Kurdish

Sips of Culture: Summer Drinks from Around the World

Arabic, Cultural Insights, French, Kurdish, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian / Suhara Mushtaq

The final days of August and the approaching end of summer give us all the more reason to savor the remaining warm days with a refreshing drink in hand! Why not take your seasonal sips a step further with NaTakallam? Explore our favorite summer drinks from the Middle East to Latin America and around the world! Each beverage tells a story of history, culture, and the unique flavors of its homeland. So even as your summer travels wind down, let’s take a delicious journey across the globe, one drink at a time!

1. Jallab

Jallab (Arabic: جلاب) is a beloved summer drink across the Levant – that’s Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. With a distinct floral aroma, this refreshing beverage is made from dates, grape molasses, and rose water, a perfect combination for hot summer days. It’s often served with crushed ice, pine nuts and raisins, and also used to add flavor to ice-cream and yogurt!

Jallab is enjoyed year-round but it also a staple for rehydration during Ramadan.

Ingredients (1 serving):
2 cups cold water
1 ½ tablespoon date syrup
1 ½ tablespoon grape molasses
1 teaspoon rose water
Pine nuts (optional)
Golden raisins (optional)
Crushed ice (optional)

Recipe:
Mix the date syrup and grape molasses with rose water. Add the cold water and stir well. Pour into glasses over crushed ice. Garnish with pine nuts and raisins for a traditional touch. Serve immediately to enjoy chilled.

Love the flavors of the Levant? Explore Levantine culture through language! Start learning Arabic with NaTakallam’s native-speaking tutors from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and more.

2. Sharab al-Busfeyr

Summer is synonymous with seasonal fruits, including our favorite: oranges. Made with the juice of Seville oranges (also known as bitter oranges or sour oranges), Sharab al-Busfeyr literally means “the drink of Seville oranges” in Arabic, and offers a sweet and slightly tart way to cool off as we bid farewell to summer.

Around the Arab world, bitter oranges are harvested in the late winter / early spring season. To enjoy this fruit longer, locals preserve it in this syrup form to savor throughout the summer months. In this way, Sharab al-Busfeyr is a seasonal delight that connects people to their land and its fruits.

Ingredients (4 servings):
2 pounds Seville oranges
Sugar (in equal weight to the orange juice)

Recipe:
Firstly, juice the oranges, and then add in an equal weight amount of sugar. Stir the sugar and juice together and repeat frequently throughout the day until the sugar is fully dissolved. You can also use a blender for this process. Do not add any water to the mixture. Once the sugar is dissolved, transfer the syrup into a clean bottle. It is best kept in the fridge to increase its shelf-life to one year.

To drink, mix ¼ part syrup to ¾ parts water – serve with ice if desired!

Did you know, the word for “orange” across languages has one of the most fascinating etymologies? Explore how language connects people in the places you least expect, when you learn with NaTakallam’s Language Partners from conflict-affected backgrounds.

3. Jus de Bissap

Jus de Bissap, literally “hibiscus juice,” is actually an infusion made of dried Roselle Hibiscus flowers, which are commonly sold in markets across many African countries, from Senegal and Ghana to Egypt and Sudan (where the drink is more commonly known as “كركديه” karkadeh in Arabic). Following migration patterns, Bissap and other hibiscus drinks are also popular in many Caribbean countries.

This vibrant red drink is tangy and sweet, often enjoyed cold to combat the intense heat. Bissap is more than just a drink; it’s a symbol of hospitality and is often served at celebrations and gatherings.

Ingredients (6 servings):
2 cups dried hibiscus flowers
1 ½ cups sugar (increase or reduce according to taste)
1 teaspoon orange blossom water
Mint leaves (optional)

Recipe:
Boil the hibiscus flowers in water for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and stir in the sugar and orange blossom water until dissolved. Allow it to cool, then refrigerate. Serve over ice, with mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch.

Did you know that French is the second most geographically widespread language in the world (after English) and is spoken on all continents? In fact, Africa is home to more French speakers than any other continent! Connect with the global Francophone community when you learn French with NaTakallam’s instructors.

4. Ayran

Ayran is a traditional yogurt-based drink popular amongst Kurdish, Persian, Turkish and more communities spanning from Central Asia to Eastern Europe. This simple yet refreshing beverage is made by mixing yogurt with water and salt, resulting in a hydrating drink perfect for the hottest of summer days. Containing a healthy dose of protein and electrolytes, Ayran is enjoyed both with meals and as a stand-alone drink to quench your thirst.

Ingredients (1 serving):
1 cup plain, whole milk, strained yogurt
½ cup cold water
A pinch of salt
Mint leaves (optional)
Ice cubes (optional)

Recipe:
Mix the yogurt with water and a pinch of salt. Shake vigorously to make it as frothy as possible. Pour into a glass over ice cubes if desired. Garnish with mint leaves, and serve chilled for a cooling and nutritious drink.

Now that your glass is (hopefully) full (with Ayran), explore the many flavors, dialects and scripts of the Kurdish language with NaTakallam’s native Language Partners!

5. Doogh

Doogh is a Persian yogurt-based drink similar to Ayran, but unlike Ayran, Doogh is fermented, often carbonated, and can also be infused with additional herbs and flavorings (e.g. mint, dried rose petals, ground black pepper). Known for its cooling properties and as a source of probiotics, it is often paired with kebabs and other rich dishes that have a naturally “heaty” profile (from the use of earthy spices in local food).

While the recipe below offers a simple way to prepare Doogh today, the traditional method of preparation takes multiple days! First, milk and yogurt are mixed in a specific ratio until smooth. This mixture is gently heated until uniformly warm, then salt is stirred in, and the mixture is placed in a closed container to ferment for 3-4 days. It is this fermentation process that gives Doogh its natural savory flavor and fizz!

Ingredients (4 servings):
2 cups plain, whole milk yogurt
2 cups sparkling water
½ cup mint leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon dried rose petals (optional)
Ice cubes (optional)

Recipe:
Blend the yogurt, mint leaves, salt and rose petals in a blender. Pour in club soda and mix with a wooden spoon, scraping down sides of the blender, until everything is incorporated. Serve Doogh in iced-filled glasses, garnished with mint if desired.

If you’re inspired by these Persian flavors, discover more about the colorful culture through its language. Start learning Persian with NaTakallam’s tutors and uncover the stories behind drinks like Doogh and more.

6. Papelón con Limón

Papelón con Limón is one of the oldest and most popular beverages in Venezuela! Simply made from unrefined sugar cane (also known as “piloncillo” or “panela” in Spanish), lime juice and water, Papelón con Limón is an easy and tasty way to freshen up on a summer day.

Ingredients (4 servings):
8 ounces papelón (unrefined cane sugar)
½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
4 cups hot water
4 cups cold water
Ice cubes (optional)

Recipe:
Pour hot water over the unrefined cane sugar. After it has dissolved and cooled off, add the lime juice and cold water, and stir well. Serve with ice cubes. ¡Salud!

As far back as the 18th century, Papelón con Limón was a favorite among field workers for its high nutritional value. This now-classic drink won over the love of successive generations, and is a part of the heart and soul of Venezuelan culinary culture, offering a glimpse into the history and indigenous flavors of the region. Learn more about the rhythms of Venezuelan life through learning Spanish with NaTakallam’s native-speaking tutors.

7. Agua de Limón con Chia

Long before chia seeds became a health trend, they were a staple food for the Mayans and Aztecs. Agua de Limón con Chia is lime juice with chia seeds, which swell in water to create a cooling, slightly gelatinous texture. A perfect thirst-quencher on hot summer days!

Ingredients (5 servings):
3 large limes
¼ cup chia seeds
4 cups water
½ cup sugar (increase or decrease according to taste)
Ice cubes (optional)

Recipe:
Pre-soak the chia seeds in 2 cups of water until gelatinous. Squeeze the juice from the limes into a pitcher, and whisk in the soaked chia seeds, remaining water, and sugar to taste. Stir well and serve over ice cubes if desired.

From ancient wisdom to today’s vibrant traditions, immerse yourself in the language and culture of Latin America with NaTakallam’s native tutors.

