*The student who shared their story for this piece chose to be anonymous – their name has been changed here.

Leslie’s Story

Leslie had one week to decide whether to come to the United States. Her aunt and uncle, already living in Seattle, said they’d support her to come if she wanted to help accompany her two younger cousins. In the end, her goal of learning English was the deciding factor. “Here I’m going to learn English faster,” Leslie says, “There, I’d stay the same.” Still, she was nervous. She’d heard that the U.S. isn’t always welcoming to English learners. “More than anything else, if you come here they judge you for not speaking English.”

Leslie says that when she first arrived in Seattle she was afraid. “I’m not going to lie, I was kind of shaking.” She didn’t have very many expectations about Seattle, but when she arrived it all just felt so different from what she was used to. “I’m also from a city, but not like this. When I got here I just saw buildings, buildings, buildings.” 

Making friends has made the biggest difference in adjusting to life in Seattle. “When I got here,” Leslie says, “everything was in English. And I was like, ‘What about me, stuck in the corner?’ But then I started to get to know other people from other countries. We talked and I said to myself, ‘I can adapt over time. Let’s give it a chance.’ They told me that I would get used to it, that I would see.”

Even though she’s still fairly new to Seattle, Leslie has found her comfort zone at Seattle World School—a place where speaking English doesn’t feel scary. At home she can get shy or embarrassed trying to speak English, but not at school. “Here, I can be myself trying to speak English. If my classmates don’t understand me, they’ll correct me.” Being at school with others going through the same thing makes it easier.

Kandelia’s programs have also helped. Leslie has taken Beginner English and English Conversation classes, and appreciates that in Kandelia’s classes they get support without judgement. “No matter what level of English someone has at the beginning, they get encouragement that it’s ok and that they can learn,” she says. In Kandelia’s programs she’s focused on her learning goals. “If you come here, it’s for a reason, and you have to study. It’s not like I come here because I want to waste time.”

Leslie has thought a lot about the impact she wants to make in her career one day. She’s most interested in studying law or psychology, both careers where she thinks understanding other people’s perspectives is important. If she pursues psychology she’s particularly interested in supporting teenagers. “I understand how they think,” she says, “I want to support them in those moments when they don’t have anyone else, so they don’t have to keep things to themselves.” She may be young, but her goals show maturity and a genuine desire to make a difference.

For now, Leslie is taking her time getting used to her new surroundings and figuring out what her life can look like here. Each week, she’s settling in a little more – finding routines, meeting new friends, and gaining confidence in the process. She may not have everything mapped out yet, but she’s built a solid start in the short time she’s been here. 

If Leslie could give advice to someone new coming to Seattle, she’d keep it simple:  “More than anything, don’t be afraid to come to a place you don’t know. Once you’ve arrived you’ll look back and realize you’ve learned more than you ever expected.” From her own experiences she knows that overcoming the challenges of moving to a new place will make you less afraid about the future.

Leslie’s journey is still unfolding, but the support she’s received has already made a lasting difference. With your donation, Kandelia can continue offering opportunities and community for students who are finding their footing in a new place. Thank you for supporting this work!