ESOL Speaks Literary Magazine

Fall 2019
ESOL Speaks
Fall 2019

Discovery
Published by: Community Impact at Columbia University

Designed by: Cheikh Fall

Edited by: Cheikh Fall

Back-page Designed by: Damelis P. Carrion Sarabia

ESOL SPEAKS is the creative writing journal of the Jobs and Edu-
cation Empowerment Program (J.E.E.P.) at Community Impact of
Columbia University. Manuscripts are original and unpublished poet-
ry, essays, short stories, photography, and drawings from students
enrolled in the Fall 2019 semester.

Views and opinions expressed in this journal belong to their respec-

tive authors and are not intended to represent the views of Communi-
ty Impact. Inquiries about the journal, our organization, or our vari-
ous programs may be directed to:

Jobs and Education Empowerment Program (J.E.E.P.)

Community Impact at Columbia University
105 Earl Hall MC 2010
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1492

Check out this issue on our website! jeepstudent.org

 ESOL Speaks
Discovery

Table of Contents

***

 10 AM -12 PM & 12-2 PM (CLOTH) ……………....7

 12-2 PM …………………………………………...9

 4-6 PM …………………….………………………24

 6-8 PM …………….………………………………35

***

Fall 2019
 A Dedication

from Community Impact

***
Dear ESOL Students,

It has been a great pleasure to spend this fall semester with you.
We sincerely thank you for submitting your artwork and writing to
this cycle’s magazine. To those staying with us next semester, we
are excited that you will be coming back to Community Impact to
further your studies. To those graduating out of the program, we
are very proud of your progress, and you will truly be missed. On
behalf of all the volunteers and workers here at Community Im-
pact, we would like to thank you for all your hard work, and we
wish you all the best!

Warmly,
Community Impact
ESOL Program Staff
December 2019

***
Level 1 10am-12pm
Austria Tejada

I like my new life because I am knowing a different culture, I am

learning English. I like the country because the laws are respected.
There is more education and opportunity.

Carmela Niemes

In this country I’m leaning to speak English. I have met many

people from different countries and I’m discovering their customs, cul-
ture, their way of being.
I have discovered and experiences its climate, very extreme. I met the
snow and many squirrels, see when the cold wind blows and the
leaves of the trees fall in autumn.
I like to paint but I want to learn more, I have visited museums very
interesting that I had only seen in books, for me it was extraordinary.

Subin Cai

I live in New York City. I found out that Columbia University is

an adult training institution. So I went to training.
I want to learning English language. My teacher is Jeff. He taught us a
lot of things. Our classmates love him very much!

Yesenia Romero de Hernández

Hello, I am a student of level 1. I am so grateful to God first and

to the teachers that they have dedicated their time to teach us each of
the English classes, and they strive every day so that I can learn every
day. Every day is a teaching that gives us life to continue learning to
live since this country is very learning because one is relating to differ-
ent types of people from different countries and different cultures.
This country is of many opportunities as long as we take advantage of
it in a positive signature no matter the immigration status of where you
come from.
God bless each one of those who teach us, and make it possible for us
to learn every day.

7
Level 1 10-12pm

Alamako Kaba

I have learned that it is union that makes the force. I saw almost
every kind of race. I discovered the beautiful corner of America. I have a
lot of appreciation. I met a lot of people, and I love the life of New York.

Miguel Epifanio Flores

What have you discovered?

New York is a place with things l have never seen before. It has different places
that l like to visit: shops, restaurants, bars and meet new people

What have you learned?

What I learned is to have a daily routine of work and study. l have learned a
little English, but l am still studying. l want to learn more in general.

8
Level 2 12-2pm
Inocencio Ovalles Montesimo

When I lived in DR. I thought the USA was different. I imagined

that this country all was clean and beautiful. But I discovered that in
NYC there’s a lot of trash in the street. And too there is places very ugly.

Mayra Concepcion

Two years ago i thought before coming here. It was different

since everyone said beautiful about this country. Because it totally mind
different.

It is very large and has many different things to my country I was im-
pressed. The streets are big. I building them big. And very cold and a lot
of snow falls in winter.

Candidad Carasco

When I came to live in the United States, I discovered that living

here is not too easy like I thought. I found many opportunities here to
improve my life, but I understood that I need to be prepare and also
know enough English in order to communicate with the people.

Laura Duque

New York, a city where I never imagined living but in which I have discovered
that you can fight for dreams to get ahead after a year and a half I can say that
it was worth it.
Today I have a wonderful husband at my side who supports me and together
we aspire soon to form our own home, I have a part of my family by my side
that we have gradually established ourselves. I have a job that has allowed me
to achieve my goals
My biggest wish is that in Venezuela the situation improves and so sometimes I
can go see the other part of my family that stayed there and visit my country.
Among my goals is to continue attending classes to learn English in order to
find a better job that allows me to have more time to study legal assistant and
get a license to sell insurance so that when I speak the language I can revali-
date my law studies and develop My lawyer profession in this country.

