When Mary first told me students shouldn’t give gifts to mentors in mid-August, I was shocked.
“So like Debra is the branch Chief right now, you can’t give her gifts..” My astonished look made Mary further explain a bit. :P
However, that wasn’t the reason why I was surprised.
When I told Kris and all my friends that Mary is like a family to me, I meant it. I didn’t say this just out of kindness or courtesy. For an international student like me — having all the family and relatives live in half the globe away and I’m the first one who study aboard, I wouldn’t say I’m lonely as I always have fun myself or with friends during my stay in the States (besides, my family and I have a pretty close relationship — I know they are always there!). Even though I’m really independent and can manage my life well, it’s really nice of Mary to truly care about me and not treating me like an outsider.
Interaction between people is like a two-away street. Since Mary treats me like a family, I take her way beyond as a mentor. So when Mary said “students shouldn’t give gifts to mentors,” I was shocked — not because “students shouldn’t give gifts to mentors” but because I haven’t actually thought we are the “student” and the “mentor”..
