ENGL 1004

Joseph Samara
Aug. 31, 2010

Thinking about the Content

1) Zhaos childhood was fulfilled with trouble and depression. She
specifies this feeling by addressing that her parents couldnt
finish high school and that her mother was working in a low-level
sanity job. A typical Yale student lives his/her life with good
parents, mostly educated, they study to fulfill their dreams and
desires, with their parents help, that is. Although Zhao was not
well educated and didnt know English, she could manage to go
study to the foreign country.
2) Zhao found the College life different to that of the Chinese school
system because in China, the teachers just want students to
memorize the correct interpretation of the word, to memorize
and get a basis on other languages. The American system was
based on understanding the topic.
3) Zhao became determined for her writing, and she went to a
writing tutor for help, asked the professors a lot of questions, and
ask for help in note-taking in class.
Personal Response
1) Honduras culture is very diverse, it has many little pieces of
everyones culture, and therefore I dont feel coming to College
as a complete shock. I do miss my family, but I know that you
have to do what you have to do. Ive felt alienation though, I just
have about six new friends and I dont know how to speak to
them properly.
2) When I was in high school, I had this Spanish teacher, we
couldnt communicate well, and by this I mean that I didnt like
her so much, and vice versa. I handled the situation by speaking
to her clearly of what I felt and that I didnt want that to mess up
my grade. I took the bull by the horns, as people say, and got
into business with moderating my attitude towards her. I dont
think I couldve managed the situation another way because
things ended peacefully between the two of us.
3) After Zhao finishes school, she talks about changing her degree
to that of a Yale Law School student. This decision is altered by
her roommate, which is very intelligent and is attending her first

ENGL 1004
Joseph Samara
Aug. 31, 2010
year in Law School. After she debates with herself, she knows
that all she ever wanted was to be a journalist. I want to be a
business administrator because my father is one, and I love
numbers. My family is very business oriented, therefore I am a
suitable person to continue the job as a business manager.