9
Level 2 12-2pm
Julissa Mariel Jimenez

I have discovered that to be able to do well here, life is bet-

ter when you study more and work hard at any time. If it is snow-
ing or raining you cannot make excuses to your things and always
do them to be able to go forward.
I like the city, in time I knew it was cold but not this cold. That was
one of the things I did not expect from this country. Likewise the
heat is very extreme because it is very hot, but still I like the cold
much more.
With the new language, I still don't get along very well but I am still
learning. I have a goal that soon I have to know English well but I
have known people who have a lot of time in this country and still
do not know the language. I have been here for a long time. It's
been 1 year and 7 months, and I've been told that I know the lan-
guage for so little time.
With my new life, I was already crazy for that moment to come. I
waited for it for a long time. I wanted to live it and to change my
place of peace. At the moment that my new life arrived I wanted it
more. I thank God for my new life although now it's as if I have two
lives because I am split into two countries but I still like it and I'm
fine with that.
I have learned many things in my new life and I have experienced
many good things, thanks to God. I have a friend that I get along
very well with. I have met several people but I almost do not visit
anyone. We go to places with other very good friend. She is the
only one I have and I do not think it is worth having another.

10
Level 3 12-2pm
Flor Rosales Chacon

My new life
I have dreamed of visiting New York, its skyscrapers, its diverse
people, its hectic life, its freestyle.

I am dedicated to living in New York, it is no longer a dream, it is my re-

ality.

I have discovered wonderful people who have extended their hand to

me, who have believed in me, who have taught me that "If You Can".

I have learned to have more humility, to value my loved ones who are
far away and give thanks because my situation is small when I hear that
of others.

I have learned that I can start over, that I can be wrong and that every-
thing is transitory.

I have met people from diverse cultures who come with dreams and
fears, people with incredible life stories, with potentials, people who
have achieved their goals.

I have known myself.

11
Level 3 12-2pm
Jessica Córdoba

My discovery this year began on July 3, I decided to come from Spain

precisely from the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria), for love. A decision
that was going to change my life completely, I have come other times
but living here is absolutely different. Having to get used to the need of
oneself, the schedules, not finding everything in one supermarket but
having to go to several to find different things, products that do not exist
here or exist but with totally different varieties. In my case, finding totally
basic things that I found in my island in any supermarket, here has been
a challenge. See how they constantly build or reform something again.
The weather in my case I have adapted a lot although the summer here
is not pleasant for the various buildings. In my opinion, living in the Unit-
ed States precisely in New York is a challenge. But as it has its con-
stant challenges, it also has incredible details, such as being able to find
many businesses adapted for people who leave work too late or have
more than one job and be able to take advantage of that little time
somewhere like the gym, a restaurant and various sites. What I like most
about New York is to see it at night; its lights make you feel so small but
with enormous energy, it is incredible. The reddish summer sunsets are
beautiful, they make you feel elsewhere

This new adventure for me is being bittersweet but every

time I find the sweet part. I am achieving my purposes and
increasingly I have the opportunity to fulfill them. life is made
to continue discovering things and ourselves.

12
Level 3 12-2pm
.Doris Gonzalez Calcetero

A new beginning!
About 20 years ago, I traveled regularly to this
amazing and wonderful country.
I visited several different cities like: Miami, Dallas,
San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Los
Angeles.
All thanks that God allowed me the opportunity
to study music and play the violin. This is the
most beautiful career that has taught me so
much. I always wanted to come back and live here.
Three years ago I had the opportunity to come
and stay a few months in Dallas. After six
months of having returned, a great opportunity
appears to return and maybe keep a job and
even the possibility of a projected relationship
towards marriage.
It seemed the perfect opportunity that
I always dreamed of a family where there
was a wonderful husband.
But it was absolutely far from being that
wonderful story and was quite the opposite.
I lived the experience that I never imagined
where I completely collapsed. And for a time I
was lost in my thoughts and experiences until I
decomposed physically, mentally and
psychologically.
I never imagined living something like that,
much less how fragile and delicate the mind
can be because it finally determines what we
get to do: decision making, our strength,
resilience, self forgiveness and forgiveness
itself.
The ability to overcome adversity, understand
it, learn from it, get the best and be able to
continue. It is achieved when you can process
adversity healthily and with love. To finally
have the option of becoming better people than we were before.
My case was cataloged by the authorities as
human trafficking and domestic violence and I
was terrified and I thought it was all a mistake.
When did I see myself in the middle of this and
I didn’t realize.

13
Level 3 12-2pm
.Doris Gonzalez Calcetero

A new beginning! (Continued)

And even more when you consider that you

are intelligent and that you are a good person,
that you know how to conduct yourself through
life and believing that this happens to others,
but that you would never live something like
it.
Today I am a new person, thanks to this strong
experience from which God Himself delivered
me, extracting the best teachings of life.
I thank God Almighty, this wonderful country
and each person that put in my way, to rectify
the wrong direction and create new
opportunities and new dreams.
I also thank: The Church of Grace Jesus my
Love, Safehorizon, The Legal Aid Society and
Community Impact who have supported me at
all levels. And with the great opportunity to
study, learn and interact. And so I will
recognize where I am, what I need and the
support needed to live again.

Thank you!!
Thank so much!
Doris Belky González.

