Assignment: Interview a Classmate and Report on What You Learned

Our second writing assignment was to interview a classmate and ask questions about their native country and their background. This was a further challenge insofar as the students would get a large amount of information they were unfamiliar with, and then have to organize that information into two or three paragraphs. As a class we discussed good questions to ask which would make the information easier to organize. Again, the student responses were very successful, thoughtful, and colorful.

Alina from Ukraine by Tsering Lhamo

   Alina is my classmate and she came from Ukraine. She had to come here leaving her family behind. Her father sent her here because in the Ukraine there is war. In class she told me a little about her background.

   In Ukraine, education is free for all kids until 17 years old but then if you want a degree, you have to pay a lot. Kids in her country start school at the age of six. Also medical treatment is not free, Some medical attention is free or you can get some help from the government, but if you need more, then you have to pay yourself.

   I wondered if she wanted to go back to her country because she didn't choose to come here. She told me here she has more opportunities. Alina has been in Connecticut for six months and she is taking a class to improve her language. She is working here and she told me back in her country it is very hard to get a job that you really want. We got to talk a little bit about each culture and it was so nice to learn new things. I'm happy to have a classmate like her.                   

Ukraine

My Classmate from the Oriente in Ecuador by Paola Arevalo

    Nataly is from Ecuador. She tells me she is from a region called the Oriente located in the east of Ecuador. Oriente does not have seasons but the climate is temperate. She has a favorite river called the Upano. 

   Their typical clothing is a top and skirt for both genders. Oriente is a place of very friendly people. A typical food is Ayampaco. It is a roll of food wrapped in a leaf, and there is a drink called Guayusa with many flowers inside. Nataly says the Oriente is a good place for vacations.

Upano River

My Classmate from the Sierras of Ecuador by Nataly Morales

     Paola and I are from Ecuador but she is from a different region. I am from the east side of the country, and she is from a region in the middle of the country. The climate in her region is cold due to the mountains that contain snow. 

     The people of this region are white-skinned. Men's clothing is pants, shirts and ponchos, and the women wear a skirt, blouse and a poncho. Some of the things that grow most in her region are apples, corn and onions. 

     A popular place in her region is the Cathedral and Flower Square. In the Flower Square you can see all kinds of flowers.

     The traditional food to eat is guinea pig with potatoes and white corn served with rice accompanied with the traditional drink of this region which is Pitimas made of red flowers.

        

Flower Square

My Classmate From Tibet by Alina Chubata

    I had a small trip to Tibet. I have a classmate. Her name is Katrina. She is from Tibet. I have never been to Tibet, but Katrina told me a littel bit about her country, some food,and some traditions.

    Barley is a popular plant in the territory of Tibet and beyond. In this country people cook some dishes from barley. One of these dishes is named Tsampa. This dish is eaten for breakfast in Tibet with butter and green tea.

    The second most popular dish is named Momo. It is a steamed dumping filled with vegetables, sometimes fried until golden brown. Momo is traditionally served with three sauces: soy, garlic, and chili. Traditionally people in Tibet eat food with hands or chopsticks. They do not use a fork or spoon.

    In Tibet the popular religion is Buddhism. I do not know much about this religion, but Katrina told me about one holiday. In Tibetan "Lhabab Duchen" in translation is "Festival of the Descent from Heaven". Lhabab Duchen is an important holiday in Buddhism. This holiday means Buddha comes to earth. When Buddha was born his mother died after 7 days. His mother was in Heaven. When Buddha grew up, he returned to Heaven to teach his mother and other gods. After 90 days (about 3 months) he returned to earth. When she told me about her country, I felt like I had been on a small trip. Thank you very much Katrina!

Tibetan Momo

My Classmate from Haiti by Mona Baquero

     Haiti is a country that believes it's freedom is very important. On Januay 1st, they celebrate their independence with squash soup, music and festivals.

In Haiti a person is free to choose the person that they love and they want to live for the rest of their life. A real problem in Haiti today is the amount of crime, there's kidnapping, robbery and extreme poverty. But it's not an impediment to liberty to be who they want to be and grow up their goals.

    Also it's good to know that they have Haiti's national dish: beef or goat become tasso, while pork becomes griot. Their religion is primarily Catholic, although in some instances it's profoundly modified and influenced through syncretism. All this information shows us that Haiti is a country where people can choose what they want to do live their dream.

Independence Day in Haiti