the BLANC from the blog

Just as a threatening but harmless dark cloud overtook the blistering heat, the classes of 2010/2011 trickled into the gated courtyard of our Universite. What the afternoon had in store would be a brief but entertaining orientation session.  Unnerved by the thought of an initial meet and greet in kreyol I postponed my entrance as long as possible. I had hoped to deliver my introduction with confidence and successfully establish myself as a respected teacher. Attempting to do so in kreyol would no doubt produce an eruption of laughter followed by jokes.  Almost all of these 350 students would be taking one of my 4 English classes, and the majority were at least my age or older.  Upon realizing my hesitation, the dean of the school encouraged me to interact en anglais!  The students were not only responsive to my American introduction, but genuinely excited.  Relief set in, and so did the confidence.  I was at ease…almost. 

Soon we were gathering under a covered pavilion and to my surprise everyone immediately flocked to sit around me, the Blanc.  As Pere Ajax, the Universite administrator, began to ramble swiftly I was once again at a complete lose with the exception of being aware that my name was being frequently interjected in his speech. As quickly as I recognized his mention of me, I noticed all eyes dart in my direction.  Repeatedly he returned to the topic of English and the Blanc teacher.  I eventually came to realize this was the reiteration of how fortunate my presences was for their university.  “There are many many English teachers in this town. They are all Haitian, but ours…Ours is from the United States.” He echoed proudly.  My lack of kreyol was a bonus in their eyes, requiring the students to, at all times, speak English with their kreyol-impaired teacher, and as a result, perfecting their conversation skills.  The students graciously welcomed me periodically throughout the afternoon, most often inquiring about my marital status.  As the orientation came to a close, I was approached one last time.  The girl was small, her frame petite, her smile enormous, and her English understandable.  She articulated that she had no explanation but upon seeing me she felt we had been long time friends.  As she spoke the words I felt it too.  Perhaps it was the lack of my having shared an English speaking interaction with another person in almost a week, or perhaps we really are destined to be zanmi.  Regardless, the comfort and excitement I received from meeting my students provided me with a burst of energy and creativity which I have been desperately craving after a week of pouring over my kreyol English dictionary! 

I hope you enjoy this Architecture In Helsinki song as I think it will be the inspiration for my next vocabulary lesson!

Scissor Paper Rock by user2355813

by Architecture In Helsinki