New Voices, New Paths: A Lesson in Courage and Language

The town of Syracuse welcomed a newcomer in 2013, drawn by the strength of its refugee families and their vibrant culture. Since then he has helped launch food projects, community markets, and now a summer program called Soup Camp.

He writes to his students who have just finished an advanced English course, thanking them for their hard work. They came from places of fear and hope, and they have spent nights learning words that feel foreign at first.

The teacher admits the language can be hard, especially irregular verbs.
He also apologizes for sometimes being a poor host, but urges his students to remember that safety comes from numbers.
He encourages them to speak with strangers, make friends, and build a support network so they do not feel alone.

He reminds them to stop apologizing for their English, because learning a new language as an adult is tough. He invites them to think about the country’s 250th birthday and how they can use their outsider perspective to shape it.

The writer reflects on his own privilege as an American who takes comfort and convenience for granted: air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, free education. He contrasts this with the students’ reality of having to earn every benefit through hard work and resilience.

He points out that they stand on land once inhabited by six Indigenous nations and later visited by the Underground Railroad. He says that even as they navigate a new culture, their presence is a tribute to those who came before.

Finally he urges them to keep walking forward, to speak their truth, and to help make the country a better place for everyone. He believes that outsiders bring fresh ideas and can push society toward improvement.