By: Soondos Mulla-Ossman ~Staff Writer~

For students interested in keeping up with foreign affairs or are interested in Syria, The College of Professional Sciences is hosting two “Conversation with a Refugee” events this semester, the first is on Sept. 28 and the second is Nov. 9, both 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Open to anyone but focused on those studying to be a leader, educator, helping professional health professional, or change agent, or even those who are working on a social justice project or seeking a service learning event, Xavier and the Refugee Resettlement Services of Catholic Charities (RSSCC) are collaborating to offer the conversation with a refugee.

During the event, Refugees who have successfully lived in the U.S. for more than one year and transitioned from RSSCC services for six months will provide a powerful perspective on both their current position and the positions of refugees who have not been so fortunate.

Attendees can learn how their perspectives and knowledge can prepare leaders and professionals for future works and services, as they will continue to work with refugees through careers in the future.

Attendees will hear firsthand the accounts of the refugees’ personal struggles, successes and failures in a conversation like environment. Afterwards speakers and visitors will engage in thoughts on professional and community involvement to assist the refugees.

By the end of 2015, there had been 65.3 million refugees recorded worldwide majority of whom have fled the war-torn country of Syria.

The United States has currently accepted upwards of 100,000 Syrian refugees, with plans to accept 130,000 more in the country’s near future.