Experience with NICE:
On the first day of Dr. Overall’s class, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you the difference between a refugee and an immigrant. I didn’t have an opinion on the refugee crisis or their entrance into America, and I didn’t necessarily care to have one. I never would have guessed that not only would I form an opinion on refugees, but that it would be strong enough to inspire me to even argue with a girl on Facebook over why we should allow refugees into the United States. It was not that I had previously obtained any preconceived notions or prejudice, or that I was not compassionate; It was really just that I was uninformed and had a difficult time connecting with people that came from cultures and circumstances so drastically different from my own. However, my entire view was quickly altered when I watched the powerful video, Most Shocking Second a Day. This 90-second video features a young British girl, whose entire world gets turned upside-down when a civil war consumes her country. The tragic video opened my eyes to the refugee crisis and gave me a deeper understanding that I am very grateful for. Through service learning, I feel that I have gained much more empathy for refugees and the many hardships that they endure. Working with NICE has inspired a new passion within me, and I look forward to continuing working with refugees long after this class has come to a close. In terms of public contributions, I believe that my experiences with service learning have allowed me to form factual, intelligent opinions on what is currently a very heated issue in our society. Unfortunately, I have found that many Americans are ill-informed on the refugee crisis and often incorrect in their assumptions, allowing unjustified fear to guide their judgement, rather than fact. I look forward to sharing my opinion and hopefully having the chance to educate others on refugees and the social, economic, and moral benefits that accompany them, instead of the “security risk” blanket that many love to throw over the issue. Honestly, the most difficult part of service learning has probably been the disheartenment with which I have felt when hearing about such opposition toward refugees. It is particularly vexing seeing media figures, politicians, and even friends and followers on social media accounts criticize and discredit refugees, claiming that they should not be allowed into our country. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, as generally seen in controversial debates such as this one, it is incredibly frustrating to just sit by and watch people make prejudice and fictitious claims, especially after having just taken a semester long course on the subject. Service learning has given me a new perspective and appreciation that happened to fall at the perfect time. I can only hope that Americans will open their arms and hearts to the many refugees that so desperately need our help- I know that I will.
