Refugee Experience Simulation
Description:
This semester we explored the process of assimilation and acculturation. We focused on the experience of children and teens, how the immigrant experience is similar or different to the refugee experience. Our goal was to raise awareness and to create an exhibition that answered the essential questions below.
These are our essential questions:
1. Why do people immigrate to other countries?
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
5. Is there an american dream? Is it for everyone?
These are our essential questions:
1. Why do people immigrate to other countries?
2. What are the challenges they might face when entering a new country?
3. What is the difference between acculturation and assimilation?
4. What things are essential or necessary to achieve success in the US?
5. Is there an american dream? Is it for everyone?
Project Reflection:
1. Why learn about the refugee experience? What’s the big deal? What have you learned?
Learning about the refugee experience has taught me the hardships and difficulties that refugees face throughout the process of moving to a country. I was not aware of what a refugee was before this project and now I know who refugees are and ]many of the reasons why they leave their countries. It is a big deal because people view the refugees differently just because they aren't from here and also because they think that they are whatever their country is, so if their country has terrorist they automatically they are terrorist as well. It’s also a big deal because some countries are trying to keep refugees out of their country instead of trying to help them.
2. What learning or experiences would you like to share? Do you think it is important for others to be informed? Why or why not?Something that I would like to share with other people is that refugees have it very hard and the least we can do is accept them with open arms and not discriminate them just because they aren't from here. Something that stuck with me is that during one of our socratic seminars, we were asking people what they would do if a refugee was their neighbor and someone said they would move because they would be scared, so they automatically assumed that refugees will do bad and cause harm. But something people need to know is that refugees go through a long screening process in order to live in the US.
3. How has what you learned impacted your life? What will you do with this knowledge once the project ends? What is your call to action? What would you like your audience to do with what they learned at your exhibition?
Learning the stories about local refugee high schoolers who are students just like us has taught me many things and has actually helped me become a better person because it's taught me to appreciate things more than I already do. Interviewing the refugees has made me realized that I took many things for granted and I have learned to fix that about myself. Although they go through a lot of tough times they always manage to look at the brighter side of things and I want to be like that because I tend to stay sad about things but I need to learn to be more positive and have hope just like the peacemakers. They have inspired me and helped me to change for the better. I want my audience to accept refugees because they are people just like us!
4. How can you convey your thoughts, experiences and knowledge to your audience or visitors the night of exhibition?
We can convey our thoughts and share our knowledge By simply having a conversation with them, because we already have the simulation and the documentary used as a visual.
5. How did exhibition go presenting your simulation to an outside audience? What are you proud of from exhibition?
Our exhibition went pretty well. My group was answering the second essential question. My booth's topic was about jobs. What we did was give our guest a job application in a foreign language and once they realized they weren't able to fill it out we asked them how they felt. Many of them said they felt confused and upset that they weren't able to get the job. We explained to them that that is exactly how the refugee's feel and something so simple as just not knowing the language is the cause of them not getting the job and not being able to live their american dream.
Learning about the refugee experience has taught me the hardships and difficulties that refugees face throughout the process of moving to a country. I was not aware of what a refugee was before this project and now I know who refugees are and ]many of the reasons why they leave their countries. It is a big deal because people view the refugees differently just because they aren't from here and also because they think that they are whatever their country is, so if their country has terrorist they automatically they are terrorist as well. It’s also a big deal because some countries are trying to keep refugees out of their country instead of trying to help them.
2. What learning or experiences would you like to share? Do you think it is important for others to be informed? Why or why not?Something that I would like to share with other people is that refugees have it very hard and the least we can do is accept them with open arms and not discriminate them just because they aren't from here. Something that stuck with me is that during one of our socratic seminars, we were asking people what they would do if a refugee was their neighbor and someone said they would move because they would be scared, so they automatically assumed that refugees will do bad and cause harm. But something people need to know is that refugees go through a long screening process in order to live in the US.
3. How has what you learned impacted your life? What will you do with this knowledge once the project ends? What is your call to action? What would you like your audience to do with what they learned at your exhibition?
Learning the stories about local refugee high schoolers who are students just like us has taught me many things and has actually helped me become a better person because it's taught me to appreciate things more than I already do. Interviewing the refugees has made me realized that I took many things for granted and I have learned to fix that about myself. Although they go through a lot of tough times they always manage to look at the brighter side of things and I want to be like that because I tend to stay sad about things but I need to learn to be more positive and have hope just like the peacemakers. They have inspired me and helped me to change for the better. I want my audience to accept refugees because they are people just like us!
4. How can you convey your thoughts, experiences and knowledge to your audience or visitors the night of exhibition?
We can convey our thoughts and share our knowledge By simply having a conversation with them, because we already have the simulation and the documentary used as a visual.
5. How did exhibition go presenting your simulation to an outside audience? What are you proud of from exhibition?
Our exhibition went pretty well. My group was answering the second essential question. My booth's topic was about jobs. What we did was give our guest a job application in a foreign language and once they realized they weren't able to fill it out we asked them how they felt. Many of them said they felt confused and upset that they weren't able to get the job. We explained to them that that is exactly how the refugee's feel and something so simple as just not knowing the language is the cause of them not getting the job and not being able to live their american dream.