12/21/2025
When Leslie came to Seattle, she arrived with fear, hope, and a determination to learn English and build a future she couldnāt yet fully imagine. Her story shows courage in the face of uncertainty, and itās also a reminder of how much support matters when a young person is starting over in a new country. A gift to Kandelia helps provide mentorship, English classes, and career exploration opportunities to help students like Leslie succeed in school and prepare for their future.
https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905
Leslie had one week to decide whether to come to the United States. Her aunt and uncle, already living in Seattle, said theyād 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. āHere Iām going to learn English faster,ā Leslie says, āThere, Iād stay the same.ā Still, she was nervous. Sheād heard that the U.S. isnāt always welcoming to English learners. āMore than anything else, if you come here they judge you for not speaking English.ā
Leslie says that when she first arrived in Seattle she was afraid. āIām not going to lie, I was kind of shaking.ā 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. āIām also from a city, but not like this. When I got here I just saw buildings, buildings, buildings.ā
Making friends has made the biggest difference in adjusting to life in Seattle. āWhen I got here,ā Leslie says, āeverything was in English. And I was like, āWhat about me, stuck in the corner?ā But then I started to get to know other people from other countries. We talked and I said to myself, āI can adapt over time. Letās give it a chance.ā They told me that I would get used to it, that I would see.ā
Even though sheās still fairly new to Seattle, Leslie has found her comfort zone at Seattle World Schoolāa place where speaking English doesnāt feel scary. At home she can get shy or embarrassed trying to speak English, but not at school. āHere, I can be myself trying to speak English. If my classmates donāt understand me, theyāll correct me.ā Being at school with others going through the same thing makes it easier.
Kandeliaās programs have also helped. Leslie has taken Beginner English and English Conversation classes, and appreciates that in Kandeliaās classes they get support without judgement. āNo matter what level of English someone has at the beginning, they get encouragement that itās ok and that they can learn,ā she says. In Kandeliaās programs sheās focused on her learning goals. āIf you come here, itās for a reason, and you have to study. Itās not like I come here because I want to waste time.ā
Leslie has thought a lot about the impact she wants to make in her career one day. Sheās most interested in studying law or psychology, both careers where she thinks understanding other peopleās perspectives is important. If she pursues psychology sheās particularly interested in supporting teenagers. āI understand how they think,ā she says, āI want to support them in those moments when they don't have anyone else, so they don't have to keep things to themselves.ā 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, sheās 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 sheās built a solid start in the short time sheās been here.
If Leslie could give advice to someone new coming to Seattle, sheād keep it simple: āMore than anything, donāt be afraid to come to a place you donāt know. Once youāve arrived youāll look back and realize youāve learned more than you ever expected.ā From her own experiences she knows that overcoming the challenges of moving to a new place will make you less afraid about the future.
Leslieās journey is still unfolding, but the support sheās 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!
https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905
