Stories of Hope
Discover our ‘Stories of Hope’: Real-life accounts from our Teachers that inspire unity, resilience, and optimism for the future.
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ELVAN (BELGIUM)
in TeachersELVAN (BELGIUM) Volunteered From JULY 2023 TO SEPTEMBER 2023 2023 I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity to spend these 2 months at the Habibi Center, and for getting to meet and teach the amazing students there with the help of an amazing team. It was a truly invaluable time where I discovered…
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HUGO (FRANCE)
in TeachersHUGO (FRANCE) Volunteered From JULY 2023 TO AUGUST 2023 2023 It was a pleasure to teach and meet all of the students and teachers, at Habibi Center. Thanks for everything and all of the things we did together. I will also keep this first experience in a foreign country, in my mind because it was…
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AHMAD (SWEDEN)
in TeachersAHMAD (SWEDEN) Volunteered From JUNE 2023 TO JULY 2023 2023 My two months as a volunteer teacher at Habibi Center have been an extraordinary journey filled with heartwarming connections and unforgettable experiences. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this dedicated team and contribute, in my own small way, to the lives…
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DAVID (THE NETHERLANDS)
in TeachersDAVID (THE NETHERLANDS) Volunteered From MARCH 2023 TO JUNE 2023 2023 Unimaginable… that would be the sole description of my experience at Habibi Center. My background is not related to teaching, though I knew I liked working with teenagers through teenage camps I’ve led. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I really love…
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DANIELLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
in TeachersDANIELLA (SOUTH AFRICA) Volunteered From MARCH 2O23 TO MAY 2023 2023 I’ve love my two months at Habibi Center. My most treasured moments are those when the English book gets set aside and conversation flows, when questions get bounced back and forth, and my students and I can have that moment of connection. Teaching at…
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SHARLYN (THE U.S.A.)
in TeachersSHARLYN (THE U.S.A.) Volunteered From MARCH 2O23 TO MAY 2023 2023 Working with international refugees has been on my mind and heart for several years. I read their stories in the news, and I want to help support these people as they struggle to find new homes and better lives. I often think, “This could…
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TATIANA (THE U.S.A.)
in TeachersTATIANA (THE U.S.A.) Volunteered From FEBRUARY 2023 TO APRIL 2023 2023 I don’t think words are able to properly describe the Habibi Center. This place gives you a special feeling. Volunteering here exceeded all expectations I had. This nonprofit is unique, loving, and most of all a family. After my first week here it was…
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STIJN (THE NETHERLANDS)
in TeachersSTIJN (THE NETHERLANDS) Volunteered From JANUARY 2023 TO FEBRUARY 2023 2023 I think the fact that my two months of teaching at Habibi have felt like two weeks, describes my experience best. It was great to work with my students on a more intense level. Having a small class for 5 days a week really…
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PIPPA (CANADA)
in TeachersPIPPA (CANADA) Volunteered From JANUARY 2023 TO MARCH 2023 2023 These past three months at the Habibi Center have easily been the most gratifying in my 30 plus years of teaching English. I think I’ve come to understand how teachers “touch the future” such is the hunger for learning I’ve witnessed among the students every…
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NAYA (GREECE)
in TeachersNAYA (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…
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PHILIPPINE (FRANCE)
in TeachersPHILIPPINE (FRANCE) Volunteered From JANUARY 2023 TO MARCH 2023 2023 The two months I spent teaching at Habibi Center will be forever printed in my mind. The fact that it was challenging was the best part. It was my first time as a teacher and my first time being involved in refugees lives. I had…
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KITTY (HONG-KONG)
in TeachersKITTY (HONG-KONG) Volunteered From OCTOBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2022 2022 It was a meaningful volunteering experience. Thanks for having the opportunity to teach the refugee teenagers in Habibi centre. It has broadened my horizons. I learnt a lot from the students and volunteer teachers here. The volunteer work was challenging at the very beginning because…
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LOTTE (THE NETHERLANDS)
in TeachersLOTTE (THE NETHERLANDS) Volunteered From OCTOBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2022 2022 Even though I’ve been only been at Habibi Center for two months, I’ve been so thankful for this opportunity. To my colleagues and to my students: for making this such a meaningful and educational time. And I know these feelings go both ways. I’ve…
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ALISON (THE U.K.)
in TeachersALISON (THE U.K.) Volunteered From OCTOBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2022 2022 I found the Habibi Center whilst searching for a teaching post online and knew it would be the right one for me. Despite it being a volunteer position I applied immediately and was soon making arrangements with Steph for an 11 week stay. I…
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TIRZA (THE NETHERLANDS)
in TeachersTIRZA (THE NETHERLANDS) Volunteered From SEPTEMBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2022 2022 I have worked at Habibi Center for the past three months. Coming here was the best decision I have ever made. It has been amazing. My personal life had become very difficult and I needed a break. I came to Habibi and I was…
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GEN (NEW-ZEALAND)
in TeachersGEN (NEW-ZEALAND) Volunteered From AUGUST 2022 TO OCTOBER 2022 2022 It is hard to sum up such a meaningful experience with words. If you are considering applying to the Habibi center, I wouldn’t think twice. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about others, yourself and the refugee experience of young adults in Greece. Greek life…
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MARIAN (CANADA)
in TeachersMARIAN (CANADA) Volunteered From AUGUST 2022 TO OCTOBER 2022 2022 A quick Google search earlier this year led me to the Habibi Center and an epic 2-month experience that I’m struggling to find words to describe. I landed in Athens 8 weeks ago, a nervous and excited, jet-lagged traveler. This would be my first ESL…
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JOANNE (THE U.S.A)
in TeachersJOANNE (THE U.S.A) Volunteered From JULY 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 2022 2022 I am very thankful for having the opportunity to volunteer at Habibi Center. I have met many other wonderful volunteers passionately teaching and devoting their energy and time to the students there. The students are very respectable, self motivated and full of dreams for…
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ARTHUR (FRANCE)
in TeachersARTHUR (FRANCE) Volunteered From JULY 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 2022 2022 My 8 weeks at the Habibi Center were a completely new adventure for me! As an engineering student, it was an opportunity for me to change roles and teach my computer knowledge to students with incredible backgrounds, always very curious to learn and develop new…
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SIDNEY (CANADA)
in TeachersSIDNEY (CANADA) Volunteered From JULY 2022 TO AUGUST 2022 2022 As I walked into Habibi Centre on my first day, I took my shoes off and placed them neatly with the collection of shoes in the entryway. The teachers were sitting on the couches getting ready for the weekly Monday meeting. The atmosphere felt like…