NCC student glad she stepped outside comfort zone

North Central College student Kate Schmidt calls the refugee family she has befriended for the past year and a half strong-spirited with a great sense of humor.

"I feel like I've learned as much from them as they have from me," said Schmidt, who became a Friendship Partner with the family through World Relief.

"It's really inspiring. They're thankful for what they have, but are hard-working and have goals."

The Bakhriyvea family -- which includes the father, Faramose; the mother, Gulchekhra; two daughters, Niciba and Nizira; and a young son, Murad -- are Turkish refugees who had been living in Russia. The family also has two older daughters who live elsewhere.

When they came, only one of the daughters spoke a little English, Schmidt said. When the college junior visits once a week in Aurora, she works with them on their language skills, talks to them about their week, explains items they receive in the mail and plays Uno with 4-year-old Murad.

"I'm pretty much a catch-all," said Schmidt, a sociology major who hopes to go into social work.

Faramose works at a packaging plant while Gulchekhra stays home with their young son.

This spring, the family was able to buy a mini-van.

"They were so proud they had saved enough money," Schmidt said.

The mother would like to open a restaurant, she said.

"My refugee mom is an amazing cook, so she tries to feed me every time I go," Schmidt said.

She expects to continue her relationship with the family the rest of her life.

"It's awesome to be around them," she said. "I encourage people to step outside their comfort zone. It's well worth it."