14
Level 5 12-2pm
Doris Itzel Santos

15
Level 6 12-2pm
Evelyn Gonzalez

I would like to share my experience adopting my dog in

NYC animal care center in Brooklyn here it is:
“NYC gave to her the experience to save a life, that life it was coming
with love, great company, loyalty, with not exception! That life is always
happy to see her when she come home and that’s so relaxing and bene-
ficial.
She wants to share that feeling and to encourage to save a life too, en-
joying a life with a sense of happiness, laughs, and joy adopting and no
buying because adopting its mean giving a new opportunity in a loving
home to someone who have been lost or abandoned, its to support that
life who is waiting for you behind a cage”

Rowen Before vs after

16
Level 6 12-2pm
Rosa Marlene Pena

Coming to New York was more than a dream

You can't explain it unless you live here .
There is no description , no picture
No script , that could make you feel the vibe you find here.
If you are thinking about discovering the world, put your wings on high
and fly to New York
The whole world is gathering just in front of you, giving the best of their
cultures as a gift to you. The city moves fast and change anytime
Be careful with this, you could get behind.
New York is always challenging you every single day ,
You have to be always at the top of your game
The top fashion world is on everywhere
And the New York style is chic and
prêt à porter.
If you talk about jazz you talk about Harlem
And don’t forget the Hip Hop with all of its power. If you talk about crea-
tion, you are talking about New York. Creativity appears even on the
floor. The people are ready to fight to the end, but at 5pm let’s get a
beer and tomorrow we’ll begin again.
The Nights are a dream, the days are amazing
I just love New York. Even though it sometimes drives me crazy. New
York is a place where you find every minute a treasure. Every day it is
changing
Every day it surprises you with pleasure
I discover a city that completely changed my life. Its people, its places,
its energy
And its Broadway nights, its wonderful programs all around the city like
the one
I got the privilege to be part of, and learned the English Language. I am
really grateful for all of these moments, I won’t change a minute of these
wonderful times. In New York, I discovered the meaning of love, the
meaning of fight, the meaning of creation, the meaning of laughs, the
meaning of crying, the meaning of life. If someday I leave the big apple
behind, no matter where I go, I will always have with me the whole world

inside. My is New York

17
Level 6 12-2pm
Bruna da Silva

Fall brings winter message.

Fall announces that is a detachment moment.
Fall is honest when showing us that it's time to surrender
what is not long for us anymore. Surrender from inside to out-
side, of course.
Fall turns everything yellow.
Fall is gorgeous.
Fall is brief.
Fall is about getting ready for a new cycle, a harder cycle
called winter. Harder but necessary because the best trans-
formations come from the biggest challenges.
Fall has taught a lot.
Thank you, Fall!
I am ready.

Fifth Ave E 90th St - 91th St, Manhattan,

New York
Photo taken by Bruna da Silva

18
Level 6 12-2pm
Jannatul Marzia

My Inspiration
Today I am going to tell about someone who always encourages me to be
a good person and how to help people around me. This person is my fa-
ther. He always teaches me the true value of relationships and family.
Every day when I see my father, I learn something new and try to be a
better person. I also try to have a healthy relationship with my family,
friends and in-laws. My father has always been with his family in their
good and bad times. I find comfort when I think about him and his dedi-
cation to his family (us) and his extended family (back home). My father
is my hero. I want to be like him and I wish him a long life with great
health.

Pic: My marriage day –

2018

Pic: With my father – 1999

19
Level 6 12-2pm
Raul Nuñez

Maps and feelings…

In my personal opinion life's objective is no other than to
live, and I'm living the present, the here and now in New York City.
It is for a long stay, so that's why I'm still looking for a meaningful
answer. But while the answers arrive and are revealed, I must fol-
low my process of integration and learning about this country and
its culture, which I hope and wish to feel as mine.
When I arrived to New York City for the first time, I have to
say it was not a good impression. There were many shocking
things; the orientation was a chaos in my mind; streets and side-
walks were a bit crowded. And the subway... Oh my goodness,
the subway! I did not feel confident because the first stations I
usually moved through looked dark, dirty, and noisy. There were
homeless people in many places, and the subway line map made
me feel as if my head was going to explode, trying to remember
lines, connections, stations, exits and entrances. The worst thing: I
could not understand anything about the information broadcast by
the audio system; this was very frustrating, no matter what effort
and attention I put into it. But that feeling was at the beginning.
Now it is very different. Nowadays when I am going on the subway
trains, it is almost as if I were in a parallel world. The trip some-
times is a little tense, but most of the time it is interesting to get a
ride on the subway. It is an interactive experience, even more
when I have to do any transfer between different lines. It is like
participating in a reality show, or even better, like being immersed
into a computer game, going through different levels, crossing dif-
ferent layers until you reach the goal.
Sometimes each one of us is not aware we are continuous-
ly recording and adjusting, in our mind, the map about the places
we usually walk through, because of that map I could describe all
the streets and places of the city where I was born, and had been
living almost all my life, before coming to live in New York City, but
now, I'm still recording in my mind the New York City map, well,
the Big Apple map is ambitious and exaggerated, but at least the
map of Manhattan where I am living and working now.

20
Level 6 12-2pm
Raul Nuñez

Maps and feelings… (Continued)

