Insights From the Ground: Perspectives from a Refugee Center Community

Mahatma Gandhi famously said that serving others without expecting anything in return is the most meaningful approach to find one’s own self. As I volunteered as an ELI (English Language Instruction) teaching assistant and learned more about the distinctive culture of the non-profit interfaith and refugee center community, this remark struck a chord with me. This reflection paper serves two purposes: it sheds light on my first refugee volunteer experience in the US as a new immigrant and PhD student in adult education (with international and non-profit experience), with the aim of enhancing my integration into the host country. Moreover, it offers insights into certain features of the refugee center that necessitate improvement, particularly regarding the physical learning environment. The significance lies in the fact that a secure and private atmosphere facilitates adult learners’ undivided attention to the subject matter and engagement with peers.