“Welcome to McDonalds. May I take your order?”

“Yes, can I get some ‘chips’ please?”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t sell chips.”

“But, there is a picture right there.”

“No sir, those are French fries.”

“Oh, that’s what I meant.”

Cultural differences and new experiences were found even in the drive-thru window at McDonalds for new faculty member George Wairungu, who is originally from Kenya. 

“Everything was so different from the how the food tasted to how the English language was spoken. It took a while to adjust especially without my family whom I miss very much,” said Mr. Wairungu.

“I was having so many mixed emotions when the plane landed. I thought to myself this is the place. I know that I’m going to have to work hard, but this is the place. As I step outside and felt the burning sun on my face, I realized how overwhelmed I was. It was hotter than Kenya!” said Mr. Wairungu.

Mr. Wairungu, born and raised in Kenya, Africa, was more than ecstatic when he got the opportunity to come and study abroad. Mr. Wairungu has been teaching for 14 years and part of it was in Kenya.

Now, while teaching, he is also working on his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas.

“I knew that I wanted to do something that involved talking, and by grade ten I had my heart set on teaching.  I want to do something that could change someone’s life permanently like someone had changed my life by teaching me the language English. Only a few people are born to teach, and I believe that I am one of them,” said Mr. Wairungu.

“The educational program differs from the one in Kenya in many ways. There are so many facilities that make the learning enjoying and easier. Truly this is the land of opportunity, but I see very less who will take advantage of that,” said Mr. Wairungu.

Mr. Wairungu is very impressed at how friendly school is. He is amazed at how much the students respect the teachers.

He plans to return to Kenya to teach there once again. He wants to take his learning experience and share it back home.

“I came to learn, so I can go back and teach,” said Mr. Wairungu.