International Center Impact - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018

VOL. 1

INTERNATIONAL CENTER IMPACT Stories of Success

Orlando the

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row)

International

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PHOTO BY ROSEANN SORENSEN

Center

Showing the Best of Mexico Storyteller: Orlando | Country: Mexico I was a student at another school and the classes were mostly vocabulary. I knew my vocabulary, but I didn’t know how to use

IN THIS ISSUE "THE P.S. 1 PROGRAM IS CHANGING MY LIFE" (P.2)

the words, how to put them in a sentence. I needed more practice speaking. My friends told me about here and it is more conversation. I started in October 2016. I took all the classes five days a week and trips and had a conversation partner. In class, we

CONFIDENCE IN CLASS AND ON LINKEDIN (P.2)

get to practice speaking. It is a good feeling to be able to practice our English.

Now, I take classes three days a week. I work in a Tex-Mex restaurant as a line cook and soon I will be a supervisor. Now, I

FOM RUSSIAN ASYLEE TO ACTIVIST (P.3)

pick classes I consider more about conversation, speaking in public. It is important to me. It helps me in my job. At my job, the sous chef doesn’t speak well. He doesn’t communicate well with the chef. I told the chef, "If I am supervisor, I want to be a part of the solution and fix the problem." I am trying to improve myself, not just my English.

"MY BEST EXPERIENCE IN THIS COUNTRY IS IN THIS SCHOOL" (P.3)

I now feel more comfortable to speak with others. It took me six months to feel comfortable. I am a shy guy. It is scary when I meet new people. I was scared, but I made myself do it. Now that I know more English I can make more conversations. I feel more confident.

Continued on page 2

INTERNATIONAL CENTER

BY THE NUMBERS (P.4)

SPRING 2018

VOL. 1

Changing a Life and a Family

"Best of Mexico," continued What is important to me is the

Storyteller: "Susan" | Country: China

diversity of the different cultures in I am a parent of a first grade boy at P.S. 1. We are from China and

the classes. Maybe there are people

came here to be with my father. Ann Kwon, a school administrator,

from 20 countries in one class. So I

told me I could learn some English in school with other parents.

can see the view of many people from

Although I also take classes at our community center, I couldn’t

around the world.

communicate with my son in English, or help him with school. I want to keep up with my son’s education, so I started attending the

On the trips, I connect with other

P.S. 1 program on Tuesday mornings.

people. It is helpful to learn about American culture and make more

Now, I never want to miss a class. The teacher is very good and I

connections with other students.

am learning a lot while I get to talk to other mothers. My son is still struggling with education in English, but now I am starting to

I want to show the best of Mexico. It

understand how I can help him.

is important to me. In this country, Mexico is not always respected. When

Now in my second year of the class, I can do all my shopping in

I meet people from other countries, I

English, get help when needed, see my doctor and do errands. I

learn about them and I want them to

don’t need an interpreter anymore. Sometimes my teacher helps me

learn about Mexicans.

make a list of questions before I go to the store, and over time, I feel more confident about being here. Because I’m not so shy, I can

What surprises me is how much the

get out of Chinatown, giving me more opportunities to practice my

other students know about Mexico.

English.

They watch telenovelas, they like the food, and they talk about the cities

The P.S. 1 program is changing my life. I have to get a good job to

they visited in Mexico and they liked

help my family. Now I see that will be possible in the future

it. It makes me proud.

because of the progress I have made in the two years I have been in the U.S.

Confidence in Class, and on LinkedIn Storyteller: Sewook | Country: South Korea I started study here in September 2014 for two years. I studied until last year and then got a job. I work as a Digital Cyber Security Investigator. I was also studying in the Cyber Security Masters program at John Jay College at the same time as taking classes here. That is why I came to the U.S. I improve my English; that helps me get a job.

Here I can speak and be involved in activities. Here the teachers know my English level. I was taking a business class here and about how to find a job and write resume.

Also, I updated my LinkedIn, like you recommended. So actually, I got my job from LinkedIn.

The changes are important to me because they help me get used to living life in the U.S. The whole environment here is different from Korea. I have learned about American culture and the way people speak. I get Seewook

(center,

trip

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International

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PHOTO BY ROSEANN SORENSEN

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confidence to interview for jobs in the U.S. Also, I come here and feel productive.

