Uni students say the darnest things.

I really enjoy hearing what the students have to say. But I don't overly enjoy teaching English. I love the opinions, ideas and points of views. Here are some snippets of class conversations paraphrased.

3rd year English: "So, there maybe another Clinton leading the US" class

Me: Do you think women make good world leaders?
Mustaffa: No, women can not ever make good presidents.
Me: *raise eyebrows*
Mustaffa: They don't have the experience in these matters. They do not have good intelligence, they are not made for thinking like men. they do not have the right ability.
Me: *raise eyebrows to the rest of the class*
Intisa: Isn't that what they used to say about black people in America?

Engineering students; "tell me about Sudan" class

Mohammad: Sudan has all sorts of people of all colours from dark black through to pale white.
Me: White like me?
Mohammad: Oh no Miss Rayshell, you are not white.
Me: *raise eyebrows*
Mohammad: you are pink
Me: Ah yes, pink and white and yellow with orange dots.
Mohammad: Yes, what are those things?
Me: Freckles.
Mohammad: *raises eyebrows*

Zoology students: "So what's wrong with Jews anyway" class

Marwa: I think if you was taking this class in Israel and trying to convince them that Arabs are not so bad your students will probably also disagree with you.
Me: I think you might be right
Marwa: Before we had English club I was afraid for talking. I would always take so long to think before I say anything, then it would be so late. Now you say things so wrong so I must talk and it becomes more easy. I think you just make controversy so we talk lot.
(smart girl)

Conversation with my boss at the newspaper:

Boss: Khawaga (foreigner), what is your name?
Me: Rachel.
Boss: Huh?
Me: Rayshell.
Boss: Ah Russia, tell me, how is working here?
Me: Fine thank you.
Boss: *raises eyebrows*
Me: Honestly, it is not the most efficient office I have worked in.
Boss: Why?
Me: Well I spend most of my time checking my email, playing solitaire and using the Internet; and you are paying me to do this.
Boss: Right, I see your point, that's not very good. So do you want us to change that then.
Me: Actually it's fine by me, I just thought you should know.

3rd year English "How are we messing up the Environment" Class

Me: In pairs write a list of all the different products we get from the oil industry. Any Questions?
Abdulla: Yes. What do you call your grandfather's grandfather?
Me: *draws family tree diagram on the board, explains what different people call each other*
Abdalla: So you call this unsest?
Me: Unsest? oh, Incest, no that is when family members have sex.
Abdalla: *raises eyebrows*
Me: *points to a different family members on the diagram* It's if you were to marry your sister or parent, that would be called incest. In my county we extend that to cousins, Aunts and Uncles as well.
Abdalla: *furrows eyebrows together* Uncest? I mean maybe uncesta.
Me: OH, ANcestors, oh sorry, that's different.