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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Captain Jason Gordon, a legal officer with Task Force Marne chats with students at Tikrit University, Feb. 25. Captain Gordon and several Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Marne visit the university weekly to help Iraqi students learn English, and build friendships. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Heather Guck, 135th MPAD) |
TIKRIT, Iraq - The site of U.S. Soldiers on the campus of Tikrit University is common, but the Soldiers don't come to secure the university, instead they come to interact with Iraqi students as part of the "Soldier to Student" chat program.
"Soldier to student" chats were developed through partnership efforts between the U.S. State Department Provincial Reconstruction Team, leaders and administrators at Tikrit University and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
The original goal of the chats was to assist Iraqi students learning English, but the weekly chats have the added benefit of providing American Soldiers a glimpse into the daily lives of Iraqi college students and dissolving cultural and language barriers.
"I learned that [Iraqi students] are very similar to my college friends. They feared exams, and strove for jobs after graduation, they wanted to meet their girlfriend in the seat next to them during class and spoke about their hometown friends," Navy Lt. Allen E. Linken said. "Meeting with the students gave me a completely new perspective on the people I met and talked with."
"I enjoyed the candor of the conversation," continued Linken, a New Winsor, N.Y. native. "The students were engaged with us and talked about everything from their Families to their lecturers, to gender roles within Iraq, and each thought and conversation was well-articulated and thought out."
Other Soldiers were impressed at the resources available for Iraqi students.
"The students were very friendly and entertaining, while the facilities appeared very well equipped as an educational environment," said Capt. Jason Gordon, a legal officer from Bennettsville, S.C.
As Iraq prepares for local and national elections, recent chats have helped Soldiers understand the political situation in Salah ad-Din province as well.
"It was great to hear opinions on the political landscape in Iraq from the people who are most affected, Iraqi citizens," said Glenn Falls, N.Y., native, Capt. Todd Chard. "I was impressed by the level of passion displayed over the upcoming national elections."
In addition to the chats, Iraqi students are also given the opportunity to take a class preparing them for the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL class is taught by Soldier volunteers.
"The overall objective is for students to have the chance to take the TOEFL, pass it and move on," Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Harnstine said.
Passing the TOEFL class can help students reach their goals of studying at a Western University. According to Harnstine, a TOEFL instructor, about 30 - 40 students show up each week for chats and the TOEFL class.
"Their efforts make it worthwhile," Harnstine said.
The learning doesn't stop once TOEFL classes and chats are over. At the end of each session new friendships are formed and e-mail addresses exchanged as Soldiers and students continue to communicate and learn from each other.
Currently Tikrit University has more than 15,000 students studying in 16 colleges. The university is partnered with several U.S. universities including, the University of South Carolina, The University of North Carolina, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Utah, the University of Wisconsin and Truman State University.
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Rama Awad
27 Jul 2010, 13:19
thanks for the great efforts that the Americans are doing to serve my
country. I have been working with Americans since 2004 and I'm really very
impressed by their commitment and dedication to improve the life of people
here and to raise the social,economic,and educational standards for Iraqis
and this is a fact that many Iraqis are not aware of. In addition to that
the Americans' tolerance,modesty, and love helping others are really very
impressive and i do believe that these are the reasons behind their being a
great nation. Im very proud for being an Iraqi female working with people
who are ready to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others
suhaib ismail ali
24 Jul 2010, 14:06
Its very good to chat with the students in the unversity and talk with them
about what they like.I wish to talk with americans most the time to educate
myself and prove my language
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