Eric VASSIO

Language Dancing 

Torreón, Mexico, was just the starting place for Eric Vassio. Always interested in other cultures, Eric became well versed in Spanish, English and computer languages in his 24 years in one of Mexico’s largest metropolitan areas, in the north of the country.

After mastering both Pascal and English, Eric realized why he loves learning the logic of both computer and foreign languages—there’s a beauty in the structure and crafting of communication no matter the vehicle. Discovering other cultures, other ways of thinking, speaking with young people and exploring new ideas you might not otherwise have the chance to get to know without speaking fluently in another tongue is just the start. Eric likes reading, teaching, sharing information with others in this exchange of ideas.

One pivotal moment was when he watched the 1984 film The Gremlins in English, and understood every joke and meaning.

On to Grand Rapids Michigan. Eric worked on a computer program for a Dutch company that developed Graphic Multimedia System, a graphics aid for Windows. Ironically, in snowy Michigan, he loved the weather! Although Torreón is warm (20º in winter/40/45º C in summer) by most standards, Eric is a northerner in his body: he prefers cooler weather. So he was happy to leave sunny state of Coahuila, and discover something new: that he LOVES SNOW. When he saw it for the first time, he dropped instantly to the ground and made a snow angel. One key missing fact: he was naked. “I wanted to really feel it, since it was the very first time and I was about 28 years old,” explains Eric modestly.

Structure Changing

After teaching Spanish to his boss in Michigan, he applied to work in France as a Spanish teacher. He came in 2000 to teach but spoke no French. When searching for the smaller city of Alençon, he pronounced it as “Alencon”, not “Alenson” so when translated, the –con ending made his request for information on how to go there sound incredibly filthy. Expert pronunciation in French became Eric’s top priority.

En route to his teaching post, Eric was greatly impressed by the TGV, but equal in his disappointment in the local train, a post-war clunker. Once he arrived in Alençon, which, in comparison to his hometown in Mexico, a million-plus population metropolis, he was surprised to say the least. Waiting a long time for his pickup appointment, a local eyed Eric several times when passing back and forth. Eric, who’d waited 45 minutes, was starting to feel abandoned or even homesick in this little village. This man, subsequently Eric’s ride, could not believe Eric was the Mexican Spanish teacher he was looking for; “Where’s your sombrero? Your mustache? Your horse?” he asked. Eric ventured on chapter 2 of his cross-cultural education and adventures.

Communication Evolving

For his third year as a Spanish teacher, Eric lived in Paris. He earned his master in linguistic engineering at INALCO in Paris. Eric loves Paris —  “It’s a lifestyle for the rest of your life,” he explains. A great dancer, Eric loves to dance all night, and he loves to cook authentic Mexican food. Loving the pedestrian lifestyle of Paris, he prefers to walk and ride bikes, taking the metro once a month. As a green enthusiast, he actively seeks to reduce his carbon footprint, but enjoys escaping the Paris summer heat in the charming city he so now loves, Alençon.

A big reader, and fan of sound effects in film, Eric enjoys taking his 12-year old son Manuel exploring Paris and French culture and language. Their future together is one rich with intercultural and polyglot exchanges and constant learning.