While attending ESLI at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, I've learned how to listen, speak, and write English better, but mostly I've learned a lot about myself. This experience has changed my life. For now, the only thing I can say is that I'm thankful to the ESLI staff for being comprehensive and caring. ESLI at McNeese Fall 2004 Sebastian Duque, Cali, Colombia

Duque, Juan Sebastian - Ecuador

Like other college students, after graduating from my university in Vietnam, I looked for a job with the bachelor degree in art, linguistics major. Since I received the Letter of Admissions to McNeese State University, everything in my life has been changing. Hoping to obtain the Master degree in Education, I came to the States. Only one semester at ESLI – McNeese, I have learned more than I thought. Obviously, the first thing is my English has been improved, especially my English communication skills. I am the only Vietnamese in class, so I have to use English everyday to communicate with my classmates. Not only the English communication skills but also writing and note-taking techniques, which I have not been taught when I was an undergraduate. The second thing is discipline. I used to be an unplanned student. I used to wait until the last day to study for my exams. Things have changed. ESLI teachers help us to schedule and keep track of our tests. The last one, which interests me most, is the international friendship among our classmates. My classmates come from other countries, i.e. China, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, but a lot of eastern Asian, so we have so many things in common. Talking with my classmates, I have known more about the countries around Vietnam, such as their cultures, their languages…. What impresses me most is the way we become closer to each other. It seems there is no language barrier between us. The time I have spent with them is one of my happiest times since I came to the States. What I have learned after one semester at ESLI – McNeese is more than those I had learned in any other English classes before. My English skills are improved, I can discipline myself in studying, and I know what international friendship is. I would like to send my thanks to all ESLI teachers who have helped me during my semester at ESLI. Nguyen, Thao Thu - Vietnam

Nguyen, Thao Thu - Vietnam