In my life so far, there are two things that make me realize that I’m a lucky guy. One is coming to the U.S. and the other is meeting PIE. Can you imagine how a man with limited listening and speaking abilities in English could survive in a completely unfamiliar country in the future? There must be a whirlwind of troubles he will encounter. Actually, I’m that man.

Coming to the US is the most significant choice that I have made so far, which will help me pursue my academic dreams. I remember clearly that once I passed through the customs, I was really scared because of the unfamiliar environment, language and communication patterns, my first time to go abroad, along with my weakness in English communication. I didn’t dare talk to anyone and I began to develop a social anxiety to ask people to repeat what they said when I couldn’t understand them. I had a thousand butterflies in my stomach. I didn’t know what to do and even didn’t have a confidence that I could survive in this country in the future. I even suspected the choice I made- Was it worth facing these unknowns? But I was fortunate that reason triumphed over my emotions finally and I kept on moving forward.

The situation was greatly improved after I attended the orientation of PIE course, which was introduced by my futuristic supervisor who treats me kindly and hopes me will have a better life in the U.S.

On my first PIE day, I fell in love with it. From my perspective, PIE is more of a family than just a language learning course. It delivered me a feeling that we all seemed the children came from different nations and lands, pursuing our dreams and goals, gathered in this big family. What touched me deeply was that, although we were all foreigners, we were treated equally, as if we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years, which surely eased much of my anxiety. In a supportive and relaxed atmosphere, we went through the orientation and the placement test smoothly.

Speaking of the course in PIE, I always tell everyone I meet later that it is the best course I have ever experienced. The instructors in the course are consistently attentive to everyone and responsible for every student. We could cooperate and communicate with the amazing people from all over the world.

In the listening and speaking course, we visited a variety of scenes around the world and met different famous people across both spatial and temporal scales with Dr. Geoffrey.
In the reading and writing course, we had a fantastic experience in Istanbul by reading a fiction and argued many controversial topics, including euthanasia, Darién Gap, artificial intelligence, school uniforms and English education under Elaine’s guidance, and we experienced the joy of writing.
Moreover, with Levans’ help, we gradually gained the proficiency in sentence structures including the past perfect tense, reporting verbs and many special grammar rules.

Wonderful moments were not only limited in the classroom. We also enjoyed every minute in playing bowling, canal walking, museum visiting and attending seminars with delicacies.
Most importantly, it really is a perfect chance to learn English systematically and we can truly witness our improvements and developments in these processes.

Currently, I have started my post-PIE life as a postdoctoral researcher in the IU Health Neuroscience Center, Goodman Hall according to my initial plan. I’m no longer shy to talk to others, although I still sometimes have trouble catching all the words people say. In the meantime, I’m always missing the days I attended PIE courses, the people I stayed with during those precious six weeks and the teachers who once helped and encouraged me.

However, this sense of nostalgia will not be an obstacle to my future. What I obtained in PIE actually goes beyond a mere improvement in my English level. Through PIE, which I consider as a warming up for the life in the US, I acquired an opportunity to broaden my horizons, appreciate the other aspects of the world, gain the confidence to explore alternative possibilities in the life and recognize my abilities to face and overcome future difficulties.

Some people you stay with for many years, but don’t cultivate any affection. However, some people you just got along with for six weeks, as if you had experienced a whole lifetime together. You’re full of energy, imagination, and open-mindedness. Because all of you, I really cherish every day in the course.

My greatest fortune is having attended PIE and meeting each of you here. I used to travel to many places and saw plenty of beautiful and marvelous landscapes in the past.
There is no doubt that PIE is a splendid highlight in the journey of my life.

Thank you, my friends. You gave me such a remarkable memory, and I hope you all have bright futures.

– Aibo Wang