I had been wanting to see what a student's dorm room looked like on campus for some time now and finally got around to making plans with some girls I talked with at English Corner last week. I just wanted to stop by, look around, ask some questions and take some pictures, but the four girls of room 502 in West Campus had other ideas. They wanted me to come early in the morning so we could hang out before class. I probably received about 8 text messages and two phone calls the night before just to make sure everything was a go. I could tell the students were really excited and I felt bad because I didn't want to make it a big deal or have them clean or go to any extra work when they are already really busy, but it was not to be so.
Ophelia waited outside building 59 for me in the morning and then walked me over to her dorm sending several text messages and answering phone calls along the way to confirm that yes, we were on our way and would arrive shortly. The girls that I were meeting lived on the fifth floor of a nicer (I think) dorm on campus. They live four to a room and have their own bathroom inside the room as well. Each room has four desks, two bunk beds and four wardrobes. When we arrived, I was greeted by a herd of female students who wanted to "play" before class (all of the foreign teachers and I are trying to switch this overused/misused word with more appropriate alternatives like "hang out" or "spend time with" but we are not having much success). They had snacks out on their desks for me that they had bought the night before and a hot cup of instant coffee ready to go. I was really moved by all the preparations they went to and felt bad that I really didn't have much to offer them besides coffee morning breath, English conversation and picture opportunities. This, as it turns out, is all that you need to entertain 15 female juniors for two hours before class. If there are a variety of stuffed animals around that is even better.
We took loads of pictures, with my camera, with their phones and cameras, in different poses, in different combinations, in different parts of the room, hugging alternate stuffed bears and bunnies and with jackets on and off etc. It was an experience to remember. I had a lot of fun and it was really neat to see how and where my students live. Everything was so organized and clean because they have room inspections at least once a week. They are not allowed to have anything electric in their rooms (ie water heater pots, hair dryers, curling irons, electric blankets) and the electricity is shut off at 11pm. Students have to be in their dorms at 11pm as well. On the way out you could see rows and rows of thermoses that the students use to store the hot water they use for drinking.
It was cool to see a girls' dorm and I hope I will also be able to see a boys' dorm (they can be hard to enter if you are a girl) as I hear that some boys live six to twelve to a room. That's pretty different from my Hope College dorm room with one roommate, TV, mini fridge, loft beds, hot plate and heater - pure luxury!
It reminds me of my school days.....So familiar....