Shaking Hands with the World

Over the past few weeks, a Chinese college student has beenstaying in our home in Virginia. Duringone of our many meal time conversations, I asked what most surprised her aboutlife in America. She respondedinstantaneously. What astonished her wasthe lack of interest that Americans had in her being from China. As a first year foreign student she attended aspecial international student orientation at the end of August, arriving tocampus several days before the American freshmen. For three days, she got to know the campus andthe host of other overseas students.

Once we have softened our hearts and become more aware of the world around us (see last month’s Connect), we are poised for the next step-- developing a relationship with the world.  As in all relationships, it starts with a hand shake and the exchange of formalities.  In this get-to-know-you phase, we learn the basic facts about our new acquaintance; we dialogue and eventually share experiences.  With this illustration in mind, may I suggest some simple ways to extend your hand to the world and get to know it just a little bit more. 

• Hang a map in a h