Washington, D.C. – On World Refugee Day, June 20, George Washington University and the U.S. Department of State hosted a panel discussion by refugees to the U.S. They gave first-hand accounts of the diverse opportunities and challenges facing refugees here.
The refugees spoke of the "surprises" they experienced in adjusting to life in America. Some of the expectations of America were quite amusing to the audience at GWU. Assistant Secretary Ellen R. Sauerbrey, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration at the State Department, moderated the discussion.
Extending America's Generosity
John Dau, a refugee from southern Sudan, talked about his biggest surprise, "As we came into the United States, we found people generous. I'm not telling this because I'm in front of you. I'm telling you because it is the truth. American people are so generous. They can give something to people they may never see again."
John Dau came to America in 2001. It took him 14 years to travel from Sudan to Ethiopia, then back to Sudan, then to a refugee camp in Kenya, finally to the U.S. He began formal education at the age of 17. Now he's pursuing a degree at Syracuse University.
He said he wanted to return the help he obtained. His way is to build a clinic in Africa. The clinic is now being built and has two rooms and a doctor. "That's what I'm doing in America to extend the generosity of this country," says Dau.
U.S. Government Efficient?
John Dau said that he had a lot of surprises after coming to America. Before he came, a guy told him, "It's OK to be lazy in America. The U.S. government will tie a Green Card on your neck. Then you can go to any restaurant to eat."
Dau was surprised by salad and animal food aisles in grocery stores, automatic doors, and all the myriad choices available in America.
Bienvenu Rwagasore, a civil engineer from the Congo, found that when he learned that some Americans changed their sex, it was a "bad surprise" to him. He kept shaking his head and said, disapprovingly, "It's a surprise." But there were good surprises too. He found being able to get an ID on the same day a great surprise. In his home country, he had to wait for several weeks or even months to get documents from the government.
The audience at this event apparently was not as impressed with our government efficiency and laughed at hearing this refugee's praise for it.
America, a Big Hope
Before coming to the United States, John Dau stayed in a refugee camp where he and his friends had to bury two to three bodies every day. Diseases were killing people massively. America's help was important to them. In 1988, some United States officials went to his refugee camp. He and his friends learned a song, "Welcome, welcome, UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]. Welcome, welcome, American Congressman." He said he wasn't even literate at the time, but he learned this song with only lyrics and no melody.
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