Imane : It was really interesting. We got the opportunity to communicate. It was different because in public schools in general, they don’t let you speak your mind and say whatever you want to say. You really have to pay attention to what you are saying, but at the A.L.C. you are able to express yourself freely. And that’s what I liked the most. I also had the opportunity to participate in the public speaking competition ; I was the youngest one, and I was stressed and shy, but now I like to speak in public.
Imad : How would you describe your personality ?
Imane : I like challenges, adventures, and communicating. I can be a nice person , but when people are not nice to me, I’m not a kind person any more. I am open and accept other cultures and differences.
Ghizlane : What is your greatest achievement ?
Imane : When I was in E.N.C.G.-a national school for trade and management in Settat- I was the vice-president of SIDAYS. This association held an event for one week about Sida in 2013. In the first days, we held a conference and the members were ranging from governmental representatives to doctors. Then, we had a comedy show. After that, we had a big concert in which many famous Moroccan singers performed. We ended the event by organizing a race. This event took a lot from us. At first, people did not believe in us because we did not have much experience as students. We had to convince sponsors to fund this event. We faced many problems to organize this huge undertaking such as getting authorization. This was a great accomplishment.
Imad : What are you most proud of ?
Imane : I do not think that I have achieved much , maybe because I am trying my best to do whatever I believe in. I think I am proud that I am following my own conviction and not doing something because everybody is doing it.
Ghizlane: What are you most afraid of ?
I am afraid of not achieving my goals, for I have a huge list of things that I want to accomplish before I die. I am also afraid of not being there for my family, and not living the life that I want to live.
Ghizlane : If you could give young people a piece of advice, what would it be ?
Imane : Live your life. Do what you are passionate about. Try to be more open to the world. Try to meet people who come from different cultures. Do not be afraid of change , change is good. When change comes to you, just take it with both hands. A lot of people are scared of change , it is a natural reaction. Yet, you should make a change in your life by accepting it.
Good bye alc meknes
Lonely and sadly sitting in the corner Nothing in my mind but LEAVING . Leaving those I loved so much Leaving those who gave me Those I have recently known, but it is like forev Lonely with tears in my eyes Hiding myself underneath a smile: A smile that I obtained because of them Thanks and words are not enough. Hugs are big but my arms could not be fair Because you’re bigger than my arms. I’m speechless, keeping myself from drowning deep in sadness. I’m going back to where I was, alone, tired But I’m tired of being lonely I’m tired of being lonely. I’ll take their smiles with me Their laughs in my heart. Their love in my sky and when I feel bad I just need to raise up my head and look beyond . Then the joy will come back again . Thank you for everything you’ve done Sorry if I was not the one you’ve expected me to be. Sorry for saying goodbye . Sorry for my broken life that takes all my true chances away Which stands as a barrier between us. Please keep me in your heart and mind I’ll never ever forget the six months of being with you. I’ll never regret it, never ever Thank you teacher KHADIJA, you just gave me what I truly needed You are all in my heart, my mind, my entire life. I love you all.
MEKNES ,Feb 26,2013 HAMID ARIDAL. Writing Club
Nissrine el houari
.
On a cool fall morning on November 19, 2013 we met NiSSRINE HOUARI at the
American Language Cente-r to get her insights from an ex- ALC student whose studies
led her to the United States of America
Q :
How would you describe youself ?
A : Well as a person, I see myself as an ambitious,
hard working individual who wants to do something good in the world.
Q : How do you
evaluate or determine success ?
A : I believe that success is in determining a task
and completing it and being pleased while doing it. Success for me is not
necessarily how much money you make or how many degrees you have, it’s taking
on a project whatever it is and completing it ,doing good work and being
satisfied with it .
Q : What did
you study exactly in the USA
?
A : When I went to Florida, I studied business .
You have to determine what degree you will study ,have a major and a minor. My
major was finance. Actually,I did two majors instead of a major and minor.
They were finance and management information systems.
Q : How’s life
in America
and what was your first impression about the American society ?
A : America
obviously is very different from here and from the picture we have in our mind. When we are here we usually see the USA from he point of view of music
videos, series, and movies. I remember when I got there , and I was in a small
city I was expecting to see big buildings, a lot of cars, and people, but in
fact, it was a small city and I thought, “ Oh!.....what is this? “ So, at first
the reality is not what you have in mind, especially if you go somewhere
small, not necessarily like New York City or somewhere big, but then you start
dealing with differences like “languages”. Even if you study English here in high school
or at the ALC , when you get there, the language used is completely different.
They speak fast so it was very hard for me at the beginning even though I
studied for four years at the ALC and in
high school. The first day at the university I went home and I cried because I thought I was not
going to make it .
Q: What are the
differences in the school system?
A: In the USA especially in higher education it’s very
independent which means that you are on your own and you have to study
individually. However, they also provide you with a lot of help. If you go to a
university and if it’s not a huge one, the professor takes the time to sit with
you, to review whatever you need because they have office hours which make
them available to studenst. They lend you books that you need and give
you advice for your learning. Over
there, they encourage you and want you to succeed. They do
their best to help you.
Q: How has the
experience of the ALC been useful for you?
A: When I was here before going to the states, the ALC
was kind of a comfortable place where I had fun, I studied English because I
wanted to, not because I had to. They had different learning techniques which
made me connected to the language, in addition to that, it gave me an idea about
American people .
Q: What activities
did you use to do at the ALC?
A: The activities were mostly within the class. At that
time, we didn’t have a lot of clubs as now, but the teaching techniques were good,
just the way we sit, the way the teachers talk to you, the types of exercises
we had. Also, we had extra activities including audio visual and it was very helpful to
me.
Q: How can
students get the opportunity to study in the states?
A: There are a lot of opportunities, personally I have
relatives in the US
and that is how I got there. I know that a lot of universities have
scholarships specifically for international students. Making the connection
is the key. If you have a professor who knows about America or a friend from there or
just go to the net, you’ll get a lot of information about this and
universities have money for international students.
Q: How do they
choose students?
A: You have to have a high school diploma or if you
want to do a higher degree like a doctorate. You need to
take the TOFEL, participate in community service, and write an essay explaining
why you want to be accepted into these universities.
Q: What advice
can you give to Moroccan students?
A: I encourage students to read more because when you
read you enrich your vocabulary and your writing gets better. When you are with
Americans, communicate with them in English, read English books and watch
television in English.