A Day with the Miami Valley Cowboys

A special course in English culture

from

The English Language and Multicultural Institute

University of Dayton

The students:

The Miami Valley Cowboys hosted this class of foreign college students August 8, 2005. Many of the college students from the Far East arrived the day before their visit with the Cowboys--a real tough day for them. Special thanks to Buckshot Jones, Charlie Redbird, Chihuahua, Corbin Dallas, Firewater Dave, Nunamaker, Red Mike, Snow Dancer, The Jinglebob Kidd, and Union for making this event possible. I think the Cowboys were more excited than the students.

The Institute has several missions, but the one bringing us together was to recruit, train, counsel, and place international students who wish to study Pre-Academic English, Study Techniques, and U.S. Culture/American Classroom Dynamics before entering into undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate training either in the U.S. or abroad. Our role was letting them explore a little U.S. culture--in particular, the American Cowboy and the Wild West.

During the morning, the student toured Hard Times and learned about a typical wild west town, the inhabitants, and what a day in the life of a women in the West was like. We also explored some of the wild west myths and let them know the exploits of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood were, perhaps, not an accurate representation of cowboys and the American wild west. Throwing in a little post-Civil War history with the U.S. expansion westward rounded out the morning just in time for lunch at the Club House. All were game for an extraordinary bowl of Chihuahua's Cowboy Chili--many had seconds! Along with Snow Dancer's Chuck Wagon Corn Bread and fresh fruits and veggies, everyone was plum filled-up before we headed back down to Hard Times.

Now the fun began! After a firearms familiarization and short safety talk, Nunamaker and Snow Dancer fired a demonstration stage at the Bank. And then we asked if any of the students wanted to give it a go. Everyone stepped forward--what a surprise! Even the double-barrel shotgun didn't scare anyone off. The students formed a line, and with the help of Cowboys at the loading and unloading tables and moving the firearms between stations and the prop, everyone got an opportunity to shoot the stage. We didn't use spotters but Jinglebob started off using the timer--something we learned didn't mean a whole-lot. With Jinglebob as the RO and Firewater Dave as a second safety officer with the shooter we had a very successful shoot. While we knew instructing students how to hold, aim, and fire the cowboy guns would be challenging, at least most everyone had seen a John Wayne cowboy movie and had the basic idea. What turned out to be the most challenging was getting them to start by touching their hats and waiting for the buzzer. Who would have thought?

We went long on our time schedule in the afternoon, but the instructors kindly let everyone get a turn. The excitement from the students: those having shot, those waiting in line, and all watching the shooter on stage was worth the effort. This truly was a multicultural lesson--for the Cowboys as well as the students.

Take a look at the photo gallery for pictures and more importantly the thank you notes with some very kind words; and at times, profound insight into foreign cultures. Our day with the college students holds a special place in our hearts! Perhaps we'll cross paths again at Hard Times before they return home or ten years from now at End of Trail--almost anything is possible!