Education > ARSEO
Advancing Refugee Students Educational Opportunities (ARSEO)
ARSEO strives to prepare Rochester-area refugee high school students to make informed decisions regarding their post-secondary education that matches their personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and current career aspirations.
ARSEO seeks to empower participants with exposure to a broad range of career options and expected educational pathways. We facilitate each participant’s self-exploration of their own personal values, desires, and dreams, tracing these to possible future careers. ARSEO details the full range of post-secondary educational opportunities–including trade schools, colleges, and research universities. Participants also receive a thorough overview of the requirements, expectations, and deadlines in the process of applying for different institutions across post-secondary education.
Alongside essay building, standardized testing preparations, and resume building, students have the opportunity to visit local colleges. Mentorship and exploration is enhanced by a number of guest speakers in the fields of government, healthcare, business, and education, as well as site visits to relevant work locations in these fields. Students ultimately leave the program having made important connections with peer mentors, community leaders and college staff, as well as with a better understanding of their next steps and where they might lead.
Our volunteer Liz Reynolds is ready to teach another day of class!
This summer, ARSEO middle school students have come in for classes on math, reading, and writing, as well as career lessons from various guest speakers. They also get to go on field trips – to the RMSC, the zoo, and to the YMCA for swimming, among others. We have thirteen middle schoolers this summer, ten of which live in our housing.
Here is a “Welcome to College” guide for prospective college students – including those who would be the first in their families to attend a college or university.HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you are interested in participating in our program, if you are able to volunteer or donate goods, or if you just want to say “hello!” please do not hesitate to send us an email with the form at right.
Our program is entirely staffed through mostly college aged peer mentors, and is a great opportunity to work with high school students in an informal classroom setting. Visitors are always welcome at 393 Lexington Ave, Rochester, NY 14613.Call us at 585-319-31348 or use the contact form on this page.