I anxiously check my phone. 5:15 PM. I’m fifteen minutes early so there’s no need to worry yet. At 5:30 a green WhatsApp notification lights up my screen. Francisca, my Convo Partner, tells me that she has arrived at Espresso Royale. I scan the room, taking inventory of the empty coffee shop. I positioned myself with a clear view of the entrance, and there were only two other students in the building, presumably grinding out homework before going out on a Friday night. After asking her to send me her location, I realize that she is at a different Espresso Royale. I offer to meet her somewhere in the middle, but she graciously comes to me.
Like any first meeting, we were naturally a little flustered. We exchanged an awkward hug and ordered some warm drinks. Over a Ginger Dragon tea (me) and a vanilla latte (Francisca), we started to get to know each other. Francisca told me about her family and what it was like to be the only girl with four brothers. She asked me about my sister and lamented about how lucky I am to have a built-in best friend.
In addition to learning about how we grew up, we discussed all the things Francisca wants to do while in the United States. A fellow foodie, Francisca wanted to try American cultural classics like hamburgers, apple pie, and barbeque. One of my favorite places we went to is Cocomero. Cookie dough bites, mango popping boba, and crushed oreos weighed down my already overflowing cup. Never having been to Cocomero before, Francisca eagerly tried a myriad of frozen yogurts and was awed by the selection of toppings. Even though I grew up with frozen yogurt shops on every corner in my hometown in the Chicago suburbs, I am still overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices every single time.
After finally deciding which combinations go together, we headed upstairs and settled into a cozy two-top. Francisca asked me about my Spring Break, and I explained my adventures in Louisiana at a waterski schools with my teammates. She excitedly talked about some of her favorite places that she’s found on campus and some of the friends she’s made so far.
Throughout our time as Convo Partners, Francisca was always invested in me as a student and inquired about my post graduation plans. I was pleased to share the news that I got my dream job of teaching English and will be moving to Legnano, Italy in October. She gave me her insight of being an international scholar in the United States and what it’s like to be so far away from your friends and family and how to build a new community.
As someone who has studied abroad, I understand what it’s like to be in a foreign country and have to start to build a new life, even if it’s temporary. I am so honored to have been a resource for Francisca to help her navigate Champaign-Urbana, U.S. culture, and how to maximize her time here.
