Finally, in Riyadh

After finishing my study at USC Language Academy, I decided to spend the rest of my time with my family, so I bought a ticket on Fly Emirates to Riyadh on December 25th (The Christmas Day) ^^. I chose Fly Emirates because almost all European airports were closed for the bad weather; otherwise, Fly Emirates would be my last choice for travelling. The flight from Los Angeles to Dubai was about 16 hours, and it would be a nightmare for people who don't sleep on airplanes, but I managed to sleep for couple of hours during that flight. Actually, when the plane took off, I slept for a while and I thought that we were flying over Europe, but in fact, we didn't cross the US boards ^_^!

In order to consume more time (you can say "waste time" ^^), I watched TV Series and movies. I was lucky for finding two movies that I didn't have a chance to watch them in movie theaters which are "Clash of the Titans" and "The Expendables". For being a fan of Greek Mythology stories and Bruce Willis, I was eager to watch these movies ^^. After that, I watched "Everybody Loves Raymond" although I am not a big fan of this TV series, but I started like since that moment. Maybe I will order the whole series in the future ^^.

When the plane landed on Dubai international airport, I found it a good opportunity to exercise my body a little bit, have a good lunch, and do some shopping. Frankly, I just bought some chocolate for my family because they love it so much, and I didn't like to go back with empty hands ^_~!. After spending four hours in the airport, I prepared myself for the next flight.

Since I arrived, I was invited to many parties, and actually, I am typing right now after coming home from one of these parties ^^, but even if that I may spend my whole vacation in parties, I'll love to be with my precious family and friends. I don't know what I am going to do on next days, but I am sure that I will do my best to use every minutes wisely.

Shelly Westebee

Believing in my ability to speak English in front of international students and native speakers was my first goal that I wanted to achieve, and I don't think that I can achieve it without Shelly Westebee's support. Shelly Westebee was my Oral Skills level 4 teacher in Spring 2010 at USC Language Academy. She has a Phd degree and worked in many countries around the world especially in east Asia. Her skills and knowledge were more than enough to encourage us to do our best in class; moreover, she has various information about many cultures such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic which helped her and us to communicate and understand each other faster.

What is amazing about her class is that students go to the class without a need to overdo or overthink what they asked to do, just do your best. After spotting her reactions to my classmates suggestions and opinions on some aspects or issues that are related to assignments, I realized that Shelly is open minded for giving each one of us the opportunity to express opinions without the fear of making mistakes which buttressed our efforts and raised the level of competition between us inside the class.

As a result of encouraging students to participate and contribute in the class, I found myself giving opinions in many topics and cases that I didn't use to participate in. I rarely do that because of my quiet nature, but I am glad to break the silence barrier ^_^!. I bet my classmates noticed my enthusiasm in last weeks.

In addition, I will not forget how she received my objections when I refused to do a specific scene that we had to perform in front of all language academy students, faculty, and staff. With a smile, she accepted my objections while some of my friends tried to persuade me as long as they were going to perform the same scene ^_~. She didn't argue me and respected my reasons, and I really appreciate her for doing that.

I really loved to be one of Shelly's students, and I consider myself lucky to get the chance to learn from her. There is a common proverb in my culture says, "You will realize the value of things when you lose them." From the first moment, I knew Shelly's value and intelligence, and for me, there is no need for a second to think about that ^^!

My Masters

Finding information is an easy task just go to a library, grab a book, and start reading, or make a search on the Internet, but if this is your way of learning, I can tell you that you miss the most important element in this formula which is the teacher. I always believe that distance education can't replace traditional education for teachers' influence on students in classes and their way of passing the information. It is like setting down with a person who has more experience, knowledge, and information in life and he/she is ready to pass all these data in his/her mind to you with a smile ^^!. This post is not about a comparision between distance and formal education, but it is about the importance of teachers and the credit that we should give to them.

I can't imagine that in one day I will say something bad about a person who deserves to be called a teacher, because I am sure that there are many teachers and professors who don't give any care about their students and don't value their noble task to educate generations. In my undergraduate study, I had bad experience with some professors who insult and disrespect their students. For example, I got an F in the last semester because the professor didn't correct my paper and went on a vacation to London which caused a drop in my GPA, so I had to take the course again and I got a B+. This experience was the main reason behind refusing completing my high education for the unfair treatement that I got in my previous study. I hope that none of my friends or any students will experience what I experienced.

