Country Quote by Alan Gratz
“I don't know that I would have the courage to come over to a new country where the religion is different, the language is different, where I don't have any money. The thought of starting over like that in the way that many refugee families have to start all over again - that's an incredible thing to think about. One of the things I tell about Refugee is that unless you're Native American or a descendant of slaves, your family immigrated to this country - whether they came over on the Mayflower or whether they came over on a raft last year.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Refugee by Alan Gratz, 2017
Immigrants face immense challenges when moving to a new country, especially with different religion, language, and finances, yet they must rebuild their lives from scratch.
In simple terms: Moving to a new country is hard but possible.
Recognize and support refugees’ resilience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- family relocation
- asylum applications
- community integration
- language learning
- job seeking
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better empower refugees?
- What resources most aid successful resettlement?
The quote overlooks the agency of refugees who actively shape their destinies.