Tuan Nguyen knows what it is like to feel set apart
from the dominant culture. He came to the United States from his
native Vietnam at age 5, to be immersed in a language he did not
understand.
Later, as a January Term volunteer teaching English in
Mexico, he recalled. "I know how people feel when they can't
converse." Fascinated with Mexico and determined to be proficient
in Spanish, Tuan has worked hard at language. He volunteered to teach
English to janitors at Saint Mary's --- some of whom speak only
Spanish --- and gave up his lunch hour to lead classes. "We study
communication on the job, and words they can use every day," he
explained. He uses materials from the College's Intensive English
Program.
"It's fun for us all," he says of his
information classes. "We're learning from each other. I'm
improving my Spanish." He has recruited two other students to
help. He dismisses this service as minor, but in Tuan others see the
spirit of St. John De La Salle at work in a young student.
Tuan's goal is to become a doctor, and later work as a
missionary. Meanwhile, he works hard at his studies at part-time jobs.
"The finances are the only thing that is hard to deal with at
Saint Mary's," he said. His brother Long is also a student.
_____
_____. "Meeting the Challenge."
1992 - 1993 President's Annual Report.
Saint Mary's College of California - excerpts. (1993),
p. 11.
