CIES is a Representation of International Solidarity

I view solidarity in my community when people from various places in the world all come together and share genuine conversation and time. During my time at CIES (Center for Intensive English Studies), I have made friends with numerous people within the intensive English program- this includes the professors, program coordinators, and students. I began attending the program’s events and activities to get to know everyone a little better but quickly realized these people would be my community throughout the remainder of the summer. Everyone at CIES is so welcoming and wants to hear your story. I think the program director, Dr. Kennell described solidarity at CIES best, “I challenge everyone, the next time someone stereotypes someone of a different culture or states a generalization, it is your responsibility to speak up, to say “hey, I know someone from there and they’re a great person”.” This is how I would define solidarity at CIES. Everyone comes from such diverse cultural backgrounds and at first it seems as if there are no commonalities, but we are all human and once you start to speak to one another, the connection will flourish. I can’t begin to explain the sense of community FSU’s CIES program offers, and I will stop in to say hello throughout the rest of my time at FSU.