I was in a cab today, and this man spoke decent English. Whenever people ask me where I'm from, I always say Canada. No one hates Canada, so while I haven't run into a problem with being American, I also don't want to. He proceeded to tell me that he lived EIGHT YEARS in Pennsylvania. Eight years is a really long time to speak as poor of English as he did. He worked in customer service, too, both at the airport, and then working at a gas station.
It is really discouraging to be where I'm at, with, actually, not even a year and a half of actual real language study, and I feel like it will be so long before I am a good speaker. Reality checks may at time be necessary, but they are NOT fun. I've been really tired all day, so I know that I am not on top of my game for my classes. I have so much on my plate, and I have to keep reminding myself to very carefully budget my time. I am NOT here for political science classes, and am only sort of here for an internship. These things I can get at home. I am here to speak Arabic, and I keep getting too wrapped up in the wrong things. This leaves me lacking sometimes with my Arabic. It is really frustrating.
To further frustrate me, my internship is not going great today. So far, I have accomplished more in the time I've been here then the other employees have in the last six months. They just don't do anything, and I was told when I got here that they have a reputation for this kind of thing. My supervisor told me I should carefully make friends with them, and then "impress upon them my American work ethic." I don't know exactly how to do that without trying to lead by example. I just met these people, so I can't just tell them that they are doing everything wrong, or they are screwing off far to much of the time. So, I've gotten a ton done, and I was told today that I need to have the girl I work with submit these projects I've completed. This means that I do all the work, get none of the credit...and if she does what she always does and screws around and just doesn't forward the email, then I get in trouble. I am so frustrated, and so today, they don't have anything for me to do. I decided to not even try to find something to do and just study. My supervisor was supposed to meet with us, and then she decided she wanted to go home. So, I'll get my hours in, but I'm just going to sit by myself here and study. I am not in the mood to try an coax Hebah to do her job, or even to do her job for her, and then coax her to take the credit. I'm really, really done with this place today.
To further frustrate me, my internship is not going great today. So far, I have accomplished more in the time I've been here then the other employees have in the last six months. They just don't do anything, and I was told when I got here that they have a reputation for this kind of thing. My supervisor told me I should carefully make friends with them, and then "impress upon them my American work ethic." I don't know exactly how to do that without trying to lead by example. I just met these people, so I can't just tell them that they are doing everything wrong, or they are screwing off far to much of the time. So, I've gotten a ton done, and I was told today that I need to have the girl I work with submit these projects I've completed. This means that I do all the work, get none of the credit...and if she does what she always does and screws around and just doesn't forward the email, then I get in trouble. I am so frustrated, and so today, they don't have anything for me to do. I decided to not even try to find something to do and just study. My supervisor was supposed to meet with us, and then she decided she wanted to go home. So, I'll get my hours in, but I'm just going to sit by myself here and study. I am not in the mood to try an coax Hebah to do her job, or even to do her job for her, and then coax her to take the credit. I'm really, really done with this place today.
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