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Immigrants’ journeys

By Jack Susman, age 17 | January 27, 2025

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UNTOLD STORIES Jack Susman, a junior at The Kinkaid School, was inspired by his grandfather’s story of immigrating from Peru to become a heart surgeon. Motivated to share untold stories like his grandfather’s, Jack decided to gather a collection of stories from local immigrants and refugees.

At 18, newly married and a first-generation college student in Lima, Peru, my grandfather shared a radical dream with his family: Moving to the U.S. to become a heart surgeon. He was a teenager without money who didn't speak English and had to support his spouse and baby. Despite the insurmountable odds, my grandfather found a way. Flash forward to today: My grandfather, Dr. Bernardo Treistman, is one of Houston’s pioneers in modernizing open heart surgery. He told me this story freshman year, and I wish I had heard it earlier. His heroic yet overlooked journey inspired my passion for immigrant storytelling.

This newfound motivation to give voice to untold immigration stories emerged during my freshman year when I founded the Kinkaid Welcomes Refugees Club. Founding the club allowed me to form connections with peers who shared a similar passion for learning about immigration. What makes the club special is that before each service project, we spend months learning the stories of the immigrant or refugee group we help.

Over the past three years, we’ve tripled in size, and my favorite part remains exploring the triumphs and hardships of immigrants and refugees. The rise in popularity of my club not only ignited my passion for storytelling but also highlighted its power. These stories sparked curiosity, even among members who initially seemed uninterested, which furthered my passion.

The club’s success motivated me to pursue an independent study during Kinkaid’s Interim Term, a selective three-week program designed for experiential learning. My independent study focused on interviewing immigrants and refugees within and beyond our community and writing their stories. I aimed to show that not everyone comes from privilege: Many have overcome immense challenges just to begin again.

My independent study has produced a collection of short stories about immigrants and refugees from Ghana, El Salvador, Ecuador, and beyond, featuring people from all walks of life: teachers, restaurant owners, doctors, and athletes. My ultimate goal is to earn a formal publication – until then, I will continue to collect these incredible stories.

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