Meeting with Fatema: Day 2

Yesterday I met with Fatema for our second conversation. It was great to see her again. I noticed she was much more comfortable this time, as I was too! We spent the majority of the conversation discussing her history with the English language as well as some fun plans she has for Fall Break to go to Austin with her aunt, uncle, and cousins.

Fatema began learning the English language at a young age in Saudi Arabia. Both of her parents spoke English to her when she was young, which made it a much more natural for Fatema to continue educating herself and getting comfortable speaking English in grade school. When she studied in Australia, she explained that she chose to often sit away from her friends from Saudi Arabia and, instead, sit with classmates from other parts of the world. Her and her classmates would force themselves to only speak English to one another, even if they struggled through some of the phrases. I praised Fatema for this wonderful practice!

Fatema has a  younger sister, 12 years her junior, who is in the process of perfecting her English. Back home, she is attending an American school where the majority of her classes are spoken in English. Fatema says she knows English quite well but struggles with the Arabic language! Their family has a group messaging thread where her sister will often complain and get frustrated when they speak some Arabic that she does not understand! I found this so fascinating. What makes the English language so essential to learn in Saudi Arabia? As for Fatema, she explained that she always wanted to attend university outside of Saudi Arabia, not applying to a single university back home. Instead, she wished to attend school where she would be exposed to new people and new opportunities where English was predominantly spoken.

I still struggle, at times, to follow some of the things that Fatema is trying to say; whether she is speaking too quickly or starting a story from the middle, however, we are able to quickly recover and get on the same page. It's essential to be patient, kind, and respectful in these conversations.

Fatema and her family will be traveling to Austin this weekend which is where I am from. I created a note in her phone with a list of restaurants I hope that she will try; one is home to my favorite breakfast taco in Texas, another serves a scrumptious cheeseburger that is sure to clog your arteries, and another is a well-known Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin. I look forward to meeting with Fatema next week and hearing all about her experience in Austin. It's always fun to discuss your hometown with someone, especially if this is their first visit there! I only wish that I had the ability to go visit Saudi Arabia so that, I too, could get better-acquainted with Fatema and the city that shaped her.