(UCSC visiting Professor, China) The Thanksgiving Day is approaching towards us. At this moment, I remember that you have been giving me so much help from my arriving at Santa Cruz. Firstly, I should thank God for his love, and then I should thank you for your kindly giving me much more help. Because of God’s grace and your kind help, I feel that I am still staying as like at my own home, and also I am very happy for staying at Santa Cruz with you. Blessings,"
(wife of PhD student, China) Just writing this email to tell you again that how grateful I feel to have known you and join the wonderful Ladies Tea Time! ...And of course, each time meeting with you ladies I was offered a lot of helpful information, not to mention the delightful atmosphere
(wife of PhD student, China) "Dear ladies, Thank you so much for organizing the wonderful baby shower for us! It is such an amazing experience for us. Thanks for helping make it so special. We are so touched by all the blessings and gifts. Our family are so lucky! I also got presents from Truett, Annette, and dear Pam said she would drop by my apartment this weekend to give me a baby gift! Even she could not make it to the baby shower. All of them are ISI volunteer members. We are so moved by all the generous deeds of all of you. We are deeply moved. With deepest appreciation, Yuting"
(wife of PhD student, China) My husband and I are really grateful for today's trip to Rench 99. We got everything that's in desperate need! And it was great to meet you guys. ... Hope we can meet again.
(wife of UCSC postdoc, Korea) "I really had a good time, thinking of my baby shower thrown by ISI 3 years ago. God bless your family!"
Newly married wife of PhD Student from China
Hi, dear Peggy, Patti, Pamela, and James,
I'm writing this email to say thanks to all of you. The fourth day in Santa Cruz, we are finally settled down, and it can't be so smooth without your generous help. We were so moved by your kindness! Peggy, though we haven't met yet, I know my husband has bothered you with numerous emails; and we together scanned your homepage while we were in China, and we were so excited thinking about learning ball room dancing from you!
Patti, you are the first one we met when we arrived, and I have to say without you we couldn't have survived. It was so kind of you driving us here and there and giving us so many daily necessities. ... Your sunflower is still smiling on our table. It was hard for us to move in such an empty house... and let alone moving from thousands of miles away. But only within one day, with the help from Pamela and James, our empty house was soon filled with furniture, and now it feels just like home!
I must say thank you again on behalf of all my fellow Chinese students here. It goes without saying that moving to another country and start a new life is difficult, especially for the first few days, but you have made a huge difference to our life. Words just failed to express our gratitude. I just want to tell you, what you have done means a lot to us; not only have you assisted us to get the bed, desk, chairs, everything we need to live on, your deeds have left an eternal warmth in our heart, which will remain a strong encouragement in the future. Thank you very much!" "Wei Li"
New PhD Student from China
Thank you so much these days. You, Pam and Ann had help my friends and I a lot, and without you we can't settle down so quick. It's really nice knowing you! Hope we could get together in the future.Regards, "Shou Ling"
Visiting science Professor from China, meeting with his ISI conversation partner
"The conversation is very good. I think my listening has been improved signifantly. Thank you for your introduction of Truett as my partner. Regards, "Rich"
New PhD student from China
"...It is great. I thank you with all my heart! Kindest regards, 'Ling'"
NEW UCSC student, after airport pickup and free furniture --
'I am very glad to meet you, ....And in the future if you need any help like volunteer, please tell you and I will try the best I can."
"Xin" Chinese PhD student in Economics
New UCSC student for airport pickup --
"Thank you very much again for your kind help -- it's really a big problem for new students when they first arrive.
...I heard from a student that you are a director of a church, and the church sometimes has some spare furniture for new students. If possible, could I use some of them in my FSH house, for example, bed, table, chair, etc? ... Thank you so much, and I appreciate it whether or not I could take them.
I am so happy to write you this email, thanking you so much for the help with money that you sent me, my God I would not have managed, it would mean that i would miss full year of school, with your help I was able to do my exams, am sure I will pass them very well,
I don't know how to express my since thanks to you in words, I only thank God that he made Godfrey and he got such wonderfull friends that have a very good heart of helping others,.
thank so much, and so much.....
yours truly
Issa Mukama (Kasese, Uganda)
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FALL 2010
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Of course, I consider ISI as my second family. I believe all of you are very nice and friendly. (9/15/10 Grad student, China)
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Hi, Mrs Pollard, You are so nice. Thank you very much. Regards (new PhD student coming from China)
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Hello Peggy,
Thank you very much! Mrs. Pamela Urfer really helps us a lot！(9/15/10 grad student, China
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Although I am not in Santa Cruz right now, I would like to meet for tea time after I arrive in Santa Cruz, if at that time we are both available. Furthermore, I would like you to add me to your ISI email list so I can hear any activities you do.
Thank you and ISI very much! You really let me learn more about US, especially your kindness! Best regards, (9/1/10) grad student China)
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(A nice referral from New president of the UCSC Chinese Student-Scholar Association, to the CSSA group email)
"Hi everyone, As we will start a great new school year I would like to extend greetings from CSSA, Santa Cruz.....I would like to welcome new students and faculties come to UCSC. For airport pickup, you can leave a massage here, or contact me, or contact Peggy of International Students, Inc.Santa Cruz. I'll give out all the information in the end. .....Here is part of Peggy's email: "As most of you know ISI is local American Christians offering friendship and hospitality to all international students and scholars. We can give free airport pickups, temporary housing, friendship activities, conversation and friendship partners. We have been doing this in Santa Cruz for more than 20 years ...Xie xie da jia and Xin Nian Hao le! Best wishes,"
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Dear Peggy,
...I appreciate your help. You are the first person I met in USA, and I am very glade to meet you. ... I recieved your email and knew that there are such nice people like you, I contacted you and asked for your help. these days Pam and Don help me a lot. It is my luck to meet you, when I settle down at last, please come to me, I am a good cook. I have a little gift for you.(8/25/10) professor and 6-year-old son, China)
Having friendship partner is one of the best experience I've gained here. I stayed at their house, went to their church and school. I had a great time there. Spending time with them just for 3 days, I think I understand about Americans way of living more than the period of 3 months since my arrival. I feel so lucky that you introduced me this program. Thank you very much.
Faithfully, Ploy (you can use them and put my name in, if you want to. I don't mind at all.)
