special reality to witness...

Apple pie made by my student!

My three Latin American students (two men and a woman) displayed their talents by playing and singing beautiful engaging spanish songs.   My Russian student brought caviar to serve as an appetizer.  One of my French Canadian students prepared an apple pie and a sugar pie.

Another of my students, a professional singer, very well know in Morocco, who has decided to change her career and lifestyle for her son's sake sang a song, dedicating it to me.  She has now found a job in a bank and wanted to take the time to thank me before leaving.  I was genuinely touched by her gesture.

I didn't know these people four weeks ago.  They were all strangers to me.  And they did not know each other.  Yet, seeing them singing, laughing and talking with each other on Friday, one would have sworn they were old friends.  Sharing their life stories in an English communication class has brought them very close to each other.

 I don't know how many of them will keep in touch.  I don't know how many of them I will see again  after the course is over.  But it doesn't really matter.  Connecting with people adds to your wellbeing, whether these people remain in your life for a long time or they are just passers by.  They can sometimes have a profound impact in your life. 

I am fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to connect with people, through my teaching, on a regular basis.  But I also choose to be open enough to these new encounters.  Because I know, in the end, that it can only enrich my life.

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