However, since I came to the United States especially to USC Language Academy, I have realized that there are different types of teachers that can inspire anyone and change him completely. This doesn't mean that I didn't have great teachers, but they don't have that kind of impact or influence on students. OK, they are knowledgeable and skilled, but there is something missing, and that missing part I found it here in USC LA teachers. Some of my friends when they see me talk about my teachers, they say that I exaggerate although that I state facts not fairy tales ^^!.  I don't think that I exaggerate when I say that Shelly Westebee made me believe in myself and don't fear of doing presentations or speeches in front of my classmates. I don't think that I exaggerate when I say that Katie FitzSimons taught me how to a professional speaker and debater. I don't exaggerate when I say that Sonja Lovelace gave me keys to unlock writing essays locks. I don't exaggerate when I say that Lindsey Pilgreen's style of teaching is remarkable and outstanding that I have ever seen, and each time I hear someone says, "Put it on the back burner", "You beat around the bush", or "He is killing me", I recall that great class in Summer semester, Idioms. I don't think that I exaggerate when I say that if I want a wish to be granted, I will say have another class with Priscilla Caraveo. If there is something hard or difficult in your class, Priscilla C. will make it easy and simple. I still remember a handout that she passed it to us in her Grammar class in Spring semester which was explained clearly by her, and I relied on that handout in the subsequent semesters. Her Oral Skills 601 class was so interesting and great that she added her touches on my performance and made it perfect. Now, do you think that I was exaggerating?

Unfortunately, I have many things to say about them, and although that I told them how much I am grateful for what they did to me, I still have many things to say ^^!. They are so great that when I try to talk to them, I become speechless and start saying things different from what I planned to say. In the Thanksgiving event in 29 Cafe, I had a conversation with Katie FitzSimons about my future, and when she sensed that I am not comfortable about moving to Ohio, she said, "Don't worry Abdulaziz. You are gonna meet great teachers and professors over there. Everything is gonna be Ok." I am 100% sure that if I know that I am going to have teachers have 50% of Katie's personality, I will be happy. Anyway, one post for all USC LA teachers is not a good idea, so just wait upcoming posts ^_^!.

My first days at USC Language Academy

Attending my first classes in USC Language Academy wasn't a remarkable experience that I would like to experience again. For being nervous in the first day, I couldn't act normally with my new classmates and teachers. There was nothing wrong with them, but it was me. I bet it is because of my new journey and adventure to get a master degree and meet new people from various countries and cultures. In my opinion, it is easy to introduce yourself to others, but it is a little bit hard to communicate with them, so I was cautious at the beginning because I don't how Chinese, Koreans, and Europeans cooperate and have conversations in classes. What kind of languages do they use? Do they use their native languages or English? If they speak English, what kind of vocabulary words do they use? Are they simple words or difficult? How do they communicate with teachers? Is it like the way that I use to treat my teachers or not? Is it a formal or informal relationship?

Many questions were in my mind at that day which caused to malfunction in my brain for a while ^_~. In my culture, we have a proverb says, "To be safe, be cautious" and that is exactly what I did. I kept silence and watched how my classmates ecnounter with each other or with teacher, and the only way to hear my voice is to be called and asked by teachers ^^. However, my participation in classes changed dramatically after receiving my midterm grades in TOEFL Reading & Writing class. Barbra Holmes, the wonderful Barbra, gave me B in effort, and actually I deserve less than B because I barely contribute in her class, and I remember my friend Feras when he said to me, "Abdulaziz, you should participate more and more." Since that moment, I decided to contribute more, express my opinions without hesitation, and show people from different countries around the world the manners, values, and principles that I have been raised on.

Before I publish this post, I love to state some facts about some of my beloved friends:

• The first person I met in USC Language Academy was Schuyler Smith (A.K.A Sky) who is a very kind and gorgeous person that anyone on the Earth would love to meet.
• The first friend of mine in the academy was Yousif Alzarooni from UAE. Yousif is funny and lovely, and I always tell him that I am glad to be his friend.
• The friend that I laugh when I am with him is Ahmed Alamoudi. Even though he is funny and sarcastic, he is a good and hard student (hard worker). He always does his best in classes and create a healthy environments for people around him. I can't imagine that a student will be sad if Ahmed is his friend.
• The friend that I spent most of my time with was Haitham Aljahdali. Haitham is very nice and gentle, and he always cares about his friends and tries to solve their problems. I am quite sure that he is going to enter a Phd program soon. Fight on Haitham.
• The friend that I love to hear him/her when he/she talks is Amy Saiji Li. She has the British accent, and each time she speaks, I recall the Princess Diana (don't ask me why ^^) because her accent. Amy is so great and she is a good friend to have, and I believe that she has the ability to achieve and do whatever she wants.
• Claire Chen is simply the best. She was my classmate in Spring, Summer B, and Fall semesters. Being one of her friends is like granting a wish. I still remember her when she entered the Grammar class and sang "Happy Birthday" in front of me. She cared of my birthday although that I don't care about it. It is a sign of the pure heart of the most charismatic student that I have ever met.
• Many friends of mine I didn't mention in this post, but I will tribute to them in future posts. Don't worry ^^!

This post should be in January instead of December, but I didn't have time for blogging, so sorry for that ! This blog is designed to show how much I am thankful for my international family. feel free to comment on it ^^!