SPRING 2018

VOL. 1

From Russian Asylee to Civil Rights Activist Storyteller: Lyosha | Country: Russia I came from Russia in 2014 and I was waiting for my political asylum to be granted. In Russia, I knew many people in the LGBTQ community and so when I came here I went to an LGBTQ Immigration Fair where I met someone who said to come to Catholic Charities Immigration Services for help.

There, I found out about the English classes and I was very excited because it was important for me to improve my English. I started going to Tim’s class and for one-and-a-half years I went religiously every day all day to the classes. Well, almost every day. I had three or four conversation partners who were all native speakers. As my English improved, Anna asked me to work shifts staffing the Front Desk.

PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH

Now, I do not take classes anymore but maybe you could call me a “recruitment officer” because I have brought more than 50 people from the Russia LGBTQ community to take the classes that the International Center offers.

Now, I can speak freely and my English is

International Center trip to the Statue of Liberty

drastically improved. Also at the Center in our lounge I met a diverse group of people from many countries and also had access to the native-speaking volunteers who gave me a sense of the U.S.

Sometimes I give workshops to the CC Immigration Services about LGBTQ immigration issues. I made

Facing Fear to Find Community Storyteller: Gloria | Country: Venezuela

many social connections at the International Center

I remember my first day because I was afraid. Of course,

and found a strong community there of volunteers

because in this moment I don’t understand anything in

and native speakers who gave me a sense of the

English. I don’t speak English. I don’t understand when

U.S. from their perspective. I acquired a lot of

the people speak English with me. I am afraid. My face all

social confidence.

the time is: “AAAHHHH.”

For my activist work with LGBTQ and immigration

I remember all the times when I returned to my sister’s

issues, I have had speaking engagements at many

house. She asked me all the time, “How was your day

places and with the media, including: New York

today?” And I said, “I don’t understand.” It was terrible.

Times, TV interviews, Atlantic Forum, and I spoke before Congress in Washington.

But now I am very happy because I can understand.

Because, for me, my best experience in this country is in

I volunteered and was co-president of RUSA

this school, in the International Center. At first I can’t

LGBT—an association of Russian-speaking people

learn English; I can’t understand. But all the people here

in America—and now I am Care Coordinator of the

are very nice—the volunteers, the teachers, all the people

Alliance for Positive Change, which gives case

here. For me, it’s the best place. I am here every day.

management for HIV patients, the homeless, and people with mental health issues.

I remember the first three or four months here. When I arrived in New York, if I wanted a cup of coffee, I

For all this I needed good English skills and a lot of

couldn’t buy it because I don’t know. When I go to the

confidence speaking in public.

supermarket, I can’t buy, for example, cheese or potatoes.

Anything.

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SPRING 2018

VOL. 1

"FacingFear," Fear,"continued continued "Facing But now, the most significant for me is now I can understand. I can speak with the people. I can understand the people. I can understand the Chinese people, the Russian people. I can speak with different nationalities. I can understand classes. Of course, there are a lot of times I can’t understand words, but I understand the context.

For me it’s the best because one year ago I can’t speak with anybody, but now I can speak with all the people here and in the street. For example, when I am in the subway and one person needs help, and she says, “Excuse me, you can help me?” I say, “OF COURSE! Of course I can help you.” It’s very, very important.

Because I’m alone here, I have more opportunities because I can speak. I understand English, I can speak in English. I can read in English. I like speaking to people. I like helping people, of course. When I can speak, or read, or help the other person, for me, it’s

Trips & Tours American Museum of Natural History Visit Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival Green-Wood Cemetery Walking Tour High Bridge Walking Tour Juilliard Concert at Lincoln Center Metropolitan Museum of Art Guided Tour

the best.

INTERNATIONAL CENTER BY THE NUMBERS SEPTEMBER 2017–FEBRUARY 2018 Total Students Served

580

-80 Maiden Lane

362

-Off-Site

218

Community Partners Total Volunteers Volunteer Hours Donated Conversation Partnerships Total Classes Provided

9 140 3,818 145 1,101

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER Immigrant & Refugee Services Division Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York Our mission is to teach English language and American culture to newly arrived immigrants, refugees, asylees, undocumented, and other new Americans to help ease their transition from newcomer to New Yorker.

NEWINTLCENTER.ORG | 646.794.3745 | 80 MAIDEN LANE, 14TH FLOOR, NYC