When I first volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club my junior year in high school, I found myself sitting across from a quiet, detached boy named Devante. At that moment, I realized that I was in the perfect position to help him because I knew exactly how he was feeling. It was the moment when I met a person who has similar introverted characteristics. As I sat across from him, watching him silently struggling with his homework, I thought about that mix of pride and caution that prevented him from asking for help and it reminded me of my past. The first time I came to America, I faced the struggle of having to ask for help. I was not used to speaking plainly with teachers and I was even a little afraid of intruding on their personal time. Other mentors generalized how Devante has lack of eager to learn or speak up because of Devante’s silence for several weeks. Even though Devante’s attitude seemed negative to others, I knew how he was working hard and he needed more time.
There is common misunderstanding how every introvert is shy. From my experience, I think shyness is different from introversion. Shy personality is one getting anxious in any social situation; however, introverts are trying to avoid interaction with people whom are not close to them. My first goal was to get closer to Dvante as a friend. In order to make him comfortable, I started by telling him my own story. I talked about leaving behind everyone I knew and starting a new life in America. Little by little, he warmed up to me and even began telling me about his day. Through mentoring a student who is introverted, I realized how people misunderstand the characteristic and what they think about the introversion. |