Internationalmatt's Blog

Different Continents, Different Countries, Different Cultures- Friendship can reach across Differences

One of the joys of my work with internationals is to watch as people from diverse cultures form friendships. I meet people in my English classes that become friends that we may not think possible. I see it all of the time. In fact I have been marveling as the women in a class I currently teach in the afternoons are forming friendships with each other. One woman from Ukraine had a sick child and missed some classes, so one of the women from Iraq called her to make sure she was okay.

One such friendship that I witnessed was between my friend Neil from Congo and Hyun from Korea. Neil came here as a refugee. He had a Master’s Degree in Economics before he came here, but because of his English Level he worked a labor job for a few years. Hyun was here as a researcher in Microbiology. They  met in my Sunday morning class and rode to church with me every Sunday for a year. They often talked about how to prepare for tests such as the TOEFL or the GRE. Hyun knew Neil wanted to take the TOEFL so when she went back to Korea, she gave Neil some of her books.

me with Hyun and Neil

It is a pleasure to see how people come together even though they are from such diverse places geographically and culturally. I have had numerous events, meals, and classes with people from what seems like different worlds. My classes at church have had people from all over the world with contrasting backgrounds, refugees, international business people, international students, and immigrant workers. They have opened up the world for me. If we take time to get to know people we can experience so much more in life.

dinner at Ruby Tuesdays with friends from America, Brazil, Congo, Germany, Korea and Vietnam

February 5, 2010 - Posted by internationalmatt | Congo friends, Cross Cultural, Cultural Ambassdors, Experiences of international friends, International Friendships, Internationals, Korean friends