COEUR d'ALENE — One of Michael Paul's fondest memories of the beginning of his American journey took place after he drove his Jeep through a car wash in Post Falls.

When the wash was complete Paul, a native of Iraq, got out to dry the Jeep off and inadvertently locked his keys, wallet and phone inside. Unsure of what to do, Paul told The Press that he walked into a nearby laundromat, where the employee suggested he use their phone to call 911.

An officer Paul described as an amazing guy with a big smile arrived shortly after and quickly assisted him with getting into his car. The small act of kindness, Paul said, changed his life.

"Where I come from, the cop is against me because we do not have freedom," he said. "The concept of a cop helping me open my car was something so different."

Paul, who worked with the Navy as a cultural adviser and interpreter during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said there are countless examples of people in North Idaho helping him bridge the gap between the culture of his homeland and his new home in America. Now, he wants to return the favor.

On June 16, Paul will lead the first of a three-week seminar entitled "Language and Culture Series: Arabic" at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center, located at 1765 W. Golf Course Road, in Coeur d'Alene. The seminar, which lasts two hours each Thursday and begins at 6 p.m., will focus on the language, culture, art, music, and architecture of the Middle East.

"We'll end it with a session on food and the nutrition we put on our tables," Paul said. "I will make a demonstration for them, I cook very well."

Paul said he recognizes that he is a minority in North Idaho, and quickly realized there is a natural cultural barrier. The idea for the seminar, which he plans to eventually bring to other parts of the country, is to share the beauty of his culture with the community he has grown to love, he added.

"The majority of people in our community doesn't realize how much we have in common," Paul said. "I love the Northwest because there is a lot of similar things here. For example, people here are very generous of their time and effort — they want to invite you to their house and share their food with you."

The beauty Paul hopes to share, he added, is lost when individuals adopt a "They vs. I" attitude about others. Paul said he believes no human being wants to offend another person, but sometimes perception and the outside world paint others in a way that separates.

"There is bias everywhere in the world. But, I've always believed that explanation and understanding can fix any problem," Paul said. "I want to be a bridge that connects the two and fills those gaps."

For more information, or to register for the seminar, contact the Kroc Center at (208) 667-1865.