1. Making Education a priority for Refugees Social Issue Project ETHS 2410 Spring 2014

2. My Social Issue In doing this intervention with a Somalian Refugee and becoming friends with him, I was leaned towards this issue as they are less activate in education, for not being informed properly on how education can impact their lives in our community. This interested me through events of teaching refugees the English Language and personal interest as becoming friends with Ali that is from Somalia.

3. Scholarly Research: “The New Americans” Ogoni Refugees Refugees started their way into America for the devastation that they have survived in their own countries. Many were assigned to come to one of the 48 states in America, to start a new life without knowing the language and way of American life. I’ve learned that many are encourage to just learn English, get a job of minimum wage, but not encourage to keep going to school to get an education. Ideas were that it would allow us to know what Refugees go through as new Americans here in the U.S. What were the situations that they struggled the most with as refugees.

4. Scholarly Research: U.N. Refugee Agency Says Thousands Fleeing Nigeria Region In this article there is a great alarm in this region as many are being kidnapped in school, and violence rising to a high which doesn’t allow young girls and boys to go get an education. Many refugees see education as a very far priority, of not being as important as to eat and survive cruelty that they have been through. I’ve learned that many Refugees coming to America still fear going to public places, such as school, of being threaten or kidnapped. Ideas: Were to implement a plan that they are safe here to be able to go outside of their home, as they have freedoms here that protect them, and be able to show that with an education their future generations will have the opportunity to be the doctor in the family.

5. Scholarly Research: “I just want to study” Higher Education for Young Refugees There are many barriers for Refugee students that do all the work in school, but when it comes to fixing their case as a citizen to be able to pay for college as a resident and not an international student. I’ve learned that many young students have desire and motivation to go to school to feel accomplished as many have families that have been left behind in their country, and that way they feel they are doing something for the safety that they are now living. Learned how they feel sad and show depression if they are not getting a higher education, as they remember from where they came from. Ideas: Have workshops that will guide a student step by step to be able to get their path into college and have the government help with these problems of them not registering as residents, or work with Universities so they can have a better solution for refugee students.

6. Intervention In my intervention with young refugees in getting higher education, will be to show them that it is possible for them to go to school and get into a University. To show them the importance of an education, to better their lives and the community that they live in. It will be to have a positive way of seeing that they too can go to school, even when it may seem impossible for them. Have workshops to guide step by step to them and their families in how to accomplish short term goals to get closer to a college degree and receiving one. The intervention will have no cost for them as they will have an open house that they can come to each week.

7. Resistance Many may feel that this is just like any workshop of information and no real way solution to getting into College and having success. They may feel like a waste of time as many may think they know the way of just registering into a class and trying to pass until you have enough good credits to get into college. I believe that many parents will resist, not by wanting to come to this but making time from work to be able to come to get this information. Making it a priority. I can show that this is just not a workshop that you come and get info, but it is a daily thing that will be happening so they can always track their success as they are getting closer to what they want to be when they are able to get into University.

8. Support I know that many refugees will support this to not just get information about a specific guide to getting into college, but also take advantage to get to know new people or other refugees to help themselves. Many parents will see this as a time to come with their students to get the information they are receiving, and not just leave this about a young student of their own, but also have them take the responsibility to help their children get into University and get the degree. Ali, was a great help in showing ways of how a refugee with no family thinks as he grows up here in America. As they are taught to learn English and go to school but not with emphasizes to change their lives for the better, and their future generations. He will be one that will also tell his story to help others that may find themselves as he once did.

9. Impact I would like to see that Refugees feel part of America that they are not lost to get higher education and understand that this is what will give them hope and show accomplishment for their families back home. They are not the only ones fighting for this on a daily basis, all Americans seek for higher education as that is therapy for a better lifestyle that will help them enjoy their freedom and safety that we each live and have in this country. This is important for the African American Community as the most refugees live amongst them and they will be a team to better their lives, and teaching these new Americans how to live like them in a way that they both will be educated and be able to conquer the world for the better lives that they deserve as humans.

10. References http://www.resettlement.eu/page/supporting-refugees- access-higher-education http://www.resettlement.eu/page/supporting-refugees- access-higher-education http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/10/world/africa/nigeria.ht ml http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/10/world/africa/nigeria.ht ml http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/newam ericans/ogoni_intro.html http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/newam ericans/ogoni_intro.html