Written by Grace Khartoum

My most meaningful L&T experience was hearing from my classmates and engaging in effective discussions. Coming from a different background, it was particularly interesting to realize how our different experiences shaped how we answered questions.

I haven’t interacted much with Ukrainian authors, but I once attended a panel discussion that enlightened me about the challenges that Ukrainians are currently facing, especially in the educational front. It was quite inspiring to know that despite the continued political unrest, schools continue to be flexible and functional.

During the L&T, I was particularly confident sharing my experiences of speaking English as a second language. As a South Sudan who grew up and studied in Kenya, where English and Swahili were the spoken languages, I slowly forgot speaking my mother tongue (Nuer). Sharing this experience in class gave 2 other students who also spoke English as a second language the courage to also share their experiences, which were surprisingly similar to mine, despite being from different parts of the continent.

A huge part of the program was writing, and self-reflection. This was a critical moment to reflect on my thoughts, and articulate my thoughts. As part of the class, we had 5 minutes before class to write about anything that we had in mind. This made me get into the habit of journaling, which I still continue to do today.

As part of the L&T Program, we had to work in small groups, either to complete some discussion prompts, or to complete mini-projects. These groups reinforced the importance of communication, patience, and the open-mindedness that is required to thrive in groups.

It was definitely how diverse the perspectives were in approaching matters. They made me think differently about things, and from their responses, I came to takeaway different lenses of viewing issues.

Participation is a crucial part of the classroom environment. I always strived to actively participate in class discussions, even when I didn’t know much about the topics we were discussing. This may look different for different people, but asking questions and putting our thoughts out without being too self-conscious is important. I also knew that having been from a different educational background, I somehow felt like that would be a limitation in the classroom environment. But my L&T instructor made me realize that my unique perspective made me outstanding, and embracing that was enough. As refugees/international students, some may feel their backgrounds are a limitation, but with a shift of perspective, they are their greatest strength.

The L&T made me realize that creativity and learning can take place in ithe most subtle ways. From writing poems as we walked around the campus, to sitting on the grass to reflect on concepts, learning certainly doesn’t have to be a tedious process. It can be relaxing and enjoyable.

I have been building on the writing and reading skills that I was introduced to during the L&T sessions. My instructor taught me that the best way to do well is to be yourself, whether in class discussions, or in my writing. The moment you embrace your authentic self, you are better equipped to better learn. I carry that with me into my classes and that has helped me find my place in a classroom full of intelligent students from all walks of life.

This program contrasts the traditional school systems as it invites the students to be part of the learning process, unlike traditional education approaches that look at the teachers' authoritative figures who know everything. I remember the L&T classroom set-up where my instructor, around the table, responded to reflections in her notebook, just like the rest of us. She only guided the discussions and allowed the students to address matters amongst themselves. She only stepped in to add to another perspective. This particular setup encouraged me to be speak up, and be more confident in class

The experience is particularly helpful for high school students because it teaches critical thinking, which is a fundamental skill in higher education. Some of the texts we read in the class made us question predominant cultures and ways of thinking. I find this very intriguing because that is a huge part of the college experience.

Written on Nov. 3, 2025