Among the University's international community are students who have survived childhood in war-torn countries to get where they are now. Three of these students will speak next Monday as part of the Children of War panel.
These students represent a variety of conflicts and backgrounds, from Piedmont College student Farhad Omar, who grew up in Afghanistan, to third-year College student Manja Lazarevic from Bosnia and second-year College student Rebeen Pasha, who spent his childhood in Kurdistan, Iraq.
This is the second year of the Children of War panel, which was founded last year by fourth-year College student Camila Figueroa and fourth-year Commerce student Federico Avila.
"The objective is to educate the University community about what happens to people in war and the marks that war leaves on people's lives," Figueroa said. "We're trying to transform a horrible experience into a learning experience, into something other people can learn from."
Another goal of the panel is to stress the universality of the war experience.
"We can relate to each other because we grew up in the same circumstance," Avila said. "We want to share that with people who have no idea."
Figueroa said this idea particularly is important in the United States right now.
"We're trying to target the whole University community, but we think it's really important to get the American students out this year," Figueroa said. "With the attacks on the United States, it's important to realize that no matter where you live, war affects us all in the same way."
Avila added that while it is extremely difficult for the survivors to get up and share, it also may be a therapeutic experience.
"You hear other people's stories and you get chills because you remember feeling the exact same way," said Pasha, who spoke on last year's panel and will speak again this year.
The organizers feel that this year's panel especially is important.
"This academic year Sept. 11 affected everyone's lives," Figueroa said. "We talk about it and we see it on television and we grow numb to it - we don't know what's happening to people at that moment. It's very important to end the academic year with this."
The event was a huge success last year, filling the aisles of Wilson Hall.
Avila stressed that this is one of the most powerful panels held at the University.
"Listening to stories like this makes you appreciate your life and live your life in a more meaningful way," Figueroa agreed.
The Children of War panel will be held Monday evening, April 29 at 7 in Wilson 402.
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