When Forough Shahidpour came to America in 1984 from Spain by way of Iran, she didn't know whether she would stay or just visit.
She ended up staying, and after 27 years as a Spanish teacher at Aiken High, she is retiring.
"It's been a long visit," she said and laughed.
Shahidpour's family, who are of the Baha'i faith, moved from Iran to Spain to escape religious persecution. She learned the language and went to school there, receiving a degree in business and psychology.
She came to America in 1984 to be with her sister in Florence. Teaching became a possible career choice, and she attended Francis Marion University to become certified.
"I always thought that teachers were special people," Shahidpour said. "It takes a lot of patience and a lot of being good-hearted to do this job. I thought I could manage teaching very well, and I did."
But not at first.
Before student teaching, Shahidpour had never been in an American school, and she experienced extreme culture shock.
"Schools in other parts of the world are totally different with a very demanding curriculum," she said. "When I was student teaching, I would wake up from a dream every night, crying and wanting to go back to Spain."
To adjust, Shahidpour said she had to put herself at the same level culturally with the educational system here. Once she did, everything clicked.
She also learned from her students, both the English language and American culture.
"I learned the good as well as the bad," she said. "I learned what is offensive, what is rude, what behaviors should I expect from my students, and that I should not expect all the formalities between teachers and students in other countries - yes, to expect respect, but in a different context."
In her 29-year career, including two years in Lee County, Shahidpour estimated she taught more than 5,000 students, all of whom, she hopes, have a better understanding of the people and culture in other countries.
"My faith is about promoting peace and harmony, equality of races, equality of men and women - and language is the way for people to communicate," she said. "There are lots of Hispanics here. I hope that my students will understand the Hispanic culture, and the closer they are to understanding the culture, the more harmony it will bring to the community and eventually to the country."
Shahidpour said she has no definite plans after retirement. Sometimes, she thinks about returning to Spain to live in a small town. Other times, she thinks about staying in Aiken.
"I've been in South Carolina more than half of my life," she said. "Aiken High has been good to me. Aiken County has been good to me. I love Aiken. It's home."
A native of Aiken, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter. He joined the Aiken Standard in September 2014.