After my culture presentation yesterday, Jassas and I met up quickly to catch up. He will be staying in Tallahassee for more sessions after this week so we have plans to meet up again before I leave for Orlando. Jassas is still very much enjoying his time in Tallahassee and his classes at CIES. Jassas has been accepted into a Master program for social work but he must first pass the TOEFL to be able to attend. He has set goals and knows the steps he must take to get to where he wants to be. I believe he will work until he reaches these goals as well. He says he plans to spend at least two years at CIES to pass the TOEFL. With the language barrier it is difficult to understand all of the steps he must take and his exact plan, but I know he really wants to take part in the Master's program and work in either America or return to Saudi Arabia.
Jassas has improved in his speaking abilities since we first met at Starbucks. He has improved in not only some new vocabulary, but more in understanding how English speakers express themselves and how to understand body language. Being surrounded by English speakers has helped improve his understanding and fluency in English. Jassas still has a very long way to go to pass the TOEFL, but he has an intense drive to make it to the Master's program. I hope he continues to feel comfortable in Tallahassee throughout the coming sessions and finds friends to make his time in America bearable. I couldn't imagine being so far from home with such a far off goal. I wish him all the success in the world.
It is humbling when you think of the sacrifices the students go through. This makes your support all that more important.
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