From High School Student to English Volunteer for Ukraine
- Vangogh Tran
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Vangogh Tran, ENGin Conversation Partner and Ambassador
It’s Saturday morning. I turn off my alarm and momentarily turn back around, allowing myself the luxury of another half hour. But then I remember why my alarm went off. It’s Saturday morning.
I’ve grown accustomed to the routine. At half past eight on Saturdays, I head downstairs (quietly, as my family is asleep) with my laptop, set up my headphones, and prepare to log on for an hour-long meeting, reminiscent of distance learning all those years ago.
But I’m not in school on Saturdays. And it’s not just a regular meeting with just anyone.
Teaching English
It’s a meeting with my buddy and friend from ENGin, a Ukrainian-American non-profit that connects English-speaking volunteers with Ukrainians of all ages for weekly videochat conversations for English practice. The goal is to improve English fluency in Ukraine. The lifelong friendships and cultural connections are an added perk.
During my meetings, my buddy and I might just talk about anything. How have our weeks been? What is high school in America like? What is the summertime like in Ukraine? Which American movies are a must-watch? How will Ukraine do in the Eurovision Song Contest this year?
The topic really doesn’t matter. In the end, we’re both there to make each other smile. Smiling and laughing makes the world go away, even just for an hour.
Different Realities
In the daytime, I’m just like every other American sixteen-year-old. I go to high school, doing homework, participating in extracurriculars, and avoiding all the hallway drama. I try my best to stay awake for U.S. history in the morning and I try not to pass out for calculus in the afternoon. I go home, listen to Taylor Swift, scroll on Instagram, and constantly ponder about what I will do with the rest of my life.
Halfway across the world, in a country I used to know little about, my buddy is living through an experience no teenager should have to face. His country has been under constant attack for years. His studies and livelihood are interrupted by shelter alarms.
We are the same age. We have many of the same childhood memories and interests. We both have dreams, aspirations, and lives that we want to build. Yet we have lived two different realities entirely.
We are sixteen. We cannot stop a war all by ourselves. But I can teach them some English. He can be an engaged student. I can make someone laugh and smile and take him along on an adventure. He can tell a funny childhood story. I can take his mind off whatever is happening in his life. He can tell me about the upcoming Ukrainian holiday. I can be his friend. He can be my friend.
The Power of ENGin
The statistics speak for themselves. 79% of ENGin matches become friends. 99% of students say that they have raised their English level. For adult learners, 42% have gotten positive job benefits from stronger English skills. But don’t just take it from me.
My first buddy, who I taught for an entire year (!), excitedly messaged me that “For me, life has actually changed after ENGin! Now I have a better level of English! My volunteer Vangogh helped me with this. I thank him very much!”
My second buddy, who just started with me, commented that “I used to be really shy by meeting and speaking to foreign people. But this summer I decided to change it…and I joined ENGin! On the first session I was a bit nervous when I met Vangogh (my buddy) online. However, we understood each other and we both had a lot to say!”
Every new word, every new sentence, and every session matters. It all goes towards helping real, motivated individuals improve their English. It changes their lives and the opportunities they have both now and in the future.
How You Can Help
It isn’t just me and my buddies. 29,000 other volunteers have served over 32,000 Ukrainian learners. The volunteers range from ages 13-100. They come from all sorts of jobs, families, and backgrounds. What brings them together is a willingness to help out. You can join too.
ENGin is in need of new English-speaking volunteers, especially adult volunteers, to meet the needs of Ukrainian buddies. Completing a swift registration process, interview, and training will allow you to be matched with a buddy with similar interests and schedules. With just one hour a week, a buddy can greatly improve their English speaking and cultural awareness. Most of all, a lifelong friendship is formed, even from two opposite sides of the world. From a desire to help comes an unforgettable experience, shared with a special person.
Click on this link to learn more. Your help and time is greatly appreciated by ENGin, Ukraine, and the world.
