Icy Flame

(1) What each of us expects from the other is fair and realistic. (2) We are happy with one another, as we are. (3) Each of us listens to the other, and cares. (4) There is ample room for each of us to have a separate life/self. We know we are two separate people who choose to be together and grow/nurture a wonderful, loving relationship. (5) We can argue or disagree, and remain friends. (6) Each of us has come to rely on the other, because we value our relationship as a top priority. (7) Mutual communication and sharing is valued by each of us. (8) Neither of us must be something or someone other than what we are, to please the other. (9) Total honesty is a shared value, as well as kindness and sensitivity toward one another's feelings. (10) Our relationship works well now, not as an unfulfilled goal to be hoped for in the future. (11) We are both committed to the relationship, and to one another. Neither of us threatens to leave. (12) We love and care for one another, unconditionally

Some intensive English programs in the United States offer a foreign student the option of living with an American family while he or she is studying abroad. Many students feel that such a home-stay program is a valuable part of their total learning experience. However, others may feel that such a plan offers little value. A foreign student who plans to come to the United States must have some definite goals in mind. For the student who wants to improve his English quickly and learn about American customs firsthand, there is often an opportunity to live with an American family. There may be one or two disadvantages to this living arrangement; however, I believe that there are far more advantages.First of all, some minor disadvantages to living with an American family include both a lack of privacy and little opportunity to be independent. For instance, the foreign student may find that the family expects him to join them in group activities such as watching television and going on picnics. At times, however, he might enjoy staying in his room to read or to write letters to his family and friends. Another drawback to living in an American home involves the possibility that the family may treat the student like a child. For example, the parents may want to decide who his friends will be and where he will go during his leisure time away from home.Even though there may be one or two disadvantages to living with an American family, the advantages far outweigh them. By taking part in a home-stay program, the student has an excellent opportunity to learn about American customs. He will find out how to behave in different social situations such as parties and ceremonies and how to dress on these occasions. Also, he will learn about many other aspects of the American way of life, such as the way schools are run in the United States. With a family lose by, he can ask questions about attendance rules and school costs. The family will make certain that he becomes acquainted with this new way of life, and soon he will feel at home.Another advantage to lining with an American family is that the student is in an ideal environment to improve his English. For example, each time he has a conversation with someone in the family, this native speaker can help him with his pronunciation and grammar. Maybe the younger children in the family can help the student with his homework, too. But the most important thing is that he will be surrounded by English most of the time during his stay in the United States.Although I agree that there may be a couple of disadvantages to living with an American family, I feel that the advantages are more obvious. In a home-stay program, the student can learn about American customs in the most natural way possible. In addition, he will find himself in an atmosphere in which his English will certainly improve. In my opinion, these are the two most important goals for him to consider, and living with an American family is the best way to achieve them.

What do you do when you encounter an intercultural romance? In another word, what do you do when you find yourself being attracted to a foreigner or someone who is from one different culture or country?
I've been thinking of this question for a long time.

Anyways I am a mixed-blood Asian (Chinese and Thai) and I had one non-Chinese-and-Thai b/f before. It is always so easy to fall in love but so difficult to maintain a healthy long relationship, sigh.

I've been totally down for the past one year and a half after the breakup with my ex-b/f. It is really tough to get along with someone who is different different from you, who has different languages(language still not a problem for me,lol), cultrues, customs, religions from you.

Surely it is always so interesting and nice to know people from different culture and upbringing. But if we are completely different we have to be able to find something in common between us. Otherwise the relationship will just lead to a failure sooner or later.

Nowadays I am trying to begin a relationship again..He seems so nice for me. But still I suppose I just lack of the sense of security:(