A Presentation and Conversation with Fifth Graders about My Journey

A Presentation and Conversation with Fifth Graders about My Journey 

This week, I had a presentation that felt quietly different from my usual talks. I was invited to speak with a group of fifth graders and their teachers about my personal journey as a refugee from Kurdistan-Iran to the United States. The session was beautifully organized and became one of those moments that reminded me how deeply storytelling can touch young hearts and foster understanding. Shifting from sharing my story as an individual to speaking with a collective group allowed me to connect with them as if I were talking about their own lives — many of the students themselves are immigrants and refugees.

The students were exceptionally curious, asking thoughtful questions about where I came from, what life was like before I left, the challenges I faced, and how I overcame them. Their curiosity was contagious; they were attentive, engaged, and eager to understand.

I began by sharing a little about Kurdistan, my homeland — a region of approximately 40 million Kurdish people spread across Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. My part of Kurdistan, located in Iran, is filled with snowy mountains, rivers, valleys, and warmhearted people who love music, poetry, and dancing. I showed them a visual presentation and a map on Google Earth, tracing my journey from the city I was born in to the city I now call home.

I also told them about my fifth-grade years — how reading became my window to the world. I spoke about books that were prohibited, including those in the Kurdish language, and the challenges of learning my mother tongue. Stories like The Little Black Fish by Samad Behrangi inspired me to dream of a bigger world, while biographies like those of Marie Curie taught me perseverance and the transformative power of education. The Little Prince reminded me of friendship, love, and kindness.

As I shared the story of moving with my family from Kurdistan to Tehran, and later leaving Iran due to the lack of safety and fairness for Kurdish people and women, the students listened with quiet respect. I spoke about our journey through Russia, finding asylum in Denmark, and continuing to help others even while living in a refugee resettlement house. Later, when my family and I won the U.S. Green Card Lottery, we began a new chapter in the United States — full of hope, opportunity, and the responsibility to give back.

During the discussion, I emphasized the importance of education, family, and resilience in overcoming hardships. I also shared that there are now over 100 million refugees and displaced people in the world, and that knowing I was not alone gave me the determination to help others.

At the end of the session, I invited the students to ask anything — in their own words, without fear of judgment. Together, we agreed on a simple rule: to listen with open hearts and speak kindly. Their eyes sparkled with empathy and curiosity.

The next day, when I returned to the school, some students waved and came up to say hello — a small but powerful reminder that compassion can begin at any age.

I left the classroom feeling deeply moved. These young minds are the future, and if we nurture their curiosity, empathy, and courage to listen, our world will be in good hands