Laneise says...

As a student worker at the English corner, at first I really did not know what to expect. I knew students would come in to practice their English with me and the other student workers and I also knew the students would come to learn more about the foreign student workers.

However, the opportunities from the English corner have superseded my expectations thus far. Through the English corner, I have had the chance to meet so many wonderful students from all over the beautiful country of Taiwan and also many students from mainland China. I have found that my developing relationships with various students have become a meaningful part of my life and I am sure of theirs too. I am not sure if I have ever met so many people with such amazing personalities as the people I have met here in Taiwan.

Working at the English corner has allowed me to get into the personal lives of many students that being only a classmate or being the foreign student that lives down the hall would not offer me. I have taken notice that a lot of students are very shy and would otherwise probably not approach me without the English corner. The comfortable atmosphere of the corner also makes life very enjoyable for students and workers. The environment is always relaxing, the inside is very clean, and the chairs and couches make for comfy sitting. It is also very spacious.

The first week was a bit difficult and overwhelming at times because there were a lot of students and since we all were just learning each other, as workers, we had to ask a lot of basic questions to the students and it was repetitious. But after the first week, we knew most of our students, their majors, and something about their personal life so afterward the conversations became more interesting and advanced.

I also think that the corner is pressure free which helps to make a better environment for the students, workers, and anyone else. We can get lunch if we need to eat and if we have any complaints or concerns, they are taken care of almost immediately. This means a lot to me as a worker because it helps to make the job more pleasurable.

I have participated in various activities with students I have met at the corner. For example, I have gone to dinner quite a few times with different students, worked out at the gym with one of my students, gone to church service, and traveled to other parts of Taiwan like Jiufen. One of my students has even invited me to their home for dinner one weekend. I am so grateful to have received such wonderful chances to interact with the students and I am thankful to be a worker in the English corner.

by Laneise Haulcy-Collier.