After breaking down language barriers as an international ESOL student on NE Campus, Mayra Mancera Flores became the adviser of the Cultures of Other Languages Club nearly 10 years later.
She said having come from Mexico, she felt like she belonged somewhere for the first time through this club.
“[All] cultures are welcomed and included here,” she said. “I think when we have different cultures, it makes us strong and allows us to learn from each other.”
Senator of the club, August Foster, who initially thought the COOL Club was a club for cool party tricks, said the culture of it made them stay at the club. They have now been a member for two years.
“A lot of students there are ESOL students, so they take English as their second language in their courses,” Foster said. “They join this club as a way to relax from class but still learn.”
Foster said their meetings, which are every other Wednesday or Friday, are comprised of different activities that are both fun and enlightening. They said the club recently had a spooky season meeting where they told stories around the world that members learned growing up. 
Likewise, the club did karaoke, and the members sung English songs.
Foster said through these activities, the members get an opportunity to learn English while having fun.
Mafe Gutierrez, the club’s president who is from Colombia, said she had her fair share of living in different states and cities in Texas, but she is glad she has now found the COOL Club.
“Sometimes, I feel scared to speak because of my pronunciation or grammar,” she said. “Now I’m president of the COOL Club, and this is such an amazing opportunity.”
She said the club values different perspectives, showing kindness and offering help to one another.
“We create new friends, and we learn so much from other countries and cultures,” Gutierrez said. “We are so happy to continue working hard and emphasizing an inclusive environment where a person’s English pronunciation is not a barrier to participation.”
