Literature came to life for seventh grade English students as they used Oculus VR headsets to explore a Syrian refugee camp while reading “Refugee” by Alan Gratz. The novel highlights the struggles and resilience of three young refugees from different time periods – Nazi Germany, 1990s Cuba, and modern-day Syria.
The virtual reality experience allowed students to walk through a camp in Türkiye, interact with the environment, and gain a deeper, more personal understanding of refugees’ experiences. By stepping into a virtual camp, students were able to connect the novel’s stories to real-life conditions, gaining another perspective on what life is like for those forced to leave their homes. Later, through Punahou’s Wo International Center, students also had the chance to speak with a refugee from the camp through Zoom.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly