Research Symposium

BIO

Maya Cabal is a second-year pre-law student from Oviedo, Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a French double major. Her on-and-off campus involvements include serving as The Finance Director for The Big Event Tallahassee, the Marketing and PR Coordinator for The Heritage Retreat, working at The Bobby E. Leach Center, and participating in the Undergraduate Research Program and the Global Scholars Program at FSU. During her time as a Global Scholar, she conducted an investigative research project that assessed human rights and social service programs through the lens of the late 20th century Argentinian dictatorship, where she piloted a Spanish-to-English translation database to increase the accessibility of the lived experiences of affected individuals to global audiences. Her research concentrates on developing nuanced understandings of local, national, and global communities to identify key areas of need within them and drive beneficial policymaking. She is passionate about elevating underrepresented voices and promoting collaborative engagement across diverse communities. After she graduates, she aspires to earn her Juris Doctorate degree at a top university and become an international business attorney. Two of her lifelong goals are to start a nonprofit and open her own restaurant. In her free time, she likes to run and surf, read and draw, and cook.
Email: maya.cbal@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-cabal-959021328/

Relocation and Resilience: Educational Challenges and Experiences of Refugee Students in Florida Schools​

Abstract

Since 2024, over 500 refugees have arrived in Old Town. Strengthening Experiences for Refugee Young People, Families, and Their Teachers in Old Town seeks to understand the lived and educational experiences of refugee people and their teachers and peers in Old Town. Financial burdens, lack of community support, hindrances in language, culture, academic progress, and feelings of isolation are a small portion of the vast amount of issues that refugees face on a daily basis, especially in the United States where no further refugee families will be welcomed.
The study conducts over 80 structured, on-site interviews with refugee children and adults from Afghanistan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to gain insight on the different perspectives among refugees adjusting to a new life in the U.S. Through certified thematic coding, the study analyzes interview data to generate broad themes emerging about the refugees regarding their attitudes and interconnected experiences at school, home, and work. Highlighted issues include bullying, social exclusion, language barriers, and struggles with identity.
The study’s long-term implications will share vital data about the population, origins, and school experiences of Old Town refugees through an intervention model that will hopefully drive future educational policymaking, inform local stakeholders, and address the social and relational needs of refugee young people and their peers. Through meeting refugee children and young adults in their homes and understanding their experiences, this study hopes to pinpoint places of improvement to strengthen both current and future refugee experiences.

Keywords: Refugees, Education Systems,