8. Kompot

Kompot is a traditional drink in Eastern Europe, made by simmering fresh or dried fruits with sugar. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, but in the summer, it’s served chilled, offering a sweet and fruity refreshment. A staple in Slavic households, Kompot is often prepared in large batches and enjoyed throughout the day.

Ingredients (4 servings):
6 cups chopped organic fruits (apples, apricots, peaches, plums, berries, cherries etc.)
4 cups water
4 tablespoons sugar

Recipe:
Combine the fruits and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar. Allow the compote to cool for a minimum of 2 hours (or maximum overnight in the fridge). As it cools, the flavors will infuse and intensify. You can then serve chilled, choosing whether or not to strain the fruits! (Strained fruits can be cooked to purées.)

The Kompot drink is related to the broader European concept of fruit “compote,” which is French for “stewed fruit.” This beverage is designed to use any surplus of summer fruit, as well as fruit that may be bruised or overripe, reflecting the creativity of local communities to ensure no food is wasted! Gain insight to native Slavic practices when you connect with NaTakallam’s bilingual Ukrainian–Russian Language Partners.

From the tangy kick of Jallab to the sweet comfort of Kompot, each sip of these summer drinks offers a delicious glimpse into diverse cultures, rich histories and communal traditions. Why not take your cultural exploration one step further? Sign up for NaTakallam’s language sessions today and connect with the communities that make these drinks so special!

Whether you’re interested in Arabic, Armenian, French, Kurdish, Persian, Russian, Spanish, or Ukrainian, our native-speaking Language Partners are here to guide you on your linguistic journey.

Start learning today and bring the world to your doorstep!

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woman displaying a sign reading "jin, jiyan, azadi" or "woman life freedom" in Kurdish

The Kurdish Roots of “Woman, Life, Freedom”

Cultural Insights, Kurdish, Purposeful Learning / Social Impact / Suhara Mushtaq

Since the start of the ongoing Mahsa Amini Protests, which began in Iran in September 2022 after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Morality Police for not wearing her veil properly in public, we’ve heard the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” travel around the world. In Persian this is “zan, zendegî, âzâdî” (زن, زندگی, آزادی), but the slogan originates in the Kurdish language and the Kurdish struggle for autonomy.

The fight for women’s rights has long been intertwined with the Kurdish independence movement. The Kurdistan Free Women’s Union was established in 1995, and in the same year the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), which had been co-founded in 1978 by a woman, Sakine Cansız, decided to promote the establishment of more independent female political, cultural, and economic organizations. These establishments were part of broader trends in Kurdish society and the liberalization of Kurdish views on women’s roles. Abdullah Öcalan, also a co-founder of the PKK, theorized that the subjugation of women is the root of all other types of oppression and that society cannot exist in freedom unless women are free.

In 1998, on International Women’s Day, the “Ideology of Women’s Liberation” was presented (possibly by Öcalan, though this is disputed) as a list of principles for women to follow in their emancipation battle. It stated that women had to break free not only from old social roles and the attitude that supported them, but also from total autonomy and self-organization. The Kurmanji Kurdish slogan “jîn, jîyan, azadî” started to become popular just a few years later. Its exact origins remain obscure, but it appeared after the arrest of Öcalan and the Kurdish independence leaders’ decisions to prioritize women’s rights as part of their movement.

In 2012, after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, Syrian Kurds established an autonomous government that platformed, among other planks, women’s liberation. The Syrian Women’s Protection Units engaged in combat against ISIS, while women’s civilian organizations continued to address patriarchal attitudes. As more territory was liberated from ISIS control, women from various non-Kurdish communities joined in the movement. They not only participated in the Autonomous Administration’s women’s institutions but also established their own organizations to cater to their specific needs. This bringing together of women across ethnic and religious lines showcased the universalist potential of the Kurdish women’s movement.

It is the history of this Kurdish women’s resistance tradition that has led Iranian Kurdish women to play a leading role in the ongoing Iranian protest movement, which was sparked by the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, herself a Kurdish woman, but fueled by the desire to demonstrate against the Iranian regime. The slogan “jîn, jîyan, azadî” soon became the rallying cry of these protests, a reference to Amini’s Kurdish origins, and Persian speakers quickly picked it up, translating it to “zan, zendegî, âzâdî.” Although other slogans started circulating, “zan, zendegî, âzâdî” became the most popular one, thanks to social media and the efforts of the Iranian youth in spreading it outside Iranian and Kurdish borders. A notable example is the song “Barâye…” (برای”, “for”) by Shervin Hajipour, composed of various tweets explaining why people were protesting, or the anthem “Sorôde Zan” (“سرود زن”, “Women’s Hymn”) written by Mehdi Yarrahi. Both of these songwriters have since been arrested and sentenced to prison.

