Learning Experiences - Part 2

The second round of exams has come and gone, and I wanted to take this time to look back and reflect upon my learning experiences in the classroom thus far during this spring semester at TCU. I will divide my reflections by particular course and present them in the order in which I attend each class during the week.

Since I last wrote, we have done quite a bit in Literature and Civilizations II. We read a play entitled The Importance of Being Ernest. The protagonist of the story is Jack Worthing, a prominent figure in Hertfordshire. In order to get away and escape his responsibilities, Jack made up a brother named Ernest that he goes and visits in London. In reality, Jack travels to London frequently and pretends to be Ernest so that he can do as he pleases. The story revolves around his love for Gwendolen and his realizing of the importance of his true identity. Next, as a class, we tried to decide on which movie was the all-time greatest comedy film. To do this, we split up into groups and each gave a presentation on the movie that we chose. Anchorman was the overwhelming favorite. Finally, we read a self-help booked called The Comic Toolbox. As its title implies, it supplied us with a number of tools on how to be funny. This class is helping me gain a greater insight into the aspects of life as well as learn what and why things are humorous.

In Financial Management, we have learned how to manage our current assets through the use of short-term financing. We also discussed the time value of money and how a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow due to the possibility of reinvesting at discount rates. Finally, we covered the cost of capital. We talked about the effects one type of financing has on the others. And in order to make a company's cost of financing the cheapest as possible, there needs to be a balance between debt, preferred stock, and common stock financing. All of this information is going to help me succeed in my career path.

The next block of Organizational Management included the topics of communication, groups and teams, and conflict and negotiations. We learned different strategies in order to be more effective in all three areas. Also, we had the opportunity to interview a diverse other in our workplace. This allowed me to gain a greater understanding of how different people feel in their jobs. This class is truly helping me become a better manager.

In Foundations in Business, we continue to work on our group project of managing our sensor company. We do work in all departments: R&D, Marketing, Production, Finance, HR, and TQM. This class really helps people understand how all areas of a business collaborate in order to become profitable.

The second part of Business Law was all about contracts. We learned how to write a contract, what all needs to be in them, and what to watch out for. We also talked about how to enforce contracts and the remedies due if a contract is breached. Business Law is helping me understand the legal side of every business.

The knowledge I am gaining here is setting me up for future successes. I will write you all again after my third round of tests.

Conversation Partner - Meeting 4

Once again, Vanessa and I met in the Rec for our scheduled conversation last Friday. We sat and talked on the benches outside of the volleyball gym. One of Vanessa's friends from Saudi Arabia was there waiting for her ride, and it was interesting to meet her. 

Our conversation began in the same way all of the others had. We got caught up on the events that had transpired in each other's lives since we last met. Vanessa was enjoying the new material they had just started learning in class, and I showed her some of the pictures I had taken from TCU's Spring Game. Since her favorite color is purple, as is mine, she really liked the new uniforms. Vanessa found the new frog-print that is embedded in them rather interesting.

It is quite amazing how our conversations just take off. We don't come to the meetings with a set agenda of items to talk about. Most often, a random statement turns into a thirty minute conversation. This time, it was food. It was 2:00 when we met, and I still had not eaten that day. I complained of being hungry, which led to an in depth discussion of our eating habits. 

Vanessa loves to cook, especially Chinese food. She is constantly consuming fruits, and we had a good laugh over her complaining how American mangos aren't actually mangos. The way she described the mangos from her country really got me craving one. She could not believe my eating routine. I do not ever eat breakfast and usually have my two meals each day at approximately 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. She criticized me on how bad that was for my body, but it's like the only free time I have. And if that wasn't bad enough, I told her about what I actually consume. I never go to the grocery store, and I never cook. I eat fast-food for practically every meal. My oven has been turned on once this semester... Vanessa's jaw dropped to the floor. She was amazed. She also gave me some advice on easy things I could pick up and prepare myself, but I said that it just wasn't worth my time. The eat whatever you can whenever you can American way just didn't make sense to Vanessa. It is just another huge cultural difference between our two countries. She would rather take time out of her day to take care of her body, and I don't care what or even if I eat as long as I get complete my obligations. Who's to say whose routine is better? Hers. It's definitely hers...

Before we concluded our meeting, Vanessa invited me to the IEP's Conversation Partner Social this upcoming Friday. They will have games set up as well as different foods from all over the world. This will be a great opportunity to spend more time with Vanessa as well as meet more of her friends. Who knows, maybe this will be my first step in improving my nutrition. I look forward to it, and will let you all know how it goes.

 

Conversation Partner - Meeting 3

Vanessa and I scheduled our next conversation for Friday, April 10. The morning of, I text her and asked where it would be the most convenient for her to meet. She responded with the TCU Recreation Center, which I found rather odd. It turns out though that the IEP classes are held in the Rec. I had no idea that there were even classrooms in there. That shows you how much I know about my own school...

I knew Vanessa had requested to meet Friday this week rather than our normal Wednesday because she had midterms Tuesday through Thursday. With that in mind, I kicked off our conversation by asking how her exams went. She thought she had done well even though she was still struggling with some grammar aspects of English. And it turns out that the IEP students had spent their entire Friday on a field trip to one of the local animal museums. The trip was a reward for all of the hard work the students had put in so far this semester as well as a much-needed break from their studies. It would be nice if we could do something like that. Anyway, Vanessa was eager to talk about their adventure, so needless to say, the majority of our conversation centered around animals.

Vanessa loves dogs. Growing up in Haiti, she was the owner of six dogs. The animal she hates is snakes. She was shocked to hear that my roommate keeps a snake as a pet. We talked about how creepy it is and the horrifying way in which you have to feed it. She was adamant that there was no way that she could fall asleep with a snake in her house. I told her that I didn't mind very much due to the fact that it was caged. Having been stung while asleep in my bed, one of my biggest fears is scorpions. Vanessa too is not a fan.

We concluded our meeting talking about each other's weekend plans. Vanessa was unaware of the TCU Spring Game that was to take place that night. I invited her to come, but she said that she planned on staying in and watching movies. Not too bad of an evening. Vanessa and I are becoming better and better friends with each and every meeting. I look forward to continually learning more about her as well as her culture.