Volunteering: In an English class for refugees, food is the common language

Kathryn Kurtz, a volunteer English language instructor, leads an advanced English class  for refugees at the IRC office in New York.

Photo: Vanessa Pirandello/IRC

In honor of National Volunteer Week: Vesna Jaksic and Vanessa Pirandello of the International Rescue Committee's New York US Programs office share this profile of an IRC volunteer who dedicates two days a week to teaching refugees English.

As a former food writer and restaurant reviewer, Kathryn Kurtz had the opportunity to dine in countless five-star restaurants around the world and live in places such as Hong Kong, Spain and Japan.

"Writing about food is great, but there are a lot of other more serious things going on in the world and I needed a balance. Working with refugees provided that balance."

For the last five years, Kathryn has been volunteering as an English language instructor at the International Rescue Committee in New York. Two days out of every week, Kathryn dedicates her time to teaching refugee and asylee adults the English language skills that will allow them to handle day-to-day situations and ultimately adjust to their new lives in the United States.

On any given Monday, Kathryn will have a range of refugee and asylee students from places such as Bhutan, Myanmar (also known as Burma), Tibet, Congo, Guinea, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq — a true testament of the diversity of New York City. When asked about the class, Enas, a refugee from Iraq exclaims: "This class is beautiful because we speak about everything! Sometimes we speak about American history, sometimes we take newspaper and read this part and that part." Enas has been attending Kathryn's advanced English language class since she arrived in New York City, almost a year ago.

"The students are fabulous, I so admire them," Kathryn says. "They are strong and brave and I never want them to lose their home identity. I try to teach them not to forget their own customs, but I also teach them what ours are."

Food often serves as a conversation-starter in Kathryn's classes. Homemade pumpkin pie is served on Thanksgiving; dumplings in all varieties are sampled on Chinese New Year; even potato chips have held their own as a true New York State invention. "Food is universal," Kathryn explains, "and students love learning about food from other countries." Kathryn has also led role-playing exercises during which students are handed out restaurant menus and taught how to order food and pay for their bill.

Lisa Brochet, the IRC in New York's English language and literacy coordinator marvels at Kathryn's commitment and dedication to her students, "Five years is an incredibly long time! And it's not just that she is in the classroom, Kathryn is almost like a surrogate mother to many of our younger clients." As it turns out, Kathryn and her husband have indeed taken on the role of mentors to a young Burmese refugee and his sister who were resettled to New York City in 2008. They arrived without their parents and the connection they established with Kathryn was almost immediate.

"I learned so much about resilience, optimism and perseverance from them," she says.  "I want them to be everything they are capable of. I want life to provide them with everything kids should have — kids deserve safety and a good education."

The IRC in New York is immensely grateful to individuals such as Kathryn who volunteer their time to assist and welcome refugees as they rebuild their lives within a new community.