notes from my students
I'm teaching an ESL class at a migrant shelter. Here are some thoughts from our students (some of the loveliest, sweetest men I've ever met in my life).
Where are you from?
I’m from Ecuador, I grew up in Cuenca.
Who do you consider your family?
I consider my father, because he is an example to follow.
What was your journey coming here?
First I flew to Salvador, second I walked many days from Central America, then I took a train in Mexico and finally crossed the border.
How has it been living in NYC? In the US?
To be honest at first it was very hard because everything is new; food, language, friends, culture - now I feel more comfortable, I’m focused on my goals.
Who are your friends or community?
My friends are people who can help me grow as a person, even in my career.
What challenges have you faced in your life?
In my life, I’ve faced lots of challenges like learning new languages.
What have been the happiest times of your life?
When I graduated in my career.
What are you grateful for?
I feel grateful for my family, because they are my support, also for the USA because I have a lot of opportunities to grow up.
What is something people often misunderstand about where you’re from?
The language
What is a value that is important to you?
For me, the most important thing is honesty.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of myself.
What is something that has shaped who you are?
My character, because nothing is impossible for me, I believe in myself.
How old are you?
I am fifty five years old.
Where are you from?
Venezuela
Who do you consider your family?
My mother, my father, my son, my daughter, my one grandson, my three granddaughters, my grandmother, my grandfather, my brothers, my sisters.
What was your journey coming here?
Very good, exiting and arriving good
How has it been living in NYC? In the US?
Excellent, very good
Who are your friends or community?
I don’t have friends, my like to walk only and my feel in my community
What challenges have you faced in your life?
Everything to who come
What have been the happiest times of your life?
What I arrived to the United States
How old are you?
I’m 63 years old.
Where are you from?
I’m from Colombia.
Who do you consider your family?
My children, my brothers, my grandson
What was your journey coming here?
Panama. Costa Rica. Honduras. Mexico border.
Who are your friends or community?
My neighbors and construction workers.
What challenges have you faced in your life?
To all those who have introduced themselves
What have been the happiest times of your life?
When I arrived in the United States
What are you grateful for?
For everyone.
How old are you?
35 years
Where are you from?
Morocco
Who do you consider your family?
I have family; two sisters, three brothers, and mother.
What was your journey coming here?
It was fun and dangerous.
How has it been living in NYC? In the US?
It was hard for me at first in New York. In Las Vegas it’s beautiful.
Who are your friends or community?
I have lots of friends.
Community: friends and I don’t have any problems with kind people. My family. I have social media apps.
What challenges have you faced in your life?
My biggest challenge was myself.
How old are you?
50 years old
Where are you from?
Togo
Who do you consider your family?
Everybody
What was your journey coming here?
Very eventful
What challenges have you faced in your life?
Trying to get my green card
What have been the happiest times of your life?
Conversing with my family
What are you grateful for?
To experience more or less good hospitality in the USA.
Where are you from?
I am from Ecuador.
Who do you consider your family?
children, wife, my mother and brothers
What was your journey coming here?
Guatemala, Mexico
How has it been living in NYC? In the US?
Pretty
Who are your friends or community?
No friends
What challenges have you faced in your life?
Learn English
What are you grateful for?
For my job, for my family, for my health
Hearing about their journeys to the US, I feel so deeply grateful to have been born here. Walking for a month to get from Panama to Mexico. Being handcuffed for days at the border. Years of not being able to see your children.
And these are some of the most positive, kind people that I’ve ever met in my life.