Before they depart for the United States, refugees receive cultural orientation (CO) to help them prepare for their new lives in America. Here we answer some basic questions about overseas CO: What is its purpose? Who provides it? Who receives it? When is it provided? What topics does it address? How is it conducted? What instructional methodologies are used? What challenges do overseas CO trainers face?
What is the purpose of overseas CO?
The purpose of overseas CO is to help refugees develop realistic expectations about life in the United States. Overseas CO enables refugees to begin processing, in a safe and familiar environment, what can be an overwhelming amount of new information. Through overseas CO, refugees gain an early understanding of what they will experience in the United States, and develop confidence that they can succeed.
Who provides overseas CO?
Overseas CO is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). PRM generally contracts with agencies to conduct overseas CO in various locations. Contracted agencies currently include three intergovernmental or international