Alumni Spotlight: Alex reunites with his former teacher, Julie Dean

Student Life, Student Stories

Meet our alumni! Alex came to MLC in April to meet with MLC English Instructor, Julie Dean. They have an interesting thing in common; Alex is from Laos, and Julie spent her childhood for three years in Laos. They got together here again after Alex’s graduation from MLC, because Julie found a few books about Laos at her parents’ home and brought them back to Ann Arbor to show them to Alex.

“Oh I think I know this song!” said Alex, pointing to one of the scores in the Laotian music book that Julie brought for him. Alex and Julie enjoyed talking a lot about the life and culture in Laos, and catching up with each other. 

Alex and Julie talk at MLC

Alex says he didn’t know anyone in Ann Arbor when he came to the town, but he immediately liked the MLC family environment. “Especially when I knew that Julie spent a few years in Laos, I was so excited to hear that!” Surprisingly, they also found out that Julie’s French elementary school was the same building as Alex’s high school in Laos. Since then, Alex and Julie talked about Laos when they met at MLC, and that made him feel even more comfortable learning at MLC. “Also, the great thing about this school is that I have good friends that I still keep in touch with even after I graduated from MLC,” he said. 

Currently Alex is attending Wayne County Community College to earn the Associate Degree in Exercise. He has a Bachelor of Economics degree in China and is trying to pursue his MBA in the U.S.. “I’d like to find a job in the U.S. if possible,” he smiles.

Alex received a book of Laos from Julie and he went back to the class in the college. Julie said it is always nice to see many talented students do their best to accomplish their goals.  

We’re looking forward to seeing you achieve your goals in the future, Alex!