So much can be learned by simply dining in a restaurant. Kindezi West and Kindezi Old Fourth Ward eighth graders took a field trip to Mulan Asian Cuisine off Cascade Road in Atlanta on Oct. 27 to learn proper dining etiquette.
The trip was made possible by True World Link, an organization focused on exposing students to real-life scenarios beyond the four walls of a classroom.
“The purpose of the event is to assist the students with having the opportunities to be in networking-type situations,” Jamila Serrette, True World Link owner, told rolling out. “We want them to be [comfortable] in various situations so whenever they have opportunities come their way, they are ready and prepared for that.”
The students of the two rival schools were mixed in at different assigned tables to communicate with members of the other school. Some students, like Kindezi West’s Elijah Holt, joked about having friendly banter with students from the other school days before the two faced off in a playoff football game. The one common denominator in all of the students, however, was gratitude for getting out of class to learn lessons beyond traditional academia.
“It’s really nice,” Kindezi West eighth grader Abigail Adewoye told rolling out. “And I appreciate that they were able to do this for $10. Because I know that this experience is worth way more. And it’s a pleasure to be able to know how to do etiquette at this age.”
Although a part of the lesson the teenagers were supposed to learn was based on manners, Mulan co-owner Johannes Evan said the group was already well-behaved.
“They are doing great,” Evan told rolling out. “I’m surprised. I bet all of these kids’ parents take them out to eat all the time, so they know what to do.”
Kinidezi West eighth grader Benny Pittman gave his best effort of making a great first impression as he wore dress shoes, slacks, a vest over a white button-down and a bowtie to the lunch.
“When I woke up this morning, I told myself I’m going to get dressed, I’m going to look great, I’m going to practice this etiquette and look really good doing it,” Pittman told rolling out. “It’s the way my mother raised me. The day before, she made sure I had everything I needed to look good and represent.”
Aliya Porter, a Kindezi Old Fourth Ward eighth grader, said although she was nervous to interact with new people at the lunch, it was also exciting.
“It’s actually been chill,” Porter told rolling out. “The other girls and I are getting along and are having small conversations.”
Some of the conversations covered topics that included daily life in middle school, future high schools and career aspirations. Current sports events were also discussed, as “SportsCenter” played on the restaurant’s television.
Serrette has been involved in student-community exposure events for the past decade, although True World Link is still in its infancy. After October’s successful outing, she looks forward to hosting more trips and events soon for students who are heading to high school.
