The IRC in New York’s Leaders-in-Training (L.I.T.) program empowers high school aged refugee youth who demonstrate academic excellence, interest in community service and leadership potential to build upon these inherent assets and realize their full potential. Last month, highlights from the L.I.T.’s Career Week were featured. In this issue, L.I.T. students Bassirou Kaba (Cote d'Ivoire), Miolene Occean (Haiti), and Djenabou Tall (Guinea) write about their first American college tour experience.
From April 9th-11th, the IRC’s New York Refugee Youth Leaders-in-Training (L.I.T.) program participants participated in its annual college week. For the first time, the program ventured out of state, to Washington DC, for college visits. The group visited Howard University, George Washington University, and Georgetown University to learn more about higher education options.
The visits covered various topics including admission requirements, academics, and campus life. The students had a positive and informative experience. According to one student, the exposure to different colleges “motivated and inspired” them to consider the wide range of higher education options available to them.
The visits also helped students to clarify their personal goals with regard to college. Many students came to understand the importance of academic achievement, various financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and the specific characteristics they value in a college. One student said he learned that, “you are the one that will create connections [on campus] and will work to make others remember you so that they are open to help you.”
The L.I.T. students expressed their collective gratitude to the IRC. “We want to thank the IRC for using their time and resources to help us understand what we need for college and for caring about our futures. The L.I.T. students are so lucky to have such a great opportunity to visit colleges outside of New York and to be leaders.”
The L.I.T. students have also visited colleges in the New York area and have participated in numerous workshops covering topics related to higher education and career skills. The L.I.T. workshop topics include public speaking, college applications, scholarship and financial aid, resume and cover letter writing, and job interviews.