I love how the way Manhattan is organized, a beautiful grid

made of avenues along the island. Those cross it from north to
south, and are numbered from east to west. On the other hand,
the streets that cross the island from east to west, and those that
are numbered from south to north, maybe it is difficult to under-
stand at the beginning, but when you get it, there's no way you
feel lost in New York. Well, you probably need two more details
and a clue. The first one is about the Broadway Avenue, which
crosses Manhattan diagonally from north to south. The second
one is about the Fifth Avenue, which divides Manhattan between
east and west, and the clue is when you need to get orientation by
yourself and don't know where the north is, remember America is
in the northern hemisphere, so every day the sun is crossing Man-
hattan by the south.
Day by day, step by step I have been building my new life
in New York, and I am still doing it.
I had heard this was a cosmopolitan city where you can find
people from all around the world, but I never thought you can live
here speaking just Spanish; that was shocking. I wanted to speak
English as native speaker and thought living in New York City, it
could be like an immersion in an English speaking environment,
but it has not been as I supposed.
Another thing I had heard about New York was this is the
city that never sleeps, well, it depends on the point of view... New
York sleeps in the subway! There had been occasions when I
went into a wagon and almost all the seats were occupied by
homeless people lying down sleeping. Like if you were in the
sleeping wagon on an interstate train, but irony aside, when you
go in the subway after midnight until sunrise, you can find a lot of
workers sleeping on their seats, defeated by fatigue, after having
spent the night keeping awake the soul of this amazing city that
never sleeps

21
Level 6 12-2pm
Raul Nuñez

Maps and feelings… (Continued)

The map of Manhattan is growing in my mind; the most recent

pieces of that puzzle are the streets that cross and surround the
Columbia University campus. I love to follow up the path when I
go to ESOL English classes from Monday to Thursday. The uni-
versity's campus is so gorgeous. Those beautiful buildings are an
inspiration. When I am in the campus, my imagination flies. Some-
times it is like walking through an ancient Roman forum. Other
times the time machine brings me not only to the nineteenth cen-
tury, but the twentieth century also. That combination of classic
and modern buildings lets me enjoy the beauty of that noble
knowledge temple while I'm looking for the light in my way.
The song says if I can make it here, I will make it anywhere;
it's up to me... I hope to be testimony of that; however, for the mo-
ment, to be successful in the manner that I want, what I'm doing is
improving my knowledge about this language. My desire is to
speak fluently as a native English speaker, even though, I think
one really speaks another language when one is able to feel in
that language. This is difficult to achieve in a language other than
mother tongue. In spite of that, I'm having my first feelings in Eng-
lish because I feel deeply and absolutely grateful to the teachers
who have helped me to increase and enhance my language skills,
giving me the confidence to go beyond. Finally, of course, I'm
grateful to all the people who are working in this wonderful pro-
gram of the Community Impact at Columbia University known as
ESOL.

22
Level 6 12-2pm
Myra Machado

American dream
Let's say you won the battle and crossed the border.
The snakes gave you the locator.
In that desert that are your black eyes and straight hair, the mi-
rage became a reality.
But now your crusade is another.
It is forgetfulness and memory.
It is wanting to forget having become another figure of sexual vio-
lence in Reynosa.
It's smelling cocaine and remember that you were a girl from your
town.
The white skyscrapers closed their invisible doors for you.
It is the bottle in the head when you work at night.
It is screaming without words in an unrealizable dream.

23
Level 4 4-6pm
Ismael Cisse

My experiences in New York City

I have lived in New York for five months and I am living a great experi-
ence. People here are different from where I come from and I discov-
ered many things I would like talk about. The first thing I am going to talk
about is the language. I come from a country where all the people speak
French anywhere you go and we learn English two hours per week dur-
ing high school studies. So most of the people don’t speak English ex-
cept the English teachers or people who want to move US or England.
As far as I am concerned, I was very good in English at school but when
I came, I had difficulty understanding what people were saying. I under-
stood that English of US is different from what I learned at school. I nev-
er knew that English can be different from one place to another. Fortu-
nately, I was forced to take English classes to improve my listening and
speaking. The second thing I am going to talk about is the new culture I
discovered. Here I met different people from diverse continents such as
Asia, South America, Europe, and Arabic countries. People kept their
native cultures and learn American culture too because it’s important to
learn the culture of the country where you are become resident. Togeth-
er they live in a nice environment where everyone can do and practice
their native culture without harming community life. The most important
thing is that everyone respect the culture and practice of others people.
The law guarantee you your right to do what you want and tell what you
want and that freedom is very important because in my native country
people are afraid because the law doesn’t protect them. Here you have
the most chance to succeed in life because the government helps all the
people and give opportunities to all. The third thing I am going to talk
about is the social service of here. I was surprised to see a lot of social
services that you can find to help you in your new life. People give their
time and knowledge to improve the life condition of people wherever
they come. Many people work and volunteer in different social service to
help people in need. In addition, New York is a wonderful city where
people don’t get bored because you have many beautiful places to visit.
In conclusion, I realize that I am living a best experience of my life and I
want to succeed and help others in the future.

24
Level 4 4-6pm
Zarchi Kyaw Win

I am from Myanmar. I am a Burmese girl. I had a dream that I

wanted to visit to New York since I was a little girl. The place of tall build-
ing, Empire State, Statue of Liberty and the Time Square were the plac-
es that I wanted to go when I watch movies. I didn’t know much about
foreign county and I never thought I would experience living abroad in
my life. Actually, it was my new life when I moved to New York. It was
unbelievable for me. When I arrived at the airport, it was exciting. It was
difficult for me to move to a new city because I knew no one and I didn't
even have a new friend. When I start my new life in a different country, I
need to know about their culture and I need to speak their language.
Everything, everywhere, everyone was new to me. I thought I could not
live there for long because I was scared. Therefore, I decided to learn
English at the Community Impact. The teachers are very kind. They
helped me to understand and many things. Now I do not feel afraid be-
cause I have lots of friends. We can learn each other’s culture, language
and so on. I am very happy to come here and study English at the com-
munity impact. Now I start to feel like New York is my sweet home.

