In the last year, Asbury University welcomed a new club organized and led by junior Ashton Montgomery. The Bipartisan Discourse Club provides a fun and safe space for students to partake in difficult conversations about current and often polarizing topics in society and politics.
Since the creation of this club, Montgomery has sought to bring more education surrounding politics and complex social issues to other students through various events and meetings. Most recently, Montgomery has partnered with the Asbury Student Congress, Intercultural Life and The Pitts’ Center to facilitate an Immigration Simulation on Asbury’s campus for students to take part in.
Melissa Coulston from Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM), who designed the simulation itself, has also partnered with Montgomery to make the simulation event a possibility at Asbury. “A group of KRM staff will be coming to campus to run the simulation and has been working closely with us as we have been planning this event,” stated Montgomery.
Students can either sign up to be participants or simply show up as observers.“Participants will have the opportunity to see what it is like to immigrate to a new country for the first time,” said Montgomery. “Observers will have the opportunity to get a big picture of everything going on in the simulation.”
There is an unlimited number of spots open for students to join as observers and see their peers navigate the simulation. “Whether you participate in the simulation or observe,” said Montgomery, “you will walk away with a greater awareness of the complexities of immigration and a more personal connection to the people it affects.”
Students can follow the link below to sign up to be either a participant or an observer. Additionally, students can earn one flex credit through this event. There are only 60 spots available for participants to go through the simulation itself so be sure to sign up as soon as possible.
Participant sign-up: https://forms.gle/TVNvPr3EK59Hing77
For Montgomery, working to organize this event has been an important step in her vision of bringing more education to Asbury surrounding pressing social and political topics as well as something of personal importance to her.
“I have had the enormous privilege of knowing many immigrants and refugees in my lifetime,” said Montgomery. “Additionally, I have had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Mexico Border so this is something I am really passionate about.” Montgomery continued, “It is so incredibly difficult to navigate such a complex issue just from the information that is handed to us through media outlets and social media without actually interacting with the issue itself or engaging with the real-life people that it affects.”
The Immigration Simulation is a great way for students to begin to better understand the process of entering a new country and gain more knowledge and various perspectives on the prominent social and political issue of immigration. The Immigration Simulation will take place in the Walt and Rowena Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) Luce Auditorium on March 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Both participants and observers are asked to arrive 5 to 10 minutes in advance.
“I would encourage students to attend the immigration simulation because it offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to step into the shoes of an immigrant and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, decisions, and obstacles faced in the immigration process,” said Montgomery. “This event is not just about learning facts, it’s about experiencing the realities of immigration in a way that builds empathy, challenges misconceptions, and sparks important conversations.”
The conversation will continue with a Q and A panel held after the simulation. At the Q and A, students will be invited to ask questions they may have concerning their experience in the simulation or anything else related to immigration.
Photo courtesy of Mario Tama.
