Seattle Desi Kids

To fulfill the credit requirements for completing higher secondary school, students must study a world language in addition to their arts and science subjects. Some schools offer German or French, or students can choose their mother tongue as their second language. The federal government includes Tamil as one of the world languages, and children can learn Tamil and sit for qualifying exams with the help of their parents or local Tamil schools. The American Council of Foreign Languages conducts proficiency exams in world languages. For more information on this matter, parents and students can discuss with educational counselors in school. This qualifying exam evaluates students based on four parameters: Observation: I know a few words. If spoken slowly, I understand to some extent. I generally comprehend the essence of what's spoken. I can understand radio and TV shows. I can fully comprehend conversations, cinema dialogues, etc. Reading: I know a few words. I generally understand a...

Early in the morning, at 3 am, we started trekking up the mountain to witness the sunrise. When friends asked about managing the three-hour early morning sleep, traveling in darkness, and the cold weather on Seattle's mountain, numerous questions scared me. However, the opportunity to trek with friends and the rarity of the experience convinced me to go. Some said they would come with their families, while others decided to bring only their children. The journey from their homes to the foothills took around two and a half hours. We all reached the foothills at 3 am, having started from home at midnight. The trip consumed our entire night's sleep. As planned, we met at midnight and embarked on the journey in two cars, searching for a 24-hour coffee shop. Conversing to keep sleep at bay, the experience of driving at night was new to me. The distant lights of the cars behind blinked in our eyes, while the long and winding empty road ahead awakened us from drowsiness. The lane warn...