By Diane Hasili
Often times when friends or family come to visit local residents, hosts can be perplexed as to how to make sure their guests have an enjoyable visit. Due to last year’s success, the YWCA Princeton’s “English & American Culture for Visitors to the USA” program is available in one-week increments again this summer providing a respite for hosts and alleviating the guilt that their guests are sitting home all day waiting for them to return from work.
Designed for those with an academic background in English, the program enables visitors to become more fluent speakers of English while learning and experiencing American culture. It is a unique opportunity in environment that is mutually enriching.
Visitors enjoy a myriad of enriching experiences, such as in-class learning, conversational, and written exercises. They learn about American history, customs, manners, idioms, and slang – things that are often a mystery for foreign visitors. They will experience American cuisine, dining, shopping, and participate in American social events. Because the program offers a priceless opportunity to understand American people through direct experience, field trips enhance the learnings.
Patrick Compton, of Burlington, is a retired teacher with 40 years in the classroom and feels the program has proven a perfect fit for his niece, Lina Rincon. A recent high school graduate from Bogota, Colombia, she is planning to register for another two weeks. Compton says, “It has delivered more than I expected. It is ideal for any one at any age who wants a linguistic passport to America.”
After visiting the YWCA earlier this year and researching similar programs across the state, Compton knew the YWCA’s extensive ESL program, welcoming staff, and home-style facility was something special. Nestled in the heart of Princeton, it affords Lina the opportunity to further practice her English with her classmates.
The YWCA wants visitors to get into the world in active terms. “There is a difference between learning it and living it,” says Diane Hasili, YWCA Princeton spokesperson. Given that many with limited English are uncomfortable with their level of proficiency, there is a tendency to withdrawal and stay close to home during their visit to the U.S. “We want them to have a positive experience, feel empowered to explore our country, and to fall in love with our area.”
It strives for each visitor to experience our country firsthand and to increase their understanding of American culture. It breaks down misperceptions and provides a behind-the-scenes look at America that many take for granted. For example, a field-trip last year to the Princeton Police Department surprised some visitors whose local law enforcement is aligned more closely with the military. They saw notable differences and understood our officers’ mission “to protect and serve.” The simple act of ordering food at restaurant can be daunting. Some are reluctant to dine out because they feel their English is difficult too understand. They learn it is acceptable to request your check or ask for their food order to be modified. Past field trips have included museums, visits to corporate work environments, and even tours of Philadelphia.
“The ability to showcase Mercer County’s citizens and businesses is an added bonus,” adds Hasili. In Mercer County alone, tourism expenditures were $1.13 billion in 2012, an almost 4 percent increase from 2011. Visitors and tourists to our region stay at hotels, dine out frequently, visit local attractions, and shop during their stay, and to take local purchases home with them.
Tourism spending in Princeton and Central New Jersey has been rising for the past three years. Tourism expenditures in Mercer County were $1.13 billion in 2012, an almost 4 percent increase from 2011 and an all-time high, according to “The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey” report issued this past March at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This trend is expected to continue as evidenced by the recent creation of the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
The YWCA Princeton has been creating programs that mirror the economic, educational, and cultural diversity of the area. It holds a prominent place in the community as an unofficial “Welcome Center” embracing those new to the area since their founding in 1922. Its expansive ESL education program and Newcomers Club have each been in existence for more than 50 years. As part of an international organization located in more than 120 countries, cultural diversity is in its DNA.
Recognizing the unique travel needs of visitors, the “English & American Culture for Visitors to the USA” program runs June 10th to August 24th with the ability to enroll at any time. Visitors have the choice to attend for as little as one week or multiple weeks – they may be consecutive or intermittent. The program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00am to noon.
Each week offers something unique because of the different visitors participating, subjects of study, current topics, and field trips. Participants are usually adults, but it welcomes individuals age 15+. To register or for more information, please visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/esl or contact Paula Rossi at (609) 497-2100 ext. 306 or the center staff at x329.
