This project has been, by far, the largest group project I have ever worked on and/or been a part of. I knew going into college that I would, at some point, work on a large-scale project such as one like this. However, I did not expect the opportunity to do so as a freshman. This project has been very eye-opening for me. It taught me so much about life, culture, relationships, working efficiently as part of a team, and, yes, time-management. 

My role in this project was like that of many of my other classmates. I transcribed the first five pages of the journal of refugee letters and stories. I helped write the introduction essay on the history of the Khmer Rouge, mainly focusing the rise of the Khmer Rouge before they came into total power over Cambodia. I also helped create and upload a timeline that covers the history of the Khmer Rouge before, during, and after their rule. I mainly focused on the history of the Khmer Rouge throughout the semester. I am very thankful for the groups of women that I have been able to work with throughout this project. We have all helped each other learn, grow, and get work done throughout the entirety of the semester through this project. 

My main takeaway from the project has definitely been how much knowledge I have gained about cultures different from mine, relationships, and just how many blessings this world has given me and others. I was truly intrigued by the number of relationships we have and make throughout our lives. Some of the refugee stories show just how much a single relationship can mean to a person. Whether that be with another person, a place, or even a thing. Reading these stories made me realize just how much I, and others like me, take for granted. I realized that everything around me, whether it be the people, the home, or the objects that I adore, doesn’t last forever. I also came to the conclusion, by working on this project, that the relationships we create throughout our lives can make or break us, but they are all meant to help us learn in some way or another. 

I really want people to see and acknowledge the emotion throughout this project when observing it. I want people to try and compare the emotions of the refugees to their situations and the events in their own lives. It is this way that you will learn and realize the true meaning of these stories. And it is this way that you will understand, to the best of your abilities without experiencing the same situation yourself, the events which these refugees and sisters who came to help them went through. I want people to walk away from this project, like I did, feeling as though they have learned something new and insightful and that they are able to use that knowledge and apply it to their own lives. I believe such knowledge can help create better and more understanding and compassionate relationships throughout the people that have the opportunity to see, acknowledge, and learn from this amazingly insightful and intimate project. 

Erin Stiner
Class of 2023
Political Science Major