When she came to the United States two years ago from Trujillo, Peru, Vanessa Morin thought people were being cold and unfriendly to her. People didn’t introduce themselves with hugs. Then she realized that’s just how American acquaintances greet each other – with a handshake.
She lived in Alexandria, Va., for about a year and a half with her husband and two children, until the family moved to Greenbelt eight months ago. She said it’s been hard for her to find work and make English-speaking friends.
“I don’t know people I can practice my pronunciation with,” she said. “I need help because I would like to work.”
Morin was an administrator at the Universidad de Piura in Trujillo, and came to the U.S. to be with her husband.
“[It] was very difficult for me when I left all in my country – my profession, my work,” she said.
So she wrote a letter to the Greenbelt News Review, published August 23, hoping to put together a group where English and Spanish speakers could practice one another’s language. William Fishburne, president of the board of Greenbelt MakerSpace, offered to host and participate in the group.
Fishburne said their first discussion was a small cultural exchange.
Morin and Fishburne (and a News Review reporter) were the only participants at the second meeting of the group on September 18, but they hope the group will grow.
Before Morin arrived at MakerSpace, Fishburne said, “Part of my goal today is to greet her American style.”
He shook her hand and said, “Hello, Vanessa.” Then he smiled and gave her a big hug and said “Vanessa, hello!”
The Spanish conversation group meets at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays at MakerSpace. For more information, email MakerSpace125@make125.org.