This book shares the experiences of refugees settled in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area (DMV) over the last ten years and their journeys back into education. What motivated their paths to access and success in education? What were their dreams and aspirations? What obstacles stood in their way and how did they overcome them? Who helped them along the way? What advice do they have for others experiencing displacement? Finally, what can institutions and policymakers do to integrate them more successfully?

This book was conceived, researched, and written by the students and faculty of The George Washington University Refugee Educational Advancement Laboratory (REAL). Over a year of research, members of the REAL conducted in-depth interviews with students of refugee background and the family members who support them, spoke with practitioners at local, national, and international relief organizations who serve them, and consulted with experts of displacement and reintegration who study them. The findings offer a testament to the persistence of displaced individuals, who are determined to overcome steep odds and achieve their educational dreams. They also offer a clear set of guidelines for institutions, administrators, and policy makers who have it in their power to make a difference.