Same Same....But Different

"People are pretty much alike. It's only that our differences are more susceptible to definition than our similarities." 

Linda Ellerbee

It was 2:30 pm and the bell just rang in the high school as students prepared to head for home. Normally, students hang out in the counseling office, or in the hallways and stairwells waiting for clubs or sports activities. But today was a bit different because after school activities were cancelled due to a large summit in Kuwait City. Highways and byways will be blocked; the commute home just a bit longer than usual.

I was in my supervisors office just talking to him for a moment, and we both stared out the picture frame window that overlooks the parking lot of the high school. We watched as our students got into the backs of their fancy cars, watching their nannies struggle with their backpacks, getting ready to head home. A sight unfamiliar to both of us because we did not grow up with privilege. In all honesty, I think my life was more privileged than his, but both of our families struggled to make things better for us.

Its in times like this that I think about my students at West Gary the most. I admit that I was very close to my students. Almost taking on a big sister, motherly role in a way. For some reason God blessed me this ability to have a heart for them while also not letting up when they made poor choices. I truly loved my students, and I truly miss them, but at the same time I know that they are well because I am doing well.

I continue to look out the window at the groups of students walking to the local bakala (convenience store). I remarked to my friend that although they may have money, there are many similarities between these students and in my former students who seem to not have as much. They are Same Same, But Different (a phrase used locally to describe how certain things are similar, in clothing, in food, in life). For example:

Uniform violations are a daily thing- Same Same. Kids here try to rock hats with their uniforms, they hate the colors, and try every possible way to add their own twist of fashion to what they are wearing. The different part is that they can wear whatever shoes they want while my former students did but got in trouble for them.

Sneaking to the store or getting food before, during, and after school- Same Same. My former students were famous for sneaking to the local gas station before getting on the bus or as soon as the bus hit the school building, or their parents/family friends/even teachers would make restaurant runs for them because lunch normally sucks. The students here do the exact same thing, except the difference here is that instead of going to the gas station up the street like my former students, they have their corner stores or have their help go get their items.

Ditching in the counselor office- Same Same. As hard as I tried with my students at West Gary, they knew exactly the right thing to say to hang in my office and get out of class. Or stop by on the way to the bathroom, or their locker, or leaving the principal's office. No difference. The kids here do the same, except the load is shared with two brilliant co-workers and an Egyptian mom in the form of the office secretary.

Talking in class, all the time- Same Same. The biggest issue I have heard from teachers is that students constantly talk all the time. They never seem to know when to shut up. That goes for the students in Kuwait and my former students at home. The only difference is that here the students do know how to be quiet during testing.

Concern for each other- Same Same. Students here and at home just seem to be able to put differences to the side when things get rough. We recently had a student whose parent died in their sleep. The outpouring of support and love towards the kid was unparalleled  except for when my former students took care of each other in the face of tragedy. The openness in their spirit is just amazing, no matter who their families are or what side of town they live on. No difference.

My excitement in their goals and dreams- Same Same. I never thought that there would be room in my heart for another set of kids, with another set of hopes and dreams, but somehow my spirit gets fed even more when they share what they want to accomplish, or finish a task or a plan that they spent time in putting together coming to light. The only difference is that I know I am missing out on soo much back at home, but embracing all the new that is set before me.

Through it all, it is because of my former students that I am able to be a part of this experience. They are probably the biggest reason that I have embraced who I am as an educator/counselor and held on to pieces of me that are the same, but given me enough faith to know that my path just simply had to be different.