ESL Team at Sacred Heart University

Reading the Names

As I read the names at graduation a few weeks ago, I was delighted to see so many ESL students graduating from Sacred Heart with their Bachelors and Graduate degrees. I have so many memories of these students arriving 4 years ago, with little or no English. And now look at them. I am so proud of them all. Many had difficulties adjusting to American culture, finding good restaurants, or figuring out the laundry facilities in their new buildings. But they persevered and as a result they graduated. Many had families in attendance who traveled from so far away to see the ceremony of graduation. The stands were filled with good cheer and smiles. It was a great pleasure to be part of the biggest celebration of the year. Congratulations to everyone. 

 

A challenging Day!

Last week I pledged to wear the Hijab scarf for an entire day. I was excited to select a lovely pink color scarf. I had thought that it would be tricky to put on my head, but the student who put it on me, had it firmly in place in seconds. 

I was immediately self-conscious. I didn't feel like I was myself! I missed my bouncy curls moving around my head. I felt the scarf around my neck and my ears and it felt restrictive. I headed back to my office and back to work. 

An interesting thing happened. I forgot about the head scarf being on my head and it became more comfortable as the day wore on. I felt that it was expressing part of my personality and I was enjoying the pinkness all around my head. 

The day passed quickly. I drove home. I wondered if others were noticing me as I drove and I was conscious about the feelings that Muslim women must feel when they are in public. Do they feel slighted? Do they feel "looked at"?

I arrived home. The dog went crazy barking at my head covering and he didn't like it at all! 

I had to take it off a little early for the sake of the dog! I realized that I had not worried about my hair for hours. It felt cold to remove it. I instantly missed it. 

A wonderful experience! I am glad I did it.