REFUGEE ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL EDUCATION

Many refugee youth who are dedicated to their families and communities regularly interpret for community members in the emergency room or the post office, organize field trips for mosque or church members, oversee youngsters and navigate daily life for their elders. These practices and values meet some of the highest standards promoted by American colleges and universities about democracy, community engagement, civic involvement, personal and social responsibility, intellectual and practical skills, and integrative learning. For refugee youth wishing for a college education, service learning is the way their voluntary efforts are transformed into deliberate, documented skills valued by progressive, competitive colleges and universities.

Our mission at the Refugee Academic and Cultural Education Program (RACE) is to educate, involve and empower refugee youth, their parents, and their communities to overcome barriers and succeed in higher education.

Become a RACE Scholar and we can guide you from your high school years through college and your career. Refugee students face big challenges but you can make it with hard work.

• We educate you, the refugee student, and your parents about why a good college education is important.

• We provide you with clear information about the tough, realistic choices that refugee students and their families must make, and strategies for success.

• We assist you and your parents with the application process, guiding you from beginning to end.

• We connect you to financial and other resources to get you into college and help keep you there until your completion.

• We keep costs low for you and your family. A good education is not cheap but careful planning keeps costs down.

• We empower you to make good choices throughout your college years, overcome study problems, manage your time and personal finances, develop high expectations, explore possibilities, build life experience, act as an example to others in our communities and demonstrate expertise and excellence as you complete your studies.

• We involve you in community work that helps you better understand your community, builds self-confidence, and makes you a stronger and better classroom learner.

Refugee youth can make it to college, succeed and graduate. It’s a big responsibility but if you’re ready to work hard, you can succeed. RACE is here to help you make it through high school and obtain a college degree.

Do you help your family and community? Do you help elders understand their bills and mail? Do you interpret for neighbors? Do you explain laws and customs to community members? These character traits and actions are promoted by American colleges and universities interested in accepting students who practice democracy, community engagement and social responsibility.