25
Level 5 4-6pm
Yunhong Yu

After I traveled to Europe, My head-company sent me to Ameri-

can. I came to a great city-- NEW YORK. My dream will start here .
I knew about New York City from a number of younger people.
Here has their dreams, their hopes, their desired development spaces
and chance. During these years, I have met many different Americans.
But you know my favorite is local New Yorkers who are very kind, enthu-
siastic, optimistic, and friendly. When I was strolling the streets, I always
lost my ways. These New Yorkers will surely come to you and pad on
your shoulder, and in a strong accent ask you what you want to do or
where you want to go. At that moment, I thought I came back to my
hometown --BEIJING. That familiar feeling has warmed my heart. And
they always walked with you to where you want to go. When we arrived
there, they spoke Chinese language with me suddenly with a loud laugh.
What a big surprise for me! Because he had been speaking English to
me all the way, and suddenly he spoke my mother- language, my brain
had not return back where I was. It was simply funny.
When New Yorkers speak English with special accent, their
voice come from the throat, and with strong "er‘. It is similar to Beijingers
who speak with heavy retroflex consonant. It is very different from other
cities accents.
On the other hand, I have a set a plan for preparing to introduce
New York City's buildings to the Chinese. The art of architecture in New
York City is very different, and keep its special history developmental
trace. Different culture or religion have different architecture arts. Each
building is unique.
The mighty Empire State Building, located in the middle of Man-
hattan, can bee seen wherever you go. Look up at it, you will be im-
mersed in 88 years ago at that time. The prosperity and economic devel-
opment of the United States advanced as seen like some of the pictures
show in front of your eyes.
Now, The world trade center is the best of modern art which is
located in downtown, nearby Well street -- the world famous financial
street.
So New York is a colorful city. Any building has its history. New
York City belongs to the world. It does not only keep traditional culture
and create many new architecture arts.
I am proud of living in this city. It seems like a book, which I could
never finish reading.

26
Level 5 4-6pm

27
Level 5 4-6pm
Alva Acevedo

My Little Life History in New York: How ESOL Changed My Life

I am from the Dominican Republic and came here many years
ago. At that time English classes weren’t cheap; that made me try to
learn by myself in order to take the CGFNS test to qualify as a regis-
tered nurse because I graduated as BSN in the Dominican Republic, but
didn’t know English.
The test had two parts, one part nursing knowledge and the oth-
er part English grammar. So I pass at the nursing part but not the Eng-
lish grammar, but I needed to get a job to survive and support two chil-
dren that I let in Santo Domingo studying bicause I a single mother. I
came back to take the test for technical level and I qualified for LPN reg-
istration. Finally I got job and started to work hard. Both of my children
are college graduates and professionals and I am so proud of them. I
must say that three years ago when retired, I was so bored and some-
times depressed with nothing to do. I used to go to a nursing home in
my neighborhood to help as a volunteer, but I didn’t feel good, so my
oldest son Sandino, insisted that I must do something, maybe learn
something because that would be good for my brain.
I decided to improve my English. One day he said, “Let’s go to
the computer to see what we can get for you.” First we founded ESOL
program and that changed my life completely. The first place was the
international center very good; I met many people that come from differ-
ent countries of the world I socialized and made a lot of friends. Then we
found Community Impact ESOL at Columbia University and that has
been changed my life completely. I felt happy. I go out every day, I feel
great. My goal is to speak English fluently by May 2021. If not even
sooner

28
Level 5 4-6pm
Stepan Morozov

THE WAY CALLED LIFE

My short story tells about my own Way that called "Life". Some-
times this way has different angles and directions.
And this Way moved me to the greatest city in the World - New York
(sometimes called "Big Apple"). I've never seen plenty of people and
their cultures like in this city. I met my real friends from India, Peru, Do-
minican Republic and other countries even though I didn't know some of
them before. And of course I met my American friends. They introduced
me to their culture - songs, traditions, sports, taught me new expres-
sions, American slang, showed me a lot of amazing places and things,
told interesting facts and ideas, even showed me new technologies -
solar panels.
And I'm excited about the nature in the USA - the huge range of land-
scape - city landscape, beaches, wild fields, cactuses, snow mountains
and more beautiful places.
Also on this Way I met my lifelong dream... That's a study in Columbia
University. When I was first time in the USA in 2008, I thought that it was
impossible to study there. It's been 11 years and my dream came true.
I've gotten my first lessons in English classes from Community impact.
Knowledge of English which I've got there helps me move faster and
easier because our communication skills can help us "reach to Roma".
Therefore I discovered the proof for myself that everything is possible.
Everyone can change their own life, body, environment, everything if
moving forward to the goal. Just doing small steps every day we can
reach any goals. Never stop, keep moving on your own Way.

29
Level 5 4-6pm
Matías Mejía Miguel

Cultural Diversity Enhances Academic Relations.

Community Impact at Columbia University.

Thanks to Community Impact at Columbia University, this

has provided a formidable academic space for learning English as
a second language, which will undoubtedly allow us who are in
this learning process to be able to insert ourselves more easily
and effectively to the work, academic and socio cultural life of the
United States of America.
Experience that has been nurtured with the sharing of classmates
and teachers from various cultural entities, forging our relation-
ships, friendships and learning from their diverse cultural environ-
ments.
That enriches this experience more and makes it more interesting,
because it allows you to expand your socio-cultural knowledge
and create new horizons on our map and intellectual conscious-
ness, this is invaluable, the life of a culturally diverse world in a
learning space, human, fraternal, warm, helpful, linguistic and in-
tellectual.
Thanks to each one of you who make it possible for our experi-
ence during our learning to be possible, in addition, to be prosper-
ous and enthusiastic.
Teachers, students and the entire Community Impact staff and
sponsors thank you very much for your support, remember that
supporting us support our families and so extensively.
God bless each and every one of you.

