“So, how are you managing now that jet lag has run its course?
“In your early moments of being in the U.S., what was it like? Any surprises? Challenges?”
Serving up such questions, I discovered, helped ease the landing for new student arrivals, especially those who had never traveled outside their homeland.
Thoughtful queries delicately placed became bridge-building tools in nurturing further relationship. They also yielded an intriguing range of responses. One visit with a young scholar from the Indian subcontinent retains its near-the-top spot of my unforgettable list.
“Dheeraj*, how was your arrival to the U.S? Anything stand out?” His response was instant, and his shy laughter signaled I was in for a story. Offering an assuring smile, I gestured he had the floor.
“Well, the flight had been long. I was getting hungry when we landed at LAX, Los Angeles.
“After passing through Customs and Immigration, I found a sandwich shop along the corridor. There was plenty of time ahead of my connecting flight leaving for Tulsa.”
Dheeraj paused and offered a light chuckle before continuing. By now I was hooked on the unfolding narrative. Clearly something was up!
“Of course, I had never visited an American eating place. At the counter, I made my purchase – a sandwich, along with a soft drink. I was so mindful that I was a first-time visitor, a stranger to this place. Soon I became very worried that my presence here was not received well. I feared that as an outsider I was not at all ‘welcome’”.
Dheeraj gave another self-conscious and, to my relief, good-natured chuckle. Which led moments later to a stream of laughter erupting from us both.
©2023 Jerry Lout