If You Have Refugee Students...

Most people say they don't know who refugees are in real life. Well, if you ask, there may be a couple in your midst. If you have refugee students, sharing their stories could eventually be a massive opportunity for them. Later this semester, a Palomar project called "The Global Refugee Crisis" will culminate in a public performance conceived and directed by Prof. Michael Mudson of Palomar's Performing Arts Department. This is where refugee students come in. Michael has requested that our refugee students get involved in the campus-wide discussion or share their real refugee stories with the actors in the play "ANON(YMOUS)" to "humanize the refugee experience."

Another way Michael wants to engage refugee students is to publish their personal narratives or videos on a coffee talk website. He is willing to organize a talk with your refugee students as the speakers about their experience. He even offers to work with them if they want to informally express their culture or refugee experience through song and dance.

Michael is ready to visit any class in San Marcos or Escondido and work with any ESL teacher on any project related to the refugee crisis.

So, let our dept. chair know if you are interested in collaborating with Michael (even for a project designed by you) or if you have refugee students who would like to participate in any of the above-mentioned activities. From a practical perspective, doesn't every ESL student want to practice English with native speakers in a way they love? Besides, this may lead to something bigger. The campus community and beyond will now get to see real refugees.