Books Opening Doors: Poornima's Story

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A Testimonial for the Connections program at New Hampshire Humanities and Dover Adult Learning Center

By Poornima Shankar

It has been a little over six years since I came to the United States. I arrived to join my husband, who had come a few months earlier for his job. I willingly chose to leave my two-year-old daughter with my parents in India and traveled alone. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. As a mother, leaving her behind broke my heart, but I did it out of concern for her safety.

Navigating a new life in a completely different country was overwhelming. It wasn’t just about learning systems and processes; it was also about confronting a deep sense of not belonging. Every time I stepped outside, I felt like a stranger in a strange land. What I needed was not just information—I needed a psychological shift.

I made a conscious decision to live life with awareness instead of in fear or ignorance and books have been my safest refuge. After the pandemic, I finally returned to India and brought my daughter here. That marked a turning point. We began going to the library together, and it became more than just a place to borrow books. It opened a door to understanding our new country—its history, culture, and people. The more we read, the more we understood. And the more we understood, the more questions we had.

One day, on the second floor of the McConnell Center, as we were leaving the children’s library, a kind and sweet lady named Donna from Dover Adult Learning Center (DALC) stopped to ask if we needed anything. Her simple, thoughtful gesture became another turning point. Because of her, I began my journey at DALC as a student. That experience has had a profound impact on my life.

Through DALC, I had my first experience with the Connections program from New Hampshire Humanities. I expanded my horizons by reading books about immigration and engaging in meaningful conversations that gave awareness and built empathy. I made connections with fellow immigrants from many different countries and met wise, caring teachers and kind-hearted people who made me feel seen and supported.

Attending the Connections program, under the guidance of wise and caring teachers, and having the opportunity to read so many books on immigration alongside fellow immigrants, has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life in many ways. It helped me reflect on my own immigration journey. As the name implies, the Connections program not only allowed us to see reflections of our own life in the stories we read but also helped us form a deeper connection with American history and culture, giving us a strong sense of belonging.

Navigating life in a new country with awareness is far better than doing so in ignorance. Connections has helped us understand the meaning of our new lives here and has given us renewed hopes and awareness. By fostering understanding and empathy, we can contribute to building stronger, more inclusive communities. I feel empowered. If I could say one thing about my experience in the Connections program, I would say that I emerged a new person, filled with fresh hopes and dreams, enriched with a historical perspective and inspired by a vision of my new life here.

With renewed hope and a clear sense of purpose, this once unfamiliar country has begun to feel like home now.

 

For more information about Connections book discussion program, please visit www.nhhumanities.org/Connections. 

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