This slogan has now been translated into many languages, as people worldwide have shown solidarity for the cause and begun protesting against the current Iranian government. According to the scholar Handan Çağlayan, “the slogan is attractive for its spelling and rhythm and significant for its connotations.” Jîn and jîyan are two closely related words, but jîn in this case should not signify a glorification of womanhood; rather it means “claiming and supporting womanhood as a valuable identity independent of manhood.” Jîyan symbolizes the right to life, and azadî, the right to freedom, “symbolizing the mutuality between womanhood and Kurdishness in women’s political participation.”

Catalan government leaders hold a minute of silence for Mahsa Amini and all victims of gender-based violence outside the Barcelona City Hall beneath a sign that reads "woman, life, freedom" in Catalan and Persian. — Catalan government leaders hold a minute of silence for Mahsa Amini and all victims of gender-based violence outside the Barcelona City Hall beneath a sign that reads “woman, life, freedom” in Catalan and Persian.

To learn more about Kurdish culture, check out our article on deq, the art of Kurdish tattooing. Better yet, consider studying Kurdish with NaTakallam! You can learn either Kurmanji or Sorani Kurdish from native speakers, and the first lesson is FREE, so why not try it out?

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Deq: The Art of Kurdish Tattooing

Cultural Insights, Kurdish / Suhara Mushtaq

Tattoos and other forms of body art are a type of cultural expression shared by many communities across the world, but many of these unique cultural traditions are in danger of being lost to time and cultural hegemony. Across the Middle East and North African regions there is a rich tapestry of tattoo traditions, dating back thousands of years: Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs and nomadic tribes living in Eastern Anatolia wear them, as do Arab and Amazigh women living in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. “Deq” is the art of Kurdish tattooing.

One Woman Takes Up the Ancient Art

woman applies Kurdish deq — Elu works on a client.

Elu is a tattoo artist and a Zaza Alevi Kurdish diaspora woman from Dersim, in northern Kurdistan, eastern Turkey. She is one of the very few tattoo artists committed to keeping the art of traditional Kurdish tattooing, known as deq or xal, alive for another generation. Deq is the Kurdish word for “tattoo,” but the word has come to refer specifically to tattoos in the Kurdish style. I had the pleasure of interviewing Elu to learn more about this centuries-old tradition.

Elu entered the tattoo world by doing machine tattoos, but while traveling in Thailand she learned about Sak Yant, a sacred form of hand-poked tattooing done by Buddhists in southeast Asia. Inspired, she started hand-poking tattoos herself. “As I was researching traditional skin markings around the world, I wondered if Kurdish people had any tattoo traditions, as I didn’t grow up seeing them in the diaspora (awaretî, derbiderî or sirgûn). Through an online search I came across deq and immediately found myself mirrored in it,” she says. “Later I found out my great-grandmother, whom I never got to meet but thank my path for, also had deq on her face.”

An Artistic Heritage of Women

There are many factors that make deq different from other forms of tattooing. First of all, the ink for deq is traditionally prepared with a mixture of soot and breast milk from a woman (jin) who has given birth to a girl (keç). It can also be made from a mixture of herbs and animal intestines. The tattoo itself is created by piercing the skin with a needle (derzî) that has been covered with the ink. Secondly, deq is traditionally done on women by women, on various areas of their body, such as the hands, breasts or even the face. Tattoos on men used to be rare, but this has changed: the younger generation is interested in keeping the deq tradition alive regardless of gender.

Kurdish tattooing — All photos in this article are examples of Elu’s work.

Tattooing is often done at a young age. Usually mothers or other women in the community tattoo their children (mindal or zarok), but sometimes kids try to tattoo themselves, mimicking the designs of their elders. As a result, traditional tattoo art endures across successive generations, evolving into a valued cultural heritage (kelepûr).