30
Level 5 4-6pm

Oummou Kaltoum Moussa Soumaila

31
Level 5 4-6pm

Habayatou Bah
My name is Habayatou Bah; I come from Guinea, a country which is lo-
cated in West Africa. My country is a French speaking country. I have
lived in New York City for one year and seven month. In this essay I am
ask to write about what I have discovered in my new life? What I have
learned? Who I have met?
In fact, when I came to New York City, I did not speak English at all. It
was really hard for me to communicate or to express myself with others.
This was really hard for me. As for now I can communicate with people
easily and understand what others are saying.
New York City is a very big City, there are so many things to see and do.
What have the most impressed me are:
1. The diversity of the City, you can see and meet the whole world
(Black, White, Indian, Arab, Spanish etc…) people with different
religions (Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu etc…).
2. The Transportation system, the way the Subway transit system
work is so impressive. Especially when you come to Times
Square subway station, where different lines meet the 7, 2, 3, Q,
R, etc… and the way each one goes it way. This is so amazing.
3. The New Year's Eve at Times Square where more than two mil-
lion people come to celebrate the new year ball drop is the most
amazing thing to see .
4. The Central Park in the middle of Manhattan is something you
see nowhere in the world. A park which goes from south at 59 th

street to the north at 110 Street, and from east at 5 Avenue to

th th

the west at 8 avenue. In this park you can find anything, such as:
th

a museum, a Zoo, a Lac, a basketball field, even a concert place

etc…
In conclusion, New York City as they say, is the City that never sleeps.
And if you can make it here, you can do it anywhere. There are only two
options in New York City (you love it or you hate it), but for me I love it.

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Level 6 4-6pm
Ayane Nagura

From my view of New York: a treasure trove of discovery

Living in another country brought me tons of discoveries.

There are many things I did not know before moving to New York
City which has great diversity.
New York City has a variety of people and cultures. It is hard that
people live together with different backgrounds, but New Yorkers
live together with their own identities. It is a normal thing here, but
I was so impressed when I came to this city for the first time, and I
thought, "why does it work well?" I'm still not 100% sure the an-
swer to this topic, but I realized two main points after living in this
city for over a year.
First of all, everyone has positive energy. I feel it all the
time I meet new people in New York. They are covered with full of
confidence about being themselves. They don't compare to them-
selves and the others. I can tell they should have some bad days,
but I usually don't feel it. Although they are feeling bad for some
reason, they say or think something positive, and it makes others
positive. In this mixed culture city, it might happen some troubles,
but I can feel that is no big deal. People have each aspiration and
just do what they should do to achieve their goals. That's why I
also can be just myself not afraid to talk about my big dream. I'm
sure that people in New York never give me negative comments.
Secondly, people respect each other and try to under-
stand others a lot. Having a different background, everyone can
judge others with the stereotype. It happens a lot, and in my expe-
rience, I didn't notice I had a stereotype until I faced it. Sometimes
I felt so ashamed that I didn't know another culture and misunder-
stood. But the point is that if you encounter something new or
things that don't match your image, you can just ask, learn and try
to understand it. I believe this is one of the ways to respect others.
To get along with others have different background and culture
need more concerns, discussion, and respects. I can't say it's sim-
ple and easy things, but it's very interesting and worth trying.
To sum up, this mixed culture city is fascinating for us be-
cause of the positive energy and respect of people living here. Al-
so, I think this place welcomes new people who have great vibes
and beautiful hearts. I feel like I'll discover something new in and
out of myself as long as living here.

33
Level 6 4-6pm
Dany Gogbe

My Mother

My mother is a sunset.
My mother is a piece of the night.
My mother is a breeze on the beach.
My mother is soft like cotton.
My mother is beautiful like the moon.
You can be her son, her daughter,
her grandson, her granddaughter.
My mother is a good meal
we savor at the table.
My mother is a bird who sings
early in the morning at your window.
My mother is my blood, my mother
is me, my mother never leaves me.
My mother is my soul.
My mother lives in me.

-Dany Gogbe

Student from Ivory Coast, Côte D'ivoire

34
Level 6 4-6pm
Aboubakar Kante

It was my first dinner with my friend in New York City, and also my first
month in New York.
My friend and I and his wife decided to go to the Pollo D’oro restaurant
on Gold Street in Brooklyn. The three of us took a taxi from home to the
restaurant.
When we arrived at the restaurant and took our seats, the waitress
welcomed us and offered us menu. The waitress was very beautiful and
dressed up, and I had difficulty speaking with her and reading the menu,
so I was a bit worried. Everyone in the restaurant that day was white and
we were the only black people there. I was surprised at this, and every-
one else in the restaurant was dressed up as well.
I asked the waitress, “ do you have any African food”? And she
laughed. After I looked at the menu, I just randomly chose a dish, not
knowing what it was. When she brought the food, unfortunately, it was
not something I enjoyed and had a hard time eating it. We finally left the
restaurant at 2:00 AM.
This was an unforgettable birthday for me

Level 2 6-8pm

Ximena Rodriguez

New York City, thousands of told stories and others secretly kept
in huge buildings…X.R

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Level 3 6-8pm
Simpore Sompassate

My name is Simpore Sompassate I am from Burkina Faso.

