Saturday English School
Tutoring at Saturday English School is one of the first non-academic experience I have outside of college. It is a multicultural academic program organized by the Vietnamese Friendship Association in Seattle to serve immigrant students from over 22 countries.
Leadership Competencies Gained
Helping Others
I helped the students with their Math and English, and other homework they have at school. I also assisted the teacher in classroom with lesson materials, setting up technology, displaying student work etc. In the afternoon we engage them in fun team-building activities or indoor sports, and occasionally we would have field trips to the Zoo, Aquarium, and other outdoor destinations. Despite having to wake up early on Saturdays, I was always looking forward to the weekend to meet with the students because I felt like I learned so much from them and that the work I did was meaningful.
Listening
One time a girl approached me in the hallway right before lunch time and shyly asked if I was Vietnamese. We sat down together in the gym for lunch, and she told me about her life after moving to the United States. According to her, she has been having a hard time adjusting to the new environment and culture, she wanted to make friends at school but she could barely understand what they chat with each other, and moreover, she can't stay after school to hang out with her friends or participate in any club because she has to help her parents with their newly opened street food vendor. I think listening is more than just hearing. It is not solely about paying attention to the stories that are being told but also being aware of both the verbal and non-verbal components, being able to perceive the untold stories and connect two souls. I believe everyone has a great story to tell and it is the matter of whether the listener can bring it up.
Mentoring
These wonderful students come from different background but most of them share a dream to go to college, and most of them would be the first generation to go to college. Even though I am no longer volunteering there and can't keep contact with the students, I have a faith in them and deep down I want them to success. It did not surprise me when the immigrant students at the Seattle World School told me that they feel more comfortable, connected and self-confident here, when they have friends that have same immigrant background, same challenges despite of differences in race, religion or country of origin. Though they have to encounter many difficulties, they both share the same dream: going to college. And I am feel happy more than ever to have these students fulfill their dreams.
Productive Relationships
Even though I was a tutor, I definitely learned much more from the students I was working with. They taught me what resilience is. They taught me life is never easy, and it is part of life that we learn how to deal with harshness when life gets difficult. They taught me that life is only meaningful if we have goals and motivation. Life can be hard sometimes but quitting is not an option for them. Their parents sacrifice so much for them coming here so they can have better lives, and they understand that and always try to live up to their parents' expectation.
I helped the students with their Math and English, and other homework they have at school. I also assisted the teacher in classroom with lesson materials, setting up technology, displaying student work etc. In the afternoon we engage them in fun team-building activities or indoor sports, and occasionally we would have field trips to the Zoo, Aquarium, and other outdoor destinations. Despite having to wake up early on Saturdays, I was always looking forward to the weekend to meet with the students because I felt like I learned so much from them and that the work I did was meaningful.
Listening
One time a girl approached me in the hallway right before lunch time and shyly asked if I was Vietnamese. We sat down together in the gym for lunch, and she told me about her life after moving to the United States. According to her, she has been having a hard time adjusting to the new environment and culture, she wanted to make friends at school but she could barely understand what they chat with each other, and moreover, she can't stay after school to hang out with her friends or participate in any club because she has to help her parents with their newly opened street food vendor. I think listening is more than just hearing. It is not solely about paying attention to the stories that are being told but also being aware of both the verbal and non-verbal components, being able to perceive the untold stories and connect two souls. I believe everyone has a great story to tell and it is the matter of whether the listener can bring it up.
Mentoring
These wonderful students come from different background but most of them share a dream to go to college, and most of them would be the first generation to go to college. Even though I am no longer volunteering there and can't keep contact with the students, I have a faith in them and deep down I want them to success. It did not surprise me when the immigrant students at the Seattle World School told me that they feel more comfortable, connected and self-confident here, when they have friends that have same immigrant background, same challenges despite of differences in race, religion or country of origin. Though they have to encounter many difficulties, they both share the same dream: going to college. And I am feel happy more than ever to have these students fulfill their dreams.
Productive Relationships
Even though I was a tutor, I definitely learned much more from the students I was working with. They taught me what resilience is. They taught me life is never easy, and it is part of life that we learn how to deal with harshness when life gets difficult. They taught me that life is only meaningful if we have goals and motivation. Life can be hard sometimes but quitting is not an option for them. Their parents sacrifice so much for them coming here so they can have better lives, and they understand that and always try to live up to their parents' expectation.