Fun Times at San Dimas High!

Going to an International Business School where only 30% of us are American is fantastic. I learn all kinds of new things. Just the other day I came home with 4 duck tongues. I left them on the counter and now one is missing. I didn't tell my roommates what they were. To be honest, it looks like a beef jerky packet. I wonder who ate it, and I wonder if they'll eat another. I might give it a go, but to be honest, they are a little bit scary. Who knew there was a market for individually wrapped duck tongues! I could maybe understand bulk, for stew and such, but individual tongues?!

Enough of that. Now to the real meat of my post. There are plenty of students that attend my school that are either from communist countries or were once part of the Soviet Bloc. As an interesting note, Chinese students are required to take Principles of Marxism as undergraduates. There are also plenty of students from Russia, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, etc.

Okay the stage is now set. I was in the Bloomberg lab working with my Chinese partner. We were figuring out some numbers on a case about bad real estate loans. The fun started when student 1 and student 2 started chatting. Student 1 was trying to polish pronunciation of some questionable phrases in student 2's language. It was immensely entertaining. You never know; knowing those phrases may come in handy.

The conversation moved to the how both of these students countries had a past with communism. It was entertaining to listen to their perspectives. Student 1 described the reactions of his grandmother when he tries to explain that communism didn't work. Apparently, she's still committed to the cause. However, I think it is awesome her grandson is studying finance at US university. Marx must be turning over in his grave. Student 2 was talking about how hard it is to have a high powered government job, unless you're connect to the main communist governing body.

I'm amazed by the diversity of the student body. It is great to see the ironies, histories, and struggles of so many different countries. I hope that the students enjoy their stay in the US, and learn a little bit more about how the US works. I enjoy the other student. Knowing the backgrounds of other people is helpful and I think is broadening my view of the world.