Life's Coincidences Can be Interesting Sometimes
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128828)
Gainesville, Florida
January 13, 2016 6:29am CST
I find it very interesting that several of my recent posts have been about what people experience for the first time when they come to America from foreign countries, such as their impression of our food, our political system, our crime (perceived), and so on.
Every year at work, I get a new group of interns from the University of Florida, whose campus is just down the road from my office. This year I have five new interns who will be working under me, and interestingly, three of them are from outside of the United States! I have one student from China, one from Venezuela, and one from Nigeria!
After all I've been writing about recently, I can't wait to meet this new group of interns--especially the foreign ones--so I can talk to them about their first impressions and thoughts about our country! Maybe I can report back and write on this site about what they think of their experience here!
I just thought it was really amazing, and coincidental, that I get a couple of foreign-born interns right at the same time I have been writing about them! I can't wait to hear what they have to say!
12 people like this
11 responses
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
17 Jan 16
lol well there ya go! I'm sure this is be very interesting for you. :)
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Jan 16
Every semester I get a new group of interns, usually about 4-5 of them. So, life never gets boring at my work! I also like that all of my interns, and most of my employees, are college students, so they always keep me on my toes! I always say that they help keep me young at heart!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Jan 16
@VivaLaDani13 I have never had any problems with my college interns or employees. Every now and then I get a few that are lazy, but often they just need a little encouragement. Sometimes that encouragement means firing one! When that happens, the rest shape up fast! hahaha Fortunately, I don't have to do that very often! Probably the biggest thing I have to deal with all the time is the girls having a crush on me. It used to bother me, but I guess it happens so often that I hardly even notice it now.
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
17 Jan 16
@moffittjc That is awesome! Are they always easy to get on with or have you had a few trouble makers?
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@LadyDuck (502187)
• Italy
13 Jan 16
Even if the United States are a nation, I found that every state is different. The food is not exactly the same, even the people. Americans are usually friendly, but some states are even more friendly. I love Florida, it's a place that I have visited many times. I am curious to know what they think.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@ladyduck you are right about every state being somewhat different even accents can determine what part of the US you are from. I live in Pennsylvania now but when I speak people always say to me "you aren't from around here are you" LOL my New York accent gives me away
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@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 16
I find that, living in Florida, which is a worldwide tourist destination, that you can get any and every possible food type from around the world. I have traveled to many other states where the restaurant and food variety is not as great as it is in Florida. New York and California may be two other states that have a very wide assortment of food choices as well due to their very diverse populations.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
13 Jan 16
It is always interesting to talk to foreign people and nice they will be learning from you also Jeff.
New cultures are best learned in the actual country by living with the natives. I am sure they will learn much.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
I met them all briefly yesterday, and they all seem like eager, bright and smart students thirsty for knowledge! Today, they get to sit down with me so we can talk and get to know each other and then formulate their gameplay for the upcoming semester. I can't wait to talk with all of them!
3 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@moffittjc I am sure they will appreciate you Jeff.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView I will do my best to give them a worthwhile internship experience! And fun too!
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
13 Jan 16
I would be interested to find out what they have to say about our food and food portions as well.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@moffittjc 
Food is probably one of the only things I'd be curious about. Politics? meh we hear enough about it anyway! 
Food is probably one of the only things I'd be curious about. Politics? meh we hear enough about it anyway! @moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
Yes, that would be very interesting to find out! Well, we have a big luncheon scheduled today at noon, so I will observe them and see! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum I would be interested to hear their take on our culture, or even the geography and demographics. I've heard a lot of foreigners comment on how big our houses are here in America! I've never really thought about the fact that people elsewhere in the world live in smaller dwellings!
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
13 Jan 16
When I was in Key West last month, the hotel staff was almost entirely Russian immigrants. I was very surprised by that. On my coast, they are usually Hispanic immigrants (although not always Mexican). I wondered why people from Russia would end up in Key West, of all places.
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 16
It's interesting to hear that your hotel staff was Russian. Many years ago, several of the strip clubs in Key West started bringing in Russian girls to strip/dance (can you say Russian mob?). It sounds like whatever organization (or crime syndicate) that was importing girls in to dance have expanded to other business opportunities! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Jan 16
@ElizabethWallace Of all the places the Russian mafia could have set up shop, and they chose Key West! lol Maybe they like the island living as well! hahaha
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
14 Jan 16
@moffittjc No kidding. That is both interesting and scary. One of my waiters was just working there this winter. Then he was going back to San Francisco where he is getting his Masters in Business.
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
13 Jan 16
Certainly should be interesting and hope you write some follow-up posts about their impressions
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 16
I'll write some follow-up posts soon I hope. I just realized I have hundreds of notifications to sort through! Want to get caught up here quickly if I can before I write too many new posts! lol
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 16
I work in city government, but I serve as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida on occasion.
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jan 16
I have found the same thing! People have a very negative impression of America, but at the same time would do anything to move here or come visit!
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 16
No, not a coincidence. Just the way the world flows, right on, man. Lolz. I think I must be tired. :)
@moffittjc (128828)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
I haven't heard the phrase "right on, man" in years! haha I used to hear that a lot when I was a child! You must be tired!
But yes, that is the way the world flows nowadays! Right on, man!!!
2 people like this
