As a graduate student at York University, I have gained a conceptual and theoretical interests in education particularly in the areas of language, culture, teaching and the interrelationships surrounded by these areas. I have engaged with my professors and put on a lot of questions on how education is being politicized and implemented across the world, particularly for people living in the protracted situations in the global south. Through intensive learning, I have encountered a wide range of issues such as race, gender, class, arts and how culture educates young people. Through engaging this program, I ask myself what kind of educational pedagogy can we engage to enjoy in a collective community context. I have learnt that every child in the world has a right to access education because it is only education that empowers and provide hope to people.
The program has benefited me in so many ways because initially after I finished my secondary education in 2007, I had lived without accessing education for seven (7) yeas. This has left me with a desperate situation until BHER program came to me and gave me the opportunity to access higher education. I was so lucky to be a student at York University because it provided me with a powerful environment to build my interest. Building this interest has helped me create powerful relationships with people of diverse backgrounds. The program has supported me greatly in acquiring vas knowledge, skills, experiences as a researcher. Today, I am so thrilled for the reason that I am a knowledge producer and emerging scholar which is something to be proud of.
The program is greatly helping desperate youth in Dadaab refugee camps. Its impacts have been felt significantly by the refugee communities themselves here in Dadaab because both the students have finished their studies and current students are serving the communities in various capacities which is something leading to sustainable development. However, the majority of the students do not have devices like computers or tablets. The concern is that even though the students have a well-equipped centre for their studies, if these devices are available in the project, then it would have been a great academic support. I would also like to suggest if possible the program to bring optional courses rather than just one course for the future so that students can go for their choices.
Arte Dagane (M.Ed. Year 2 student)
