Making connections

During English class, we are given a challenge called the new media 11 challenge, we are given a partner randomly, with the groups of 2-3. Then, we are allowed to spread to the whole school to start our conversation. My partner was Jade, who was sitting at the corner of the classroom. For me, as an international student, I didn’t know anyone of the students in the class; everything has become so unfamiliar. I am stressed out and feeling scared. I find it nerve-racking to talk to strangers. But then I still move on and accepted the challenge. After I met her, we both agreed to head to the library, finding an empty and quiet room for us two.

At a later time, we started to introduce ourselves and I started to get to know more about my partner. The thing that surprised me is that I am not the only one who feels nervous and scared about this project.  But then Jade stated that she has the same feeling too. Before this project, I think that most Canadians are outgoing and sociable, which is the opposite of me.

In the conversation, I learn that she is realistic, a girl with a simple and clear mind. She is a self-aware person. Loyalty is the thing she values the most in a friendship. She thinks finding the passion for doing something is the most important in life as well as health and family. She wishes to fix the poverty problem in order to make the world a better place. Moreover, the person she admires is Cher, who is an American singer and actress and she wants to have a conversation with her. The best gift she has received is her necklace which her father gave her, she doesn’t receive a bad gift ever, as she thinks that people who do give gifts are in good intention.

Through this challenge, I have learned that although we are different in many different aspects, we still have something that is common and we can have the same opinions sometimes, this shows that human stills connect if they share their own thoughts and views, digging in each’s others story is important instead of just looking the surface with the ‘single story’. Besides, we should also take a step forward to approach different people but not staying quiet to make connections.