ENGLISH SPEECH |Mariana Atencio| What makes you special | wiht English subtitle | learning English

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, a journalist recounts her journey from Caracas, Venezuela, to various parts of the U.S., beginning with a culturally eye-opening summer camp experience in Minnesota. She reflects on the challenges of feeling 'different' and the importance of embracing diversity. Her unique path, marked by language skills and cultural sensitivity, ultimately shapes her career choice. Amidst political turmoil in Venezuela, she moves to the U.S., seeking to challenge stereotypes and contribute to a more inclusive society, culminating in her coverage of President Obama's historic election.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The speaker grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, with a childhood filled with magic and wonder, and parents who encouraged a global perspective.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 At the age of seven, the speaker and her sister were sent to a summer camp in the United States to experience a different culture, which was a significant departure from their home.
• 🧳 The initial cultural shock was intense, with the speaker and her sister standing out due to their appearance and lack of English, leading to feelings of alienation.
• 🤔 The speaker learned the importance of embracing and working at belonging in a new culture, as well as the challenges of being seen as 'different'.
• 🏫 The 'summer camp experiment' continued for eight years, broadening the speaker's understanding of diverse American cities and the value of making connections.
• 👭 High school brought a roommate from Bahrain, which initially caused discomfort due to cultural differences, highlighting the speaker's own prejudices.
• 🕺 A talent show at school helped the speaker realize the value of her own cultural background and the uniqueness it brought to the community.
• 💡 The realization that embracing one's own differences is the first step towards appreciating the uniqueness of others was a pivotal moment for the speaker.
• 📰 The speaker's experiences led her to become a journalist, aiming to challenge stereotypes and provide a voice for those often marginalized.
• 🚫 Political unrest and censorship in Venezuela forced the speaker to leave her home country, further emphasizing her status as an 'other'.
• 🗽 Moving to the United States on a scholarship to study journalism, the speaker felt a sense of hope and opportunity, especially covering the historic election of President Barack Obama.

Q & A

Where did the journalist grow up and what was her initial perception of her hometown?

The journalist grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, and she perceived it as a place filled with magic and wonder.

What was the purpose of sending the journalist and her sister to a summer camp in the United States?

The purpose was to give them a wider view of the world and to experience different cultures.

How did the journalist's expectations of summer camp differ from the reality?

She expected to go to a summer camp in Miami or Orlando, possibly to see Mickey Mouse, but was sent to Brainerd, Minnesota instead.

What was the initial reaction of the other children at the summer camp when they met the journalist and her sister?

The other children looked at them as if they were from another planet and asked questions that showed their curiosity and lack of understanding about their backgrounds.

How did the journalist cope with feeling different at the summer camp?

She put on a brave face, embraced the American way of life, and took care of her younger sister who was upset.

What did the journalist learn about making friends during her time at the summer camp?

She learned that making friends was a special reward and that when you're different, you have to work at belonging by being helpful, smart, funny, or anything to fit in with the crowd.

Why did the journalist's father send her to Wallingford, Connecticut for her senior year of high school?

Her father wanted her to continue broadening her horizons and experiencing different cultures as part of his 'summer plan'.

How did the journalist initially react to her roommate Fatima, who was Muslim and from Bahrain?

Initially, the journalist was disappointed and felt that Fatima's presence hindered her from fitting in and being popular.

What realization did the journalist have about her treatment of Fatima after participating in a talent show?

She realized that she had failed to see Fatima's potential to teach her about belly dancing and that she had treated Fatima in a similar way to how she had been treated at summer camp.

What did the journalist learn about embracing differences from her experiences?

She learned that embracing one's own differences is the first step in appreciating what makes others special and that it's important to put oneself in other people's shoes.

What was the turning point for the journalist that led her to become a journalist and eventually move to the United States?

The shutting down of the biggest television station in Venezuela due to government censorship and her father's advice to leave the country made her realize that she needed to pursue journalism elsewhere.