The final two weeks of my summer volunteering at CARAS were both deeply rewarding and bittersweet. By this stage, I had built strong connections with several students and could clearly see how their confidence and abilities had grown over the weeks. At the same time, I knew the program was about to pause for the summer break, which made me reflect more on what these weeks meant to both the students and myself.

In Week 5, I worked with Ali and Omar during the reading sessions. Ali’s progress was astonishing — in my first session with him weeks ago, he could barely complete a sentence. Now, he was reading picture books almost independently, using rhyme patterns and repetition to guide himself. I was particularly struck by his determination to note down every new word he encountered, demonstrating how much effort he put into his learning outside the classroom. Omar, meanwhile, worked on capitalization exercises, practicing when to use uppercase letters in sentences, names, and days of the week. Rather than simply giving him the answers, I encouraged him to think through each case, which helped him develop greater independence. Both students showed me that persistence, when combined with a supportive environment, can lead to remarkable improvement in just a few weeks.

Week 6 was special, as we held a picnic in the park alongside a short English session on the theme of weather. Students practiced adjectives like sunny, windy, rainy, cold, and foggy, and we asked questions such as “Do you like the weather in London?” Linking these words to their daily experiences encouraged everyone to join in. The relaxed setting made even the quieter students more willing to share, and the playful activities created laughter and joy. It was a wonderful reminder that language learning does not need to stay within the walls of a classroom — it can thrive in real, everyday contexts.

As the term came to a close, I found myself reflecting not just on the students’ progress, but on the community I had been welcomed into at CARAS. The volunteers here are some of the kindest and most dedicated people I have met. We worked together, contributed ideas, and supported one another, and in the process, we became friends. I even met a volunteer who had studied at Peking University for a year, which created an unexpected but delightful connection to my own background.

I also feel deeply grateful to Clair Laslett, the full-time teacher at CARAS. Her patience and empathy for every student left a strong impression on me. She always placed herself in the students’ shoes, ensuring that each learner felt included and valued. At the same time, she approached her work with remarkable professionalism, treating the task of helping refugee students build a sense of belonging in a new country with the seriousness and dedication it deserves. Observing her leadership has been one of the most valuable lessons of my time here.

This volunteering experience has truly been both humbling and inspiring, reshaping how I think about inclusion, perseverance, and leadership. Even though the summer term has ended, I am determined to return to CARAS in the next term to continue contributing to this meaningful work.

For confidentiality, the names of students mentioned have been changed.