Over four weeks this summer, the IRC in Silver Spring brought together 75 refugee students from eight countries to prepare for the upcoming school year and create connections with other students adjusting to life in a new country. 

This year, the theme of the Refugee Youth Summer Academy was growth. Students planted seeds and nurtured them over the summer. Lessons aimed for the students, many of whom had not yet attended school in the U.S., to get comfortable being in a classroom. Self-care exercises, where students shared how they like to play outside, sleep, and eat well, taught students how to introduce themselves and to treat their teachers and classmates with respect.  

Through a volcano eruption experiment, students learned about the scientific method of posing a question, conducting a test, and analyzing the results. On career day, students met with members of the community from a variety of professions including a chef, lawyer, interpreter, salesperson and police officer. Members of the Prince George’s County Police Department gave students a ride-along, allowed them to use the police sirens, and see police protective equipment.

Bethzalie "Beth" Yohannes, the owner of Lemon Slice Cafe in downtown Silver Spring, shared her immigrant story with students through a cooking demonstration of a mixed-bean salad she learned growing up in Ethiopia. "It's through cooking that we can honor our heritage and where we come from, no matter how far away,” Beth told the students, encouraged them to express their cultures in their everyday lives.

To support the integration of refugee youth in Maryland, launch a school supply drive through the IRC in Silver Spring.