Liberty University students, Ally Cole and Ruby Wierzbicki, started out a regular Wednesday bus ride to campus complete strangers, but after sparking conversation with each other, they found out they have more in common than they thought.
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SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Two strangers sat next to each other on a campus bus in Lynchburg, Va., recently and struck up a conversation. Ruby Wierzbicki is 19 years old and a freshman at Liberty University. Ally Cole is 21 and a sophomore. I like small talk, Ally told us this week. You learn things. The students began by asking, what s your major? Exercise science for Ruby, graphic design for Ally. Where are you from? followed. Ruby Wierzbicki is from Blairstown, N.J., Ally Cole from Olney, Md. Ally ventured to ask, originally? Both young women are of Asian descent. Actually, said Ruby, I was born in China. I was in an orphanage and adopted. Me, too, Ally Cole told her. Do you know what orphanage?
I like small talk, Ally told us this week. You learn things.
The students began by asking, What s your major?
Exercise science for Ruby, graphic design for Ally. Where are you from? followed. Ruby Wierzbicki is from Blairstown, N.J., Ally Cole from Olney, Md.
Ally ventured to ask . Originally? Both young women are of Asian descent. Actually, said Ruby, I was born in China. I was in an orphanage and adopted. Me, too, Ally Cole told her. Do you know what orphanage?
The orphanage where they lived is often one of the few details children adopted from China know about their early lives. They usually do not know who their birth mother is; many mothers gave birth in secret, rather than be forced by the government to end their pregnancies, because of China s one-child policies that were in effect until 2015, and a prejudice for male children in many families. Some mothers left their children along roadsides, or in front of public buildings, where they hoped they woul
Home/News from NPR/Opinion: 2 Students On A Bus Discover The Connection Of A Lifetime
NPR s Scott Simon shares the story of two Liberty University students who met on a bus and, while making small talk, discovered they had met many years ago and many miles away.
Opinion: 2 Students On A Bus Discover The Connection Of A Lifetime
By Scott Simon
May 1, 2021
Two strangers sat next to each other on a campus bus in Lynchburg, Va., recently and struck up a conversation. Ruby Wierzbicki is 19 years old and a freshman at Liberty University. Ally Cole is 21 and a sophomore.
“I like small talk,” Ally told us this week. “You learn things.”
Originally published on May 1, 2021 9:54 am
Two strangers sat next to each other on a campus bus in Lynchburg, Va., recently and struck up a conversation. Ruby Wierzbicki is 19 years old and a freshman at Liberty University. Ally Cole is 21 and a sophomore. I like small talk, Ally told us this week. You learn things.
The students began by asking, What s your major?
Exercise science for Ruby, graphic design for Ally. Where are you from? followed. Ruby Wierzbicki is from Blairstown, N.J., Ally Cole from Olney, Md.
Ally ventured to ask . Originally? Both young women are of Asian descent. Actually, said Ruby, I was born in China. I was in an orphanage and adopted.