I stood outside the door, eavesdropping on the conversation flowing through my classroom.  Though class was still five minutes from officially starting, I was disappointed.  I’d been hoping, had even expected, that my students would be conversing in English.  At the intermediate level, they had the abilities.  But instead, everyone stayed in their comfort zones, using Russian, their native language, to articulate themselves.

 

Though disappointed, I also understood.  Communicating in a foreign language is difficult.

 

Ever want to give back when traveling in the world of need? Love to take photos? Then join Dog Meets World, the photo diplomacy project and help connect cultures through the power of photography. The ambitious mission of Dog Meets World  (DMW) is to give all children/families in developing countries personal photographs, often for the first time. DMW seeks to change the way people see others and rather than simply taking pictures, to give them as well. You've got a digital camera, just add a portable printer and the stuffed Foto mascot dog and practice Take & Give Photography!