It has been three years since I joined Facebook. Before I opened an account I had mixed feeling about Facebook and what I have had from friends. People say Facebook is a waste of time and boring but wait why is this that after one deactivates the account thinks of activating it after a short while. Facebook just like any other applications has its shortcomings. Through this journal am sharing my experiences with the largest social media globally!
There were few steps that are required to sign up an account. I was able to customize my account just suit my needs. I was in a different country hence I wanted to be in touch with all my friends back in my home country. I also felt that meeting new people was a great Idea. My experience as a foreign student was a driving force for me to learn more about the language, the culture and some other personal stuff.
Facebook is not just a social network where people meet and share ideas but a place where I was able to be update with latest news in a language that I understand better. It has been a great experience for me since it has always enables me to know what is happening around me and far away from me at home. Learning about a new culture or language is something that I have found it easy on Facebook. You do not need a person you know to learn but any friend on Facebook is more than willing to share their stories.
I could not believe how I was able to connect to my childhood friends who I had lost contact with in a matter of minutes on Facebook. I came to realize that one of them was also in America same state with me. This made me feel at home and more comfortable. After three weeks on Facebook I was able to connect almost to all of my old friends of course other used different names on Facebook.
When I came to the USA, I could not understand the news in English because it was hard to comprehend the difficult words and, I was not good in English. Thus, I subscribed for CNN channel which is an English channel, but the channel in Facebook was translating the news in Arabic, so maybe I was the first Arabic student who knew about the fires in Colorado.
On 25th January I wanted to furnish my house with furniture. I did not have any idea of where I will start looking for the best furniture at an affordable price. I felt that people might take advantage with the fact that I did not know the market trend. I just posted on my Facebook about my case and I received so many inbox messages from my American friends who helped me buy the best items I wanted. I have received many offers from my friends in America on all the things I buy hence I get the best.
I have been able to interact with my collogues in schools very easily using Facebook without wondering about my language. I my posts were in my native language; Arabic then Facebook will translate it to them. I can also read and understand what they are saying by converting their English message to Arabic. Learning about other people’s culture and the way they interact is very important feature of Facebook.
Sharing events with friends by posting videos and pictures is one of the best things that I always experience on Facebook. It feels like am together with my friends just by using Facebook. It is unfair to say that Facebook is boring and many people are getting rid of their accounts. I remember one day my best friend deactivated her Facebook account with the idea that it is no longer interesting. After few days, she activated the account. When I asked her what happened she said “I can’t do without Facebook I just miss it”.
Work cited
Alibali, M. W., Phillips, K. M. O., & Fischer, A. D. “Learning new problem-solving strategies leads to changes in problem representation”. Cognitive Development, 24, 89-101. 2009
The Tidewater Community College District, “ Journal Entries for College and Career Success”, 4th Edition
