The multi-cultural aspect of teaching is very gratifying, too, according to Claudia. It's exciting to get to know all the different cultures through the students' writing. The American-born students are a joy to work with as well. And after you've been teaching for awhile you get very familiar with what the difficulties are in grasping the English language. It's helpful because you know when students are transferring over in English what they are going to need most of, what they need to be practicing and learning in English writing.
International students have a different set of circumstances than American students.
As their teacher sometimes you act as a confidante. Then a year later I'll talk to them and it's very different. They've grown up, become more confident, have lots of friends and have become a bit more Americanized. Aside from the fun of learning about different cultures and getting to spot talent in budding writers, Claudia says she loves the freedom in the every day practice of teaching. Teaching can be very creative.