They sometimes complain about what they used to have, about how different life and school are here, and about how life back "home" is easier. Today I challenged them to think about what they appreciate more about returning here, what's they've learned, and even what they like about this city.
Here are a few of their answers, exactly as they wrote them (a few of the answers are what they now appreciate, or took for granted, living in the West, not what they appreciate about living here):
Things I've Learned to Appreciate Since Returning
1. Teachers
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken
3. Being accepted as a human being without paying attention to gender.
4. Starbucks
5. Free Speech
6. I can actually read and write in my own language! (weird, how sometimes I feel proud of this)
7. Life is not only about having fun, there are more serious (and more important) things that matter WAY MORE! (like being a good person/being a better sister and daughter/thinking about what you believe/perseverance/trust and loyalty).
8. Freedom
9. Electricity
10. Every second of every minute of my life
Things I Like Here
1. Being different from most others (another thing to appreciate: IT'S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT!!!)
2. Having my family around 24/7
3. Friends
4. Lack of English Speakers
5. Free stuff at our family owned stores
Things I've Learned
1. I've learned that I'm very blessed by having what I have.
2. I've learned it's okay to not be skinny.
3. I can understand now why my mom wouldn't let me do the things she wouldn't let me do.
4. I've learned to enjoy women's rights (where given).
5. I've learned to appreciate teachers who care.
6. I've got to spend a lot more time with my family and by doing that learned about trust, loyalty, and love.
One of the students added this at the end:
"P.S. Thanks for having us do this, it's given me a better 'view' of life here. I'll try not to compare everything with the past anymore"
