My Tandem Partner Zeineb

When we arrived in Italy we were told that for no extra credit what so ever, only the learning experience, that we could sign up for a tandem partner. A tandem partner is someone who is a native of the country and wants to learn your language. In my case and Italian who wants to learn English. The first time I had this idea proposed to me I was all for it. Someone who could help me learn Italian! Awesome, that would really help me with a language that I barely know how to speak. But then I began thinking...what if my person doesn't know a lick of English and we sit in silence for 2 hours (you are required to spend 2 hours together). So then I began to reconsider this whole thing...but it was too late. I had signed up the previous day and was meeting my person that evening.

So, two Wednesday's ago I was sitting in a room with a few of my fellow Americans and watched as several Italians (men and women) entered the room all jabbering in Italian...yeah...not intimidating at all. As our instructor, Angelica, began calling all of the names to match us up I kept praying that my person would know a little English.

"Audrey...with Zeineb." I couldn't even contemplate the name that was just said let alone look around the room to see a 21-year old Italian girl staring back at me smiling. I got up nervously and sat down next to her trying to remember what I learned in Italian the day before. However, as I was contemplating on how to say nice to meet you (piacere) she says...I love when Angelica speaks in English...she sounds so professional..." I think my mouth dropped at that point.

Zeineb is a 3rd year at the University of Macerata. She has studied aboard in several countries....including the United States (Texas) and England. She is practically fluent in English and is one of the nicest people that I have met so far.

This past weekend we went out for a café and talked about religion, politics, friends, family, food, travel, you name it...we talked about it. And it was all in English of course, because I barely know how to hold a conversation in Italian. But every time we meet, we will spend a little more time talking in Italian and less in English. At the end of our conversation, we were talking about her mom and she asked me if I would like to come to her home next Friday and spend the night. Apparently her mom is fascinated with the fact that I have real Red-hair. Go figure.

So, if you ever have the chance to go abroad and want to improve on your speaking skills...get a tandem partner. It really is the best way to learn the language!

Ciao Ragazzi!
Audrey