"It was worthwhile, challenging and humbling at the same time,” Michael Artigues, a Webster Geneva Study Abroad student, reflected on his time in the camp, “the whole experience was more immersive than I had anticipated and I come out with a greater appreciation of what it would be like to be a refugee.” Throughout the four day simulation, the student refugees prepared all their own food over a campfire with firewood they collected from the nearby forest. They fetched water for cooking, washing and drinking from a village about a kilometre away, simulating what it would be like to have to search for clean drinking water. They heard talks from professionals in the refugee and migration field and participated in simulation activities aimed to get them thinking about what life would really be like for a refugee.
The simulation is designed to challenge the students both mentally and physically, testing them to their limits. “The hardest part was imagining what it would be like if this was a real situation” said Ron Bert Lomada, a Webster Geneva Senior, “if all the activities we took part in were real life and I had to fear for the security of my family members every time they went to collect water or firewood, it would be hard”. For Anaita Azizi, a sophomore student, the most challenging element was dealing with the boredom and uncertainty and it brought home how hard it must be to have to deal with a situation where the average refugee spends 17 years in camps waiting for a durable solution.
Overall all the student refugees agreed that it was a worthwhile experience. “It was
really humbling” said Oliva Kavishe, a study abroad student whilst Kiera Drymalski
said that although it was “definitely challenging, I’m really glad I went through
it and I think it’s something everyone should do”. Nathan Trout summed up his experience
saying “it’s really changed our views, beliefs and future goals in life. I could see
helping refugees as a career choice”.
This refugee simulation is an annual event and if you have any questions about the
simulation or are interested in helping out refugees around the world, get in contact
with the Webster Humanitarian Association on Facebook.