Carlton CP #5

Conversation Partner #3, JO, for second meeting on Monday, April 7, 6:30-7:30pm.

I meet JO at the Atomic Coffee shop on Tennessee. My regular child tutoring was cancelled due to bad weather, so I emailed JO for a substitute meeting since we were having a hard time scheduling. He graciously obliged since the rain had stopped.

He told me about his current worries over being accepted into a Master of law program. I did not really understand this type of degree. He explained that he can already practice law in his country and has, but his interest is in international law. For this he needs the U.S. degree specialty and better English skills. He has applied to two colleges, FSU and a backup at the University ofAlabama. He is very nervous to hear from FSU soon where he has apparently made it to the final round. I ask him about how he chose these programs, and we chat about a few others in Florida or the South. He knew about the rankings and was very clear on his goals. I hope he gets good news.

JO is very mild mannered, has a gentle and respectful disposition, and it is hard for me to imagine him animated in a criminal courtroom setting. His English is more confident and he seems to speak faster than our first meeting a few weeks ago. He likes the CIES program, but will not be staying any longer. I enjoyed talking to him very much. He is a very serious man who seems passionate about serving as an advocate for justice in his country.

Carlton CP #4

Conversation Partner #3, JO, for first meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 6:00-7:00pm.

I meet my new CP at the Strozier library outdoor tables eventually. We trade emails about the Starbucks but I wait inside and he waits outside, so we almost miss each other. The weather is nice for sitting out. We get used to each other talking about family and I show him a few pictures of my home. I learn that he is from Columbia. He seems to be a very serious student and is focused on speaking very deliberately. He is interested in the law, but not in being a lawyer. He wants to earn a Masters in law and assist in the criminal prosecutors office. He is worried like so many about the TOEFL Speaking test. He is looking at a program at University of Alabama that requires a high score, 26+, for this section. So he is smart to be practicing as much as possible.

I am hesitant to comment on the obvious topic of the drug war in Columbia, but we talk about the high rate of violent crime in both countries in general terms. He seems passionate about making a difference back home, and perhaps the American degree will lead to a J.D. in Columbia eventually. We also talked about spring break and he plans to travel out of Florida but was undecided.

JO spoke clearly and had good strategies for filling gaps that I could respond to with vocabulary suggestions, phrases: "it's like…", "how to say…". He also invited correction and paused politely when I was trying to explain a point. He is very friendly, calm and serious. We probably did not laugh, but I think we had a good first meeting that was useful to him.