Exercise #15
Word Search Puzzle: Health, Refugees, and Migration
Authors: Dr Elena Rousou, Dr Panagiota Ellina, Mrs Paraskevi Charitou
30–40 minutes
Description
A vocabulary-building exercise introducing key terms related to refugee health, migration, and transcultural communities. Students find hidden terms in a word search puzzle and then apply them to a real-world healthcare scenario.
Methodological Guide
Objectives
By the end of this exercise, participants will be able to: recognize and define key terms related to migration, refugee health, and transcultural communities; reflect on the social and cultural barriers that impact the health of migrants and refugees; develop awareness of personal cultural assumptions while considering how language and concepts shape understanding; strengthen intercultural humility by linking terminology to real-world health inequities faced by refugees and migrants.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the activity, students will: define key terms related to health, refugees, and migration; recognize the health barriers faced by migrants and refugees; demonstrate intercultural awareness through reflection and group discussion.
Exercise Procedure
Introduction (5 minutes): Teacher explains the purpose of the activity and links it to the chapter themes. Supporting question: "Why do you think understanding vocabulary matters when working with diverse patients?"
Individual part (5–10 minutes): Students complete the word search individually. Teacher circulates, offers hints, and keeps students engaged.
Discussion (10 minutes): Groups brainstorm health impacts (short bullet map).
Summary (10 minutes) / Group Reflection (5 minutes): Students discuss the terms they found in the puzzle. Teacher ensures correct definitions are reviewed and encourages learners to share real-world connections. Supporting questions: "Which terms were familiar or unfamiliar to you?" / "How might these terms appear in patient care scenarios?"
Individual part (5–10 minutes): Students complete the word search individually. Teacher circulates, offers hints, and keeps students engaged.
Discussion (10 minutes): Groups brainstorm health impacts (short bullet map).
Summary (10 minutes) / Group Reflection (5 minutes): Students discuss the terms they found in the puzzle. Teacher ensures correct definitions are reviewed and encourages learners to share real-world connections. Supporting questions: "Which terms were familiar or unfamiliar to you?" / "How might these terms appear in patient care scenarios?"
Mode of Implementation
Group Work (small groups of 3–4 recommended, but can also be done individually).
Role of the Teacher
Introduce the activity and explain its purpose. Guide students through puzzle completion. Facilitate reflection by linking vocabulary to real-world challenges. Encourage inclusive participation and provide constructive feedback.
Theoretical Basis
The word search puzzle introduces key vocabulary in a playful, low-pressure way that serves as a disorienting dilemma — participants may realize they are unfamiliar with certain critical terms. Disorienting Dilemma: Encountering unfamiliar words related to refugee and migrant health may challenge students' existing knowledge. Critical Reflection: After the puzzle, participants reflect on why these terms are important and how they connect to real health challenges. Dialogue and Action: Students engage in group discussion on the meaning of each term and its relevance to professional practice.
Practical Application
The puzzle is followed by a discussion and mini-case activity where learners apply the terms to simulated patient-care scenarios involving migrants and refugees. This bridges theory with practice by showing how vocabulary reflects real challenges (e.g., language barriers, discrimination, mental health).
Knowledge Transfer
Students will be able to apply key terminology when analyzing case studies in other courses (nursing, medicine, global health). Knowledge transfer is reinforced through discussion linking terms to actual intercultural healthcare settings.
Reinforcement & Reflection
Use self-assessment reflection prompts (e.g., "Which term was most unfamiliar to me? How does understanding this term deepen my awareness of migration and health challenges?"). Peer discussions allow learners to teach back the definitions to one another. Teacher provides formative feedback during group discussions, highlighting strengths and suggesting areas for further inquiry.
Required Resources
Access to the online word search puzzle; handouts of key definitions; whiteboard or flipchart for group sharing.
Assessment / Evaluation
Self-Assessment: Students note which terms they learned and how their understanding improved. Peer-Assessment: In pairs, explain one term to each other and provide feedback.
Practical Tips
Use puzzles as icebreakers to lower anxiety around heavy topics. Provide access to a glossary for support. Connect fun activities with serious reflection so students see purpose beyond the game.
Discussion Topics
Which terms were familiar or unfamiliar to you? How might these terms appear in healthcare practice? What new perspectives did you gain from peers? How do cultural differences impact communication in healthcare? What role does discrimination play in healthcare access? How can professionals advocate for refugee and migrant health equity?
Stage 2 — Amal's story: case analysis
Read the short case below and then answer the three questions. Draw on 2–3 of the terms you found in the word search (for example refugee, migration, transcultural, barriers, discrimination, equity, cultural, community, diversity, health).
Amal is a 27-year-old refugee who recently arrived in a host country after fleeing conflict in her home region. She speaks very little of the local language and has limited literacy in her own language. Amal visits a community health clinic because she has frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping, and feelings of constant worry. During the appointment the healthcare provider notices that Amal struggles to understand medical explanations and becomes visibly anxious when asked about her past experiences. She seems hesitant to discuss certain topics, and cultural differences in how she describes her symptoms make communication more difficult.
- 1. Which 2–3 terms from the word search apply most directly to Amal's situation, and how do they come alive in this case?
- 2. What language, cultural, and psychosocial barriers would you anticipate in providing care for Amal?
- 3. As the healthcare provider, what concrete, culturally sensitive steps would you take to build trust with Amal and address her needs?
Stage 2 — Amal's story: case analysis
Read the short case below and then answer the three questions. Draw on 2–3 of the terms you found in the word search (for example refugee, migration, transcultural, barriers, discrimination, equity, cultural, community, diversity, health).
Amal is a 27-year-old refugee who recently arrived in a host country after fleeing conflict in her home region. She speaks very little of the local language and has limited literacy in her own language. Amal visits a community health clinic because she has frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping, and feelings of constant worry. During the appointment the healthcare provider notices that Amal struggles to understand medical explanations and becomes visibly anxious when asked about her past experiences. She seems hesitant to discuss certain topics, and cultural differences in how she describes her symptoms make communication more difficult.
- 1. Which 2–3 terms from the word search apply most directly to Amal's situation, and how do they come alive in this case?
- 2. What language, cultural, and psychosocial barriers would you anticipate in providing care for Amal?
- 3. As the healthcare provider, what concrete, culturally sensitive steps would you take to build trust with Amal and address her needs?
Further Resources
Reflective writing: "How does my own cultural background shape how I interpret the health challenges of migrants and refugees?" Students research one real-world refugee health initiative in their country and summarize how it addresses barriers.
Additional Remarks
Ensure sensitivity: avoid framing refugees and migrants only as 'vulnerable,' but also highlight resilience and strengths. Adapt puzzle difficulty depending on group level.