Reflection: EU Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

       During the course of this semester, my group and I researched the European Union’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis unfolding in Europe. First, we looked into what caused the exodus from Syria and how the EU began responding to the international crisis. Later, we geared our research toward the economic impact the refugee crisis has had, and continues to have, on the European Union. Finally, we explored and analyzed the social impacts of the crisis in the EU. Through all of this, we found the situation to be very complex; mainly due to the politics that influence policy surrounding the issue. 

The research for each post was divided by general subjects among each group member. Once each person had a general subject, they would conduct the research relevant to that subject and then finish with a refined analysis of what was once a broad topic. This allowed for the group to have a wealth of knowledge in multiple areas within a specific topic or subject. Working as a group helped reduce the burden of one or two people having to conduct all the research and determining what was relevant. Dividing the task of researching also helped foster unique ideas and views within the group as well. 

Most importantly, the group gained a vast amount of knowledge regarding the Syrian refugee crisis and the many issues surrounding it. We learned the humanitarian aid response by the EU is not as simple a task as some would like it to be. Although many European citizens want the government to help the Syrian refugees in anyway possible, financial and political barriers stand in the way. Clashes between differing social views and ideologies from the EU citizenry have also contributed to the slowing of distribution of further aid from EU officials and government organizations to the refugees. However, some EU countries, such as Germany, have began integrating the refugees into their society and have seen positive results for the most part. I will continue to be aware of the crisis in Europe . I hope that government officials in the EU will begin to tackle the crisis in a more productive manner to ensure the quick and successful integration of refugees into EU society. 

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