Benjamin_CP_#1

Date/Time:1/18/15
Location:Starbucks
Topic discussed: Introduction to each other, CIES classes, etc
Cultural and/or linguistic topic:

For my first conversation partner session, I met with Soud at the Starbucks on Tennessee Street. I thought these CP sessions would be easier than the tutoring, but I quickly found out that, when you don't have material to cover, it can be hard to fill an hour. The conversation partners expect you to lead the conversation, and it can be hard because it seems to forced when you ask inane questions in an attempt to get to know them.

Soud is nice guy, but seemed awkward, like he didn't want to be there. We talked about CIES, about Kuwait, where he is from, and several other topics. He asked if I was married and when I said no, he asked why not, and when I told him I did not want to get married, he seemed surprised. He told me he had a girlfriend in Kuwait, but would probably not marry her. He also said he would get married around age 24 or 25. We talked about movies. His favorite genre is action. I told him I like action sci-fi movies, but he seemed to not know what sci-fi was, so I suggested he check out Men in Black and Independence Day.

We did end up talking for over an hour, and I realized he was waiting for permission to leave. He wanted to go buy a car! I had another Kuwaiti kid cancel a session with me so that he could go buy a car. I wish I could have bought a car when I did an intensive language course in Germany. Must be nice.