Ferrero Rocher

Today, my mind won’t let go of the memory of the Asian doctoral student I helped my first semester in graduate school. The Mississippi State English department didn’t have a job for me, so they put me in the Engineering department. I revised dissertations and helped students with speeches. In hindsight, I can see I was given an office and a job because State wanted me in their English graduate program. State was my second choice, but it treated me like I was its first choice.

The engineering students didn’t know my heart wasn’t there with them. It was at my first choice—a dream yet unrealized. So, when that Asian doctoral student who struggled with English brought me his dissertation full of phrases I didn’t understand—because of engineering language and English language barriers—I still did my best. I still worked on it for hours and hours, obsessing as much as I could tell he had.

When I gave it back to him, I thought that would be the end. But, it wasn’t. Right before the semester ended, he came to my office and handed me a huge Ferrero Rocher chocolate tree, and he so softly said, “Thank you.”

He didn’t know I didn’t eat that kind of candy, and I didn’t tell him. I loved that tree. I still do, obviously. I didn’t feel like second choice to him. For my first time in that role—at that school—I felt like I belonged, like I was okay.

I didn’t stay at State. I moved on to my first choice school after revamping and rebranding myself. I’m thankful for that tree, though. Sometimes you need a fancy chocolate tree to remind you not to give up. Someone is watching. Someone needs you. Someone appreciates you.