The classroom in the Cathedral of Learning was packed with students. I was among them; I was taking my first exam since coming to America. Maybe because I was a bit nervous, the exam had barely started before I miswrote a word. I looked at the #2 pencil in my hand. It was just a pencil, without the part that I was hoping I could use to get rid of the misspelt word. So, I plucked up the courage and raised my hand. "Yes?" the professor up front inquired. "May I have a rubber?" I asked. The roomful of students fell dead silent. The professor came over, face perceivably red, and whispered into my ear: "It's called an eraser."