During my first semester I took ESOL, English for Speakers of Other Languages, 101.

I was born and raised in the U.S. and I have always been a student in its public education system. When I was choosing classes, I heard about ESOL, which promised to better my writing skills. However, I heard about the stigma surrounding ESOL courses: that it was a course for people who cannot speak English, or it is only for international students. Well, I well as speak another language, and I am not an international student. But, don’t all students need to speak English to get admitted into Hamilton College?

I found out there is more to learn in ESOL than just learning how to write American academic essays. In Don Miguel Ruiz’s book,

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

, he emphasizes the following four agreements: speak with integrity, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. I learned that if I had made assumptions and acted upon them, I would have regretted not taking both ESOL courses. In this class, I have had the opportunity to write essays about the role of discrimination in various social movements.

There is more to ESOL than the stigma associated with purportedly lacking proficiency in English. As liberal arts students, we have to be open-minded so we do not allow stereotypes to stop us from seeing what is beautiful and real in a multiracial, multicultural, multilingual population. We are prone to base generalizations on insufficient evidence from people who think they are “experts.” However, I decided for myself that the choices I would make when taking into account the speculations, which I perceived to be just generalizations.

Professor Britt Hysell, Director of the English for Speakers of Other Languages Program, continues to do a wonderful job. The course would not be as effective as it is if it were not for the efforts put into the program. I appreciate the fact that she will be my writing guide for all four years at Hamilton College. It means that there is an individual who will guide me on the right path and unconditionally aid me in my struggles.

I understand that there are to certain cultures. She has taught me to “accept” people rather than “tolerate” them, and that it is easy to see differences, — simlarities and make connections despite those differences. I was enlightened and astounded at the impact on how perspective is fashioned.

These are the kind of moments which I felt I truly learned something, that a lightbulb not only turned on, but it shined into the darkest corners of my brain. There is much to learn about being an individual and living during this time when discrimination and violations of human rights are rampant. I would like to change how I think in order to change how I act, talk, and write. Maybe, something simple results when done collectively.

ESOL has helped me develop a different way of thinking that is open to ideas and other perspectives. I have developed I do not need a grade to tell me my writing. In essence, there is a slight personal freedom that I get when I write my papers: I have a voice.

There is no typical ESOL student. I do not take it personally when someone quizzically comments: “You’re in ESOL?!” It is my choice to continue working in the ESOL program, because in everything I do, I strive to always do my best.

‘From Where I Sit’ is a column dedicated to international students’ voices. If you are interested in contributing a piece, contact Features editors at [email protected]