During the event, we even had some breaks. The speaker and the some of the RCA's tossed large beach balls out into the audience and we all had a lot of fun tossing it around. We also had a fun activity interacting with the people around us. We had to look into each other's eyes and try not to laugh. What a difficult task to do! I definitely cannot keep a straight face.
The only thing I have to criticize about the event is how rude the people sitting behind me were. They were speaking a different language, so I think it is safe to believe that they are from another country. It is best that I could not understand what they were saying. I have complete respect for people who travel a long ways from home, especially from another country, in order to attend Cornell University for the summer. It is a wonderful opportunity. However, I do not think that the students seated behind me had the right attitude or even displayed an ounce of the desire to be at Summer College. They completely disrespected the speaker and were incredibly disrupted those around them. It is absolutely ridiculous that they took an event which provides ample assistance for the survival of Summer College for granted.
Tomorrow is finally the first day of classes. I have been waiting for this since my acceptance into the Ivy League program. I have just finished my study session with Yueming and Stacy. We looked over the reading assignments that are expected to be completed by tomorrow. Looking through it all, I feel much more prepared. At first, I thought I would have no foundation to work on, since we did not have much of a pre-assignment besides researching different hotel chains. I am glad that we bought our course packets and got right to work whenever we had a chance.
From the testimonials I read from students that also participated in the hotel program, I know that I am going to get a run. We will have no midterm and no final, but we have various projects, quizzes, and presentations to work on. Considering our schedule is from 8:30AM to 9:00PM, I know we will be working consistently and rigorously. Nerveracking, right? Well, I am proud to say I am ready. I knew from the start that I will be putting myself to work day in and day out with this program, and that is what I am prepared for. This is part of the college life and is something I have been waiting since my acceptance to experience. I am nervous, but excited at the same time. I really cannot wait to see what we will have in store tomorrow.
~Louisa
Louisa,
ReplyDeleteI read with interest your comments about the students sitting behind you and what you perceived as rudeness. I'm sure I would have reacted similarly with the exception that I might have turned around, stared them right in their collective eyes and made a POLITE comment requesting that they behave.
I'm sure that you already know this but some cultures have different takes on how to behave around others. For instance, in China spitting is perfectly acceptable .In Japan, you hand your business card to someone with both hands and the recipient had better not put it in their back pockets. In the Middle East you're expected to burp after your meal to show how much you appreciate the fine food.
What's important, though, is that before you ever go into someplace foreign you had better find out what the customs are for the place you're going so you can assimilate and blend in without creating an international incident.
I'm guessing that until the day you die you'll remember the rudeness of those students. Just like you are the ambassadors of our community, they're the ambassadors of theirs and right now you will walk away having a very negative impression of wherever they're from.
Imagine how you might feel if your classmates went home thinking that Herculeans were rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate and ungrateful? Knowing you all the way I do, I'm betting that everyone you meet will be asking how they can vacation and spend some time in beautiful Hercules.