Exit West

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

 “Character Decision-Making”

As the characters in Exit West demonstrate, refugees frequently face difficult decisions that they must make with little time to confer or gather complete information. After researching tales of refugees’ experiences, students will write a retelling of Saeed and Nadia’s story based on changes in their decisions.

Part A

Reflect carefully on the experiences of the characters in Exit West. Then use reputable resources to research additional true stories that represent refugees’ situations and experiences in current or historical events.

• What choices are the refugees faced with in the situations you researched? Do you notice any different challenges that face male and female refugees?
• How does this activity help you to better understand Saeed and Nadia’s journey in Exit West?

Part B

Now, briefly retell the ending of Saeed and Nadia’s journey, incorporating different choices the characters could have made in the novel. For example:

• What would have happened if Saeed and Nadia had stayed together romantically?
• What would have happened if Saeed’s father insisted on coming with them?
• What would have happened if Nadia had insisted on seeing her family before leaving?