The symbols and patterns people choose to tattoo on their bodies are deeply inspired by nature and daily life. Common symbols include: the sun (roj), moon (heyv), and stars (stêrin); animals (ajel or lawir) like gazelle (xezal), birds and snakes (marin); plants (rewik); and daily life objects such as scissors (meqes or cawbirr), spindles and dolls (bûkoke). Lines and crosses are also common motifs and they can also be used to combine multiple drawings. And each symbol can have multiple meanings depending on the region, cultural background and individual desire.

People mark their bodies with deq for different reasons: some women believe their deq is a sign of beauty; others believe that deq has healing powers (tattooing dots on the side of the forehead can help against headaches, for instance); while others get tattoos for protection — for example, women may get them to ensure a safe pregnancy. They can also be an expression of nobility, pride, faith or belonging to a specific lineage — or simply of being in an exceptionally good physical state. Overall, deq is deeply rooted in spirituality, but it’s also a symbol of heritage and cultural pride.

From One Generation to the Next

When asked what deq means for Kurdish people, Elu says: “Nowadays, deq has become a cultural tool to build bridges between generations and over geographic distances. Some people mark the same deq as their mother (dê or dayik), grandmother (pîrik) or great-grandparents have, and others do it to create a bond with their culture and identity. While there are many personal reasons why Kurdish people practice deq, there is a collective desire to reclaim this almost-vanished tradition as a form of self-identification.”

Elu mentions that the placement of the tattoo is also important. “The placement can also determine the meaning, which can be determined collectively or by the individual. A dot, for instance, can have a personal meaning for every individual.” She showed me an example of a Yazidi family without a gap between the generations practicing deq. All the children have received the same dot as their mother.

Unfortunately, deq remains an endangered tradition (kevneşopî). Over the years, fewer and fewer people have been practicing deq. It has even become frowned upon, and women may be averse to showing their tattoos or to talking about them. Religion (ol) could be one of the possible reasons: Islam, the dominant religion of the region, often forbids body modifications that are not done for medical reasons, and belief in any kind of spirituality apart from God is forbidden. Another reason could be the desire, or sometimes the necessity, for Kurds to assimilate into a mostly non-Kurdish society.

Elu, however, remains optimistic. When I asked her what could be done to prevent this art form from dying out, she replied: “The continuation is the biggest factor in saving this tradition from disappearing. I am sure we are currently experiencing and witnessing the renaissance of this tradition, especially through the Kurdish diaspora community (civaka derbiderî ya Kurd). Many more tattoo artists are beginning to mark deq again.”

However, she is also quick to add: “The tradition needs active practice as well as preservation in order not to be watered down into remains of what it once was. Therefore, a lot more research, documentation and archival work is needed. I truly hope to contribute to this with my work, as I truly believe in the power of ink, on skin as well as on paper.”

To look at and support Elu’s work, please visit her Instagram page.

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5 Ways to Say “I Love You” in Kurmanji Kurdish

Getting Started with Language Learning, Kurdish / moulham

Blog contributors: Hadiya Ahmed, Maria Thomas, and Baran Hasso.

Valentine’s Day may have just passed but why run out of words to say how much you love someone? This week, we bring you five sweet words and expressions in Kurmanji Kurdish!

1. Dilê min
This expression literally translates to ‘‘my heart’’ and is used to address a loved one – a romantic partner, a friend or a family member – endearingly.

2. Ji te hez dikim
What better way to express your love and affection for a loved one than to say those magical three words – ‘‘I love you’’? In Kurmanji Kurdish, that would be Ji te hez dikim.

3. Kezeba min
Literally translating to ‘‘my liver’’, this phrase is an expression of endearment much like جیگر طلا ‘‘jigar tala’’ in Persian. It conveys their significance to your life!

4. Ronîya çavê min
This expression literally translates to ‘‘light of my eyes’’. It is commonly used to refer to a beloved family member, friend or significant other.

5. Hevalrêya min
Literally translating to ‘‘my way mate’’, this heartwarming phrase encapsulates what love is all about – companionship, a sense of belonging, and warmth! It refers to someone who is your “traveling companion” through life’s journey. Use this expression (and the others listed above!) to tell someone how much you care for them.

