Conversation #3

Setting up a time for our third meeting proved to be a difficult task. After multiple failed attempts and a few days of cancellation because of the ‘2015 Icepocalypse’, Nasrallah and I were finally able to meet after about 3 weeks of not seeing each other. After a little bit of catching up, I decided to gear this third conversation towards Nasrallah’s athletic and academic interests.

             When I asked what sports he likes, Nasrallah replied “My favorite sport to watch is futbol but I don’t like to play it”. Confused, I asked why he loves to watch the games but avoids participating. He then told me that when he was younger he broke his leg during a match. Ouch... I now understood. Nas then went on for a few minutes about how he doesn't understand Americans because we are the only people that call the sport soccer. I was completely amused by his animation towards this topic and agreed with his assertions. I then asked him if he attended any of the TCU football games in the fall.  Nasrallah responded with a “yes”, but then went on to tell me that he doesn’t really understand the game. He does not know any of the rules of American football and was confused the majority of the time. However, he loved the school’s spirit towards the football team and the overall atmosphere within the stadium. He plans on attending all of the homes games next fall. Finally, I asked Nasrallah if he was interested in any other sports. During his free time, Nasrallah enjoys playing billiards, swimming and bowling with his friends. He also conveyed his intent on playing basketball more often so that he can learn the game better and become better. After questioning him for a while, Nasrallah turned the questions towards me and asked me about my specific interests. I told him that I love playing pretty much every sport but my favorite was definitely soccer. Then, we made a plan to go to the recreation center sometime so I could help him learn how to play basketball.

             Academically, Nasrallah’s main focuses revolve around chemistry and space. His dream job would be with NASA, but for now he plans on finding a job that is hospital-related or similar to his previous job. Before coming to America, Nasrallah worked in Saudi Arabia for an American-based company, Baker Hughes. In Saudi Arabia, Nasrallah was an electrical and radioactive technician for just over a year. Baker Hughes is an oil drilling and manufacturing company and, interestingly enough, is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Nasrallah says that he would work for them again, if that’s what he ends up doing upon graduation from TCU. He has been in the intensive English program at TCU for 1.5 years now. He is also taking a Math course through the program and has another 3.5 years left before completion. Just like earlier, Nasrallah asked me questions pertaining to my specific academic interests.

             Through these first three meetings, I truly feel like Nasrallah and I are becoming real friends, not just people who meet for a class. In fact, we have had multiple encounters with each other just walking around campus and always greet one another and talk for a few minutes. I am learning more and more about Nasrallah and his interests each meeting and enjoying this assignment even more than I previously thought.