In searching for an article that was a positive portrayal of the reception of immigrants and refugees, I remembered that my family hosted a refugee student for a week last summer before he moved into residence. I then searched the Algoma University website and found a very encouraging article about the vast majority of students here that agreed to a five dollar increase in student fees to support the Student Refugee Program that is through the World University Service Canada (WUSC).
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| "Making refugee education a top priority" (WUSC, 2012). |
This wonderful program sponsors a refugee each year to come to Algoma University, covering all living and educational costs for the first year they are here (Woldanski, 2009). I believe it is very hard for some of us, who have never had our homes and lives torn away from us, to understand the kinds of situations these students are coming from. In order for refugees to be selected to come to Algoma University, they have to have high grades. I can not imagine maintaining any sort of academic standard while living in some of the situations that are all too common in refugee camps.
The fact that most students support refugees coming to Algoma brings a sense of hope that this generation will soon be setting out into the world and having strong voices to support programs like WUSC. This program "helps to resettle approximately 50 refugee students from around the world each year as permanent residents of Canada" (Woldanski, 2008). When I went to the WUSC website to do more research, the subtitle on the home page is "education changes the world" (WUSC, 2012). The philosophy of the World University Service Canada includes believing in the potential of each and every person. They trust that with the right opportunities, training, and education, people can make changes to improve their families, communities, and economies as well as to foster equality and strengthen the most vulnerable (WUSC, 2012).
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| "Helping International Students Succeed!" (WUSC, 2012). |
With programs like WUSC that are flourishing in Canada, and this overwhelming support of students to welcome refugees, perhaps Canada can become more socially democratic in regard to immigrants and refugees. We need to protect these vulnerable people and ease their transition into a new and hopefully brighter future, not do things like cut health care and deport them to other countries.
-Selina
References
Woldanski, D. (2009, February 4). Algoma U Students Vote Overwhelmingly to Support Student Refugee Program. Algoma University - Small University. Big Education.. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.algomau.ca/news/2009/02/04/167
World University Service of Canada | Our Philosophy. (n.d.). World University Service of Canada |. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://wusc.ca/en/our-philosophy
I think it wonderfull that your family is able to accept and welcome refugees into your home. This way you are able to learn more about their culture and have an better understanding of their homelife in their country. Lots of people hold prejudices against certain groups of people which prevents them from understanding the world around them. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI found your writing style very refreshing and enjoyed how much positivity was put into your blog. WUSC was something I can remember seeing somewhere and being curious about it but never going further than that. I'm glad I read your blog because it provided with me with knowledge I did not previously have. I also feel ecouraged when I hear something like Algoma University supporting refugees.
ReplyDeleteI envy the experience you had of sharing your home with a refugee. This is something I have never had the opportunity to participate in or even be exposed to. It is most defintely something I will be thinking about doing in my own future. Thanks
Kristin*
I am so glad I came across this blog post because it is so nice to see things that are actually done within our community, especially that being our schools community done to better the lives of others. Many blog posts have mentioned many different programs across Canada but I have not seen one mentioned within our actual community that is being supportive. It is also so refreshing to hear what you have done at home personally and how you can relate it to the program. You made many different personal connections and I cannot further explain my gratitude towards you for yourself making an impact on such issues.
ReplyDeleteAlysha - Physical Disabilities Group
Goos job, Selina! You always have such informative posts. It was nice to see something positive on this blog as much of the issues we have found surrounding immigrants and refugees have resulted in negative outcomes. I definitely think that all post secondary institutions have programs like this, as education is a basic right. Especially for females, whom in many countries are seen as second class citizens undeserving of education. I also think it's great that your family has instilled these positive values in you, in that you believe in the support of new Canadians.
ReplyDeleteShannon