Seen Anew

Today after my Arabic lesson, I introduced my Arabic tutor to Craigslist.

He's a quiet guy and so usually doesn't ask too many questions. Actually, I'm the one posing all the questions as we discuss grammar, definitions, slang...

But today the floodgate broke. Very pointed, detailed questions made me realize he's been spending a lot of time thinking through everything. Which is natural; his departure is rapidly approaching. He could go today if he wanted, but he wanted to spend the Eid al-Kabir holidays in Morocco with his family. And then he decided to wait out the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's travel season. So sometime in mid-January he'll be headed to Orlando to start a new life.

We started talking about opening a bank account, then moved on to cell phones, and later buying computers. At that point I showed him Craigslist, which led to a discussion about finding apartments, finding jobs, and maybe even finding other Arabic students.

My tutor has a BA in English from the local university, but is currently unemployed (with the notable exception of my Arabic lessons). That education combined with the fact that he listens to BBC radio in English daily. When we discuss politics or culture, I almost never have to provide background explanations or vocabulary. And so I've come to think of him as a fellow partaker in my culture and language.

But he's not. He's never even left Morocco. And now he's headed off into the great unknown in a way that I personally have never had to do. He doesn't know if he will be able to continue his education as he'd like. He doesn't know how many jobs he'll have to work. He doesn't know if he'll even be able to find a job in the current economy. He doesn't know what it will be like adjusting to the new culture. He doesn't know a lot of things.

And with all my knowledge I can only answer so many of his questions. I joked with him, "Sorry I can't help you more. I have more experience looking for jobs in Morocco than in the US."

On the whole I'm optimistic. He's unmarried, speaks fluent English, is hard-working, and as a practicing Muslim doesn't have any vices that will eat up his income. He should do well.