NAYA (GREECE)

Volunteered From JANUARY 2023 TO MARCH 2023

2023 So the two -month teaching experience at Habibi Center is coming to an end. I’ve been an English teacher for almost all my adult life but this was a unique experience that will stay carved in my head forever. I had only taught Greek students before and that was quite a challenge. Having to teach children with whom we didn’t share the same native language and some could only understand the basics in English. I think that during the first week I was as stressed as when I started teaching. How to connect with them, how to make myself understood, how to approach them gently without breaking their already-broken hearts. I played it by ear (and by Google Translate ) and I think I did it. Every single one of them is a different story but they have one thing in common: their desire to become better, to conquer the world, to have their dreams come true and of course all that by speaking English. They came every day after a tiring day at school (some of them attend greek school and I doubt if they manage to learn the basics there) always with a smile. They would ask me every single time “how are you teacher?” not out of habit but out of interest. And I treated them like a mother,like a teacher, like a guide. I have loved every single one of them and I feel that I made them feel safe and warm with me. I might have pushed them at times to learn more, to do better, to speak correctly but I think we connected to a deeper level. And that’s why it will be so hard for me to go- with the promise to come back though! I want to say many many thanks to the Habibi Center – Stephanie and Camille- for giving me this great opportunity and helping me go a step further into teaching English. The girls have truly set up a warm and welcoming place where students feel at home and have the space and time to grow and become better. I don’t say goodbye but see you again soon!