Learn how to express words of love, endearment and more in Kurmanji Kurdish with NaTakallam’s native Language Partners, today! At NaTakallam, every language session contributes to the livelihoods of our skilled tutors from refugee/displaced backgrounds.

Join a session today, learn a language and make an impact!

This piece was contributed by Hadiya Ahmed, Maria Thomas, and Baran Hasso:
– Content support: Hadiya Ahmed is a Language Partner with NaTakallam specializing in Kurmanji Kurdish and Arabic. Originally from Qamishli in Syria, she has a degree in English literature and loves spending her spare time reading, playing basketball and practicing Zumba.
– Copywriting: Maria Thomas is a copywriter with NaTakallam. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in art history. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, powerlifting and going on hikes.
– Proofreading support: Baran Hasso is a Language Partner with NaTakallam specializing in Kurmanji Kurdish and Arabic. He graduated from Aleppo University with a degree in Philosophy before going on to study Philosophy for Children in Turkey. Baran enjoys playing music, reading and traveling for recreation.

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10 Untranslatable Love Expressions From Different Languages

Arabic, Armenian, Cultural Insights, French, Kurdish, Persian, Spanish / moulham

Love is a universal language but some days you need a little extra help with expressing your affection to your loved one. Here are our top 10 love expressions in 6 languages.

1. Arabic: Damu-hu/hā khafeef (دمه/ دمها خفيف)
Literally meaning “his/her blood is light”, this expression is used to say that you find someone extremely funny and adorable! Don’t forget that gender matters in Arabic: when referring to a male, use damu-hu khafeef, and for a female, use damu-ha khafeef.

2. Spanish: Eres un bombón
Like the previous expression, this phrase is a way of complimenting a loved one when they look particularly sweet. It literally translates to “you are a bonbon”.

3. French: Mon petit chou (masculine) or Ma choupinette (feminine)
This unique term of endearment can often be confusing. It literally translates to “my little cabbage”! However, you’re not calling your loved one a cabbage here but a “chou” short for ‘chou à la crème’, a sweet French puff pastry!

4. Persian (Farsi): Delam barāt tang shode (دلم برات تنگ شده)
When “I miss you” just isn’t enough, employ this poetic Persian phrase. It literally translates to “my heart has tightened for you”. This expression conveys the physical agony of being separated from a loved one – you miss someone so much that you can’t breathe!

5. Spanish: Me haces mucha falta
Although this Spanish expression is commonly translated as “I miss you”, it has a more heartwarming meaning to it. When broken down, it translates to: you make a big absence in me, or you are lacking from me!

6. French: Retrouvailles
Perhaps more relevant these past two years than ever: the unmatched feeling of joy when finally reunited with a loved one after much time apart – that’s exactly what this untranslatable French word conveys!

7. Kurmanji Kurdish: Kezeb-a min
Go beyond the typical terms of endearment with this Kurmanji expression. Address your loved one – lover, family or friend – with: “kezeb-a min”, literally meaning “my liver”. This expression conveys how vital they are to your life, like the liver to the human body!

8. Arabic: Tuqburnii (تقبرني)

No, we did not mix up our Valentine’s Day and Halloween expression lists! Although this phrase literally means: “you bury me”, it’s used to imply that one would rather die and have you bury them, than live without you! A rather touching expression of love!

9. Persian (Farsi): Doret begardam (دورت بگردم)
Another poetic Persian phrase, this one translates literally to: “let me circle around you”, in effect meaning, “I would do anything for you”. We love the planetary imagery this evokes!

10. Eastern Armenian: Janit mernem (ջանիդ մեռնեմ)
Literally meaning “let me die on/for your body”, this is said to show your profound love and care for someone! A heartwarming expression of love, to be taken metaphorically, of course ;)!

Roses are red, violets are blue, express love in new languages, & meet NaTakallam’s awesome (refugee) language tutors, too! Treat yourself to our unique language lessons or give the Gift of Language to your loved ones, near or far. Available in Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish, Persian and Spanish.

At NaTakallam, every language session contributes to the livelihoods of our skilled tutors from displaced backgrounds. Learn a language, make a friend, change a life.

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