My name is Elena Neigum and I am from Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation. I describe myself as a professional artist and I live by the words “hurry up to do good things”.
“It does not matter where you live and how much money you have, we can do good and hard things together”.
I have been living in the United States for three years and as an immigrant, I have experienced the language barrier and a lot of things about bureaucracy. Every time I have tried not to be shy and I also try to ask people to help me and explain things clearly.Yes, It is difficult to learn English when you are an adult and for me, listening to English audiobooks works very well to improve my English.
My husband Pavel Neigum shared with me information about Let’s Talk Philly Conversation Circles. My first expression was “ I am not confident to speak in English, Let’s do that next time”. But after several days I said to myself “Elena just try to attend the classes for several days and you will see”. It was hard to take the first step but on the final day of the conversation circle sessions, I realized that I met people who became a part of my heart. Friends like Flor and her husband Alfonso (Poncho), Maureen (she is my soulmate) Karen, Yushan and other people who are very interesting and have had a great impact on me.
“ Let’s talk Philly has had an impact on me in a way that has helped me to try to not to be shy because I am immigrant”.
With the support of Let’s Talk Philly, I had an opportunity to do two art workshops at The Welcoming Center in December 2021 and August 2022.This was my first professional art workshop experience in the US and Let’s Talk Philly gave me a chance to prove myself. I was excited and at the same time I was worried “How can I do my workshop in English?!” Let’s Talk Philly organizing team supported me and they believed in me more than I believed in myself. They have supported me every time and together we did that workshop.After that experience I said to myself “Yes, Helena, you can do it!!” Thanks to Let’s Talk Philly and The Welcoming Center I was more confident and experienced.
From December 2021 to August 2022 I had about three more workshops in different places. One of them was very and very important for me. On July 21 I had a Charity workshop “Art for Ukraine” at The Central Library in Philadelphia and it meant a lot to me.
In August 2022 I was more confident about having a calligraphy workshop but I again was worried (not exactly as I was worried at the first time) and again, Let’s Talk Philly Organizing team supported me every time all the way, the team has been doing a great job and am thankful to Let’s Talk Philly and The Welcoming Center
I consider Let’s Talk Philly as a very professional team that supports each other, and they support their participants and I recommend Let’s Talk Philly to my friends who need to learn English. I would like to add that Let’s Talk Philly supports people not only in learning English, they give an opportunity to people to prove themselves in art and different types of activities.
“Because of that talented team in Let’s Talk Philly who support their participants, the participants try to do activities to support Let’s Talk Philly”
Yesterday’s participants became part of the team in Let’s Talk Philly. Some people organize activities such as photography, art, yoga, cooking, etc. I appreciate the Let’s Talk Philly team and I wish them the best.
Elena has led two art workshops for Let’s Talk Philly Wellness Days, one painting workshop held on December 4th, 2021, where participants learned how to draw beautiful butterflies with oil paint on Canvas, and a calligraphy workshop as part of our Emotional Wellness Day on August 20, 2022.
