I didn’t expect to become a teacher at the age of 15. Yet, there I was, standing in front of a group of Ukrainian refugee students, afraid and stressed – what if I wasn’t good enough? What if they didn’t take me seriously? After all, I was just a teenager myself.

But after working with them for half a year with weekly one-hour sessions, I realise now that this experience is one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has seen a significant influx of Ukrainian refugees. Many of them being teenagers, who have been forced to leave their homes, schools and communities behind. They arrive in Poland facing uncertainty and challenges, including the language barrier, which limits their access to education and social integration.

I got the opportunity to teach conversational English through a club at my school called School Without Borders, which provides a space where refugee students could learn in a safe and supportive space.

At first glance, teaching English to Ukrainian refugee teenagers in Poland might not seem like the most pressing issue. After all, learning Polish would be their first priority, and they need housing and security above all. However, English is an international language that can help them integrate into a new country, access more resources and feel less isolated in an unfamiliar place. By learning English, they are not just improving their communication skills – they are gaining confidence.

What makes this club special is that the classes are run by teenagers – students from my school volunteer as teachers – which creates a welcoming and relatable environment. Since we are close in age, the students feel more comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions and making mistakes without fear of judgment.

In a formal classroom, learning can feel rigid and impersonal. Here, in our small group of five students and two teachers, the atmosphere is very different. We have a lot in common and therefore can bond really well with each other. It makes me very happy to see their progress; from hesitant to increasingly confident with every session.

This experience has shown me the resilience of these teenagers, how they can find ways to laugh and adapt to challenging circumstances. It’s also a reminder that education is not just about formal knowledge but also about connection, understanding and creating a safe space where everyone can feel valued.

If there is one lesson that I’ve learned, it’s that small efforts can spark the biggest changes. A little encouragement, a bit of belief and their confidence grows. And who knows which doors this could open?