I have been in America with my daughter since august 2018.
My daughter goes to school and she's on the 8è grade. And Me, I am
learning English at Columbia university.
When we came in this country, we had a difficulty to communicate with
people .
Now we are very Happy to be here.

Delia Racchumi

Hello Friends of community impact,

Thank you for the support you give me every day in my English classes.
When I got to New York I wasn’t impressed at all since I arrived during
the winter. Leaving the airport I saw many treats without leaves and eve-
rything was dry. Since my husband was already here I asked him why
they didn’t cut all the dry trees. He told me that once it's spring I will get
to see how beautiful everything is once it blooms. As the days went on I
got to know many places in New York. I visited Times Square and I was
impressed by the amount of screen there were. I went to Grand Central
and you could see the constellations. There are also columns that when
you speak you could hear it through another column. Also, as the Staten
Island Ferry moves away from Manhattan you are able to see the beau-
tiful views during the day or at sunset. Finally, at night when the sky
scrappers light up its amazing.

36
Level 3 6-8pm
Benita Martinez

When I arrived in New York, my life took a turn and I

never imagined that there were so many beautiful and different
things to my country to get to know each different place people
from all countries and their languages I felt confused but at the
same time glad of the change I had Here in this place I realized
that with effort and work you can achieve goals that we set was
also very exciting for me when I visited a time square and I saw
those large buildings covered with beautiful screens announcing
the products sold by the stores that are There, I was also excited
to see so many people together on the stairs taking pictures just
as I also took pictures and as the days passed each place was an
emotion for me when I first got on the train is a unique experience.
Having to agree in a place where the main language is not
mine motivated me to study English so that I can continue advanc-
ing my studies I have met people from different countries that in
my country you might never know and from each of those people
you acquire different experiences.
It has finally been a very pleasant experience to have arrived in
New York.

37
Level 3 6-8pm
Abdoulaye Barry

My name is Abdoulaye BARRY, I am from Guinea, West Africa. I

speak French. Since January 2019, I live in Bronx, New York, with
my wife and three children. I discovered a hospitable country, and
attractive tourist places such as: Central Park, Bronx Zoo, Statue
of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller
Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Memorial of
September 11th.

On the 30th of September, I started my English classes at

community impact of Columbia university, ESOL Program Level 3
and through this program which includes nine chapters (unit) . My
English has improved a lot. I recommend and I encourage others
to join.

I had new friends from different countries with different cultures

38
Level 4 6-8pm
Rosaleano Ramirez

I spent ten years in New York. During that time and discovered
endless events. Such as the Thanksgiving parade something very beau-
tiful and living it was a very beautiful experience.

Other discoveries are visiting the Rockefeller Center, where the skating
rink and the largest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. And in the same way
on the fifth avenue to observe the theatrical spectacle of lights of ten
floors is something unique.

Another very nice experience is to go to school to learn English and

meet new friends from different countries and especially teachers.

Sekou Diallo

New York is a place that I heard about since my childhood. A dream city,
a city of big bridges and grand buildings. New York is a place that im-
pressed me the moment I landed. I've been fascinated by its beauty. I
started my visit as a tourist in a new city, and I discovered so many
things.

The first place that I discovered was the amazing Times Square, with its
high buildings in light, always crowded with people 24/7.

Thereafter, I went to another of my favorite places, the Brooklyn Bridge,

to enjoy the magnificent view. I also discovered the subways, and I've
been really impressed by the building under the ground, especially in
Times Square and Grand Central. It’s like a city under the ground, where
you can walk until you get tired moving between different train stops.

Apart from those edifices, I also met different people from different coun-
tries, different cultures, different religions. I also learned the rigor of work
in America. I've been learning American culture and also the language
for a better integration.

I really liked what I discovered in my new life and I'm pretty sure that I'm
going to meet a lot of people, learn a lot of things and discover other
amazing places here in New York.

39
Level 4 6-8pm
Nama Efila Christiane Pauline

One of my favorite New York discoveries is the American sub-

way. It is another kind of life, transportation in the depth of the earth. The
train can take you fast from one point of New York to another and you
paid less than you might think. In one train station you can have five
floors in height and three or four railways in width. The American genius.

Michelle Zerbib

Learning how to use metrocard

In my city in Brazil, we use a different, old method to make public
transport card payments.
For me, it was all new and it took me a long time to learn, alone using
the machine you buy, refills the metrocard.
Regarding the transportation by train, which here facilitates the move-
ment from the center to the suburbs, that was all new to me, that we can
have trains to various destinations on the same platform.
It makes life much easier for train users, but in my hometown not quite.
I have nothing to complain about using metrocard and public transport
here.

40
Level 4 6-8pm

Yanneris Pichardo

Discovery
The discovery starts from birth and we discover that a whole world
of learning awaits us, but the most important thing is to discover
the wonderful moments we live with loved ones and family, dis-
cover that all dreams can be achieved if you put them into prac-
tice. And along the way discover another way to start you can
lose. But discover that everything is possible if you do not risk it.

For many years, we discovered that we have a wonderful world

full of nature and that every day we need to discover and take
care that it is very important for our lives and that it is still im-
portant every day to discover new things, therefore, in order to live
we must discover.

