After reading many articles regarding cross cultural education in the context of the Greek refugee crisis for my annotated bibliography, it was very interesting to learn more about this topic through the provided videos and articles. Even after reading so many articles, watching the video of the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) team working on the shore where boats of refugees arrive really made the reality of the refugee crisis hit me. I love what the ERCI worker said when he expressed the importance of ERCI workers manning the shore even during slow times because the number of refugees that come is not the focus but rather the fact that they are coming and are need of someone to help and guide them. 

The concept of liminal, defined as a transitional or initial stage of a process and/or occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold, spaces was interseting and quite appropriate. The village full of tents, etc. as seen in the second video depicted a physical liminal space in which refugees were between their home country and their destination country. Figuratively, they are also in liminal space as they are straddling two cultures. This presents challenges. Many intend for their asylum to be temporary. Many if not all are not looking to lose their identify but are just seeking a better life, yet they are presented with the Greek culture and language and have to straddle gaining Greek skills for best survivial in a new home as well as maintaining their identity including mother tongue, culture, etc. In terms of citizenship, refugees must not be forced to give up their home citizenship/identity but may now also have their citizenship redefined as global citizenship as they are in a new space seeking a new home in many cases. I see the concept of global citizenship connecting to the concept and reality of human rights no matter where you are in the world. 

In regards to education, many of the concepts I read about in my research were discussed such as Greek langauge classes at refugee camps, reception classes at local schools, and non-govement agencies such as NGO's stepping up to help. The importance of education as a human right and the statisitc shared in the first line of the Lighthouse Relief article is extremely disheartening. The statistic reads that "only 50% of the world’s child refugee population is being educated, globally, for non-refugees, the number increases to 90%." Therefore, the efforts by many are admirable but also complicated as the action of outside agencies points to the pitfalls of the education system in serving refugee students. All articles I have read point to the fact that at this time, education of refugee children is not a one group job.This task is not easy and many things are being done such as the offering of ZEP and DYEP classes, but there is still much to do such as increased access in areas with large refugee/asylum seeker populations. 

Lastly, I do think there are some similarities between the refugee crisis in Greece and the refugee situation in the USA. Foremost, there are very contrasting views among the American people regarding the refugee/immigrant situation. There is a fear among some in the US as well as in Greece that immigrants will threaten the safety and prosperity of those already living in the country. Additionally, many of the immigrants arriving in the US and Greece are fleeing war zones and/or poor living conditions in their home countries. The US and Greece both serve as developed countries in the figurative North, whereas their refugees are typically from the figurative global South.