Blog 3

 For me personally, one of my greatest challenges throughout my experience with the community partners has been finding ways to efficiently communicate with the students regardless of a language barrier. On that same note, I think it ties into how it makes learning in general very difficult at times for these students because not only do they have to take in all the information, but they are also working to understand it all in general. Over the course of this semester, I have really enjoyed the time that I have gotten to spend with the students. I would have to say that one of my greatest achievements was creating bonds with kids that I just never expected I would have. For example, after a few visits, 3 of the same students always wanted to come to my group because we always had fun working together. I have also loved the process of watching them learn from us through doing things such as science experiments with toilet paper and pennies to show gravity or using pictures and visual aids to more thoroughly understand the project or topic. One of the most important things I have learned or taken from this experience has been to always approach and communicate with others with an open mind with the understanding that everyone perceives and experiences life differently and we all have our own battles that must be overcome and the students I worked with helped me realize the positivity that can be drawn from such struggles.

The quote that was given to reflect on by António Guterres resonates very heavily with the experiences we have had with the community partners. The similarities between what the quote says about refugee experiences and those of the students within a learning environment such as Oshkosh North High School which is where I was at. The mention of "uncommon courage" can be directly applied to both refugees and students facing language barriers and the complex style of learning that they must go through. The students really show significant signs of courage to focus and try to learn something completely new to them. Refugees, as described by Guterres, not only survive but also persevere and rebuild their lives after battling through various obstacles and challenges along the way. Along with that, the bonds that I have formed with the students and the positive experiences I have shared with them demonstrate the reality that these students can find when they get out of negative living environments and conditions. The quotation also points out the universal reality of human struggles and the need for an open mind when approaching others. In both contexts, whether it's refugees rebuilding their lives or students navigating a learning environment, there's a common thread of facing challenges and overcoming them. The insight gained from my experiences with the students aligns with Guterres' emphasis on understanding and appreciating the unique battles individuals face. In conclusion, Guterres' quote perfectly captures the idea of resilience and courage that is shown not only by refugees but also by the students I have worked with, drawing connections between their challenges and the universal theme of rebuilding and persevering through difficult circumstances.