AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

Year 8s Chat to an Author About His Inspiring Story of Survival 

In 2024, the Year 7s had the privilege of studying On Two Feet and Wings by Abbas Kazerooni, a powerful memoir of resilience, courage and perseverance. What began as a simple class activity – writing letters to the author – led to an unforgettable surprise: a live Zoom call with Abbas himself. 

During this unexpected and generous opportunity, Abbas shared invaluable life lessons with the students, including: 

• "You never know how a small act can change a life or circumstance for someone." 
• "Back yourself, believe in yourself and take every opportunity offered with both hands." 
• "If you want something badly enough, work hard for it and luck will present itself, opportunity will present itself." 

Now a successful author and lawyer living in California, Abbas Kazerooni left a lasting impression on the students and their teacher, Mrs Peut. His generosity extended beyond this single conversation – he expressed his desire to remain connected to the College in the future, further enriching the learning experiences of its students. 

The following reflection captures the impact of this special event through the eyes of Max Belbin, a student who took part. 

Imagine fleeing your home country as a child, alone and uncertain of what the future holds. This was the reality for Abbas Kazerooni, whose incredible journey of survival and resilience captivated our Year 7 English class last year. After reading his first book, On Two Feet and Wings we were so moved by his story that we decided to write letters to him, sharing our thoughts and questions. To our surprise and excitement, Abbas responded – and just the other day, we had the unforgettable opportunity to speak with him over Zoom. 

Abbas Kazerooni’s story is one of courage, determination and the power of hope. At the age of nine, he was forced to leave his home in Iran and navigate the challenges of living alone in Istanbul, facing hardships beyond what most children could imagine. His book gave us a glimpse into his struggles, but speaking with him directly gave us the opportunity to learn a lot more about his life. 

During our Zoom call, Abbas was warm, engaging and eager to answer our questions. He shared deeper insights into his experiences, from the emotions he felt while writing his book to the lessons he learned along the way. One of the most powerful moments was when he spoke about people who are less fortunate than others, to never stop dreaming big and never feel that they cannot accomplish something just because they are underprivileged. 

The conversation left a lasting impact on our class. Hearing Abbas speak in his own words reminded us that stories like his are not just pages in a book but real experiences that shape people’s lives. His journey showed us the importance of perseverance and courage with many of us walking away feeling inspired to face our own challenges with greater strength. 

What started as a simple class book reading and analysis turned into a truly memorable experience. Our connection with Abbas Kazerooni reminded us that books have the power to bring people together and that behind every story is a person with incredible wisdom to share. 

Max Belbin – Year 8