41
Level 4 6-8pm

Abdoulaye Belem

There are so many good reasons to talk about discovery in

New York because it is a wonderful State and City.
One of my favorite New York discoveries, it’s the SUBWAY.
Indeed, the subway structure (architecture, configuration) is so
amazing precisely the road with so many routes interwoven,
beautiful, between them and go everywhere in New York.
For example, when you get the subway and take the train from
everywhere in New York (uptown or downtown), you can be
up on the train and see the city down, look at by the windows.
Finally, the subway is very fabulous.

42
Level 5 6-8pm
Yessebel Rodríguez

-- Really I don't have so much that I could say, I don't have a long time
in the United States and this is my first level in the ESOL program.

From my country I studied English when I was in high school I learned

the basic but that was a long time ago.
When I came to this country, it means a new life for me, start again, and
it's very difficult to adapt to a new language. I was desperate. I couldn't
understand what people said to me, and I couldn't communicate by my-
self; that was terrible. I said to myself "I need to learn English".

It was great found a program that adapted to my needs, that helped me

with one of my big fear "talk with others", I always thought that I couldn't
make I mistake, "What if I said something wrong..." I thought, but now I
just think that I'm learning... and the criticism, negative or positive, will
only make me improve more.

43
Level 6 6-8pm
Jean Roody Chatelain

Freedom Everlasting

Oh freedom I cry out loud

With my conch shell in my lips
My endurance is suffering
My victory over passion
Come deliver me from man’s oppression
I have dreams that I want to come true
I want to protect the weak and the needy
Keep me safe to battle in my journey
To break the chains of ignorance
When the sunset goes and night comes
My eyes long for you and for the fulfillment
Of your righteous promise, freedom
Grant me this day a new vision of the truth
I always remember your wonders of old
How our eyes fought to free our land
Let me sit me down at your feet
In the face of tragedy
Keep me brave, strong, and refreshed
Come destroy the sword and the weapons of the war
Let the leaders obey you and submit to your will
Please fill our hearts with the hope and wisdom
Let sit together to bring the energy of life,
Love, peace, justice, equality
Oh freedom do not hold you liberty or be still
And let your dream kiss each other
A man an equal- an enemy a company
Freedom begins when slavery ends.

44
Level 6 6-8pm
Mary La Torre

One Day, years ago I arrived in NY, directly from Lima, Pe-
ru. That specific day, I actually felt that I belonged to New York
instantly. I think that someone can feel attached to NY in as little
as five minutes as if you were here five years because NY is magi-
cal!
I discovered that it is the loudest city on the planet Earth,
but anyone who lives here, loves it! My huge discovery is that New
Yorkers get crazy, and very stressed, and become “insane” people
commuting everyday in the subway. It is funny, I’ve turned the
same type of crazy once I settle down here!
One of the magical things that you can experience in NY is
to feel the soft air blowing from a subway grating on your legs and
you can also smell lilac and garbage and expensive perfume all
mixed with Hindu or Mediterranean cooking seasoning species on
your way to work, or to study or to commute back home!
Poor people mixed with rich people, all together in one spot, in
one subway, and at that Crazy commuting moment, all people are
the same! That’s the NYC that one day a long time ago I fell in love
with and have never stopped loving!

45
Level 6 6-8pm
Taras Kushnir

I like Christmas. From my childhood, this holiday brings me a lot of good

memories spent with family and friends. The Christmas Tree aroma, col-
orful ornaments on it, candies, Christmas lights, carols singing, lots of
presents - all of those create a cheerful mood.
Christians usually should prepare for Christmas in advance recommend-
ed 40 days before. Usually this period in prayers and in getting rid of all
bad habits and flaws in character like fear, solitude, envy, thirst for mon-
ey, thirst for power, high self-valorization, smoking and drinking alcohol.
Few people know that the popular American "Carol of the Bells" has
Ukrainian roots, it is the original Ukrainian song “Shchedryk” written by
Mykola Leontovych in 1916.
For the first time, a song written by composer Mikolai Leontovich was
performed by the choir of Kyiv University in 1916(Kyiv - the capital of
Ukraine).
This song was introduced to a Western audience by Ukrainian National
Chorus during 1919 concert tour of Europe and the Americans, where it
premiered in the United States on October 5, 1921, to a sold-out audi-
ence in Carnegie Hall. Later, Peter Wilhousky rearranged the melody for
orchestra with new lyrics for NBC radio network's symphony orchestra.
She liked the Americans so much that in 1936, Peter Wilgowski, a
Ukrainian of origin, translated Shchedryk, which was named "Carol of
the bells". It was in this version that the song received world fame.
Unfortunately, we remain occupied. Moscow invaders have issued laws
banning the Ukrainian language 134 times. They burned books and
killed talented Ukrainians, priests, and teachers.
Moscow has dealt with the author of the "Carol of the bells". The agent
the KGB's was killing M. Leontovich (01.23.1921) very audacious...
I like the Ukrainian traditions that we still keep in the Ukrainian as well
as in the US.
After church mass, I will go to caroling with a performance group of peo-
ple. We will visit elders to share the joy and to wish everyone with wish-
es for them happy Merry Christmas and well next year and did dreams.
Old people will be happy to communicate and tell stories and memories
from their villages, which will not be told on television and will not be
written in newspapers ...
And beyond that, I wish all Merry Christmas!
This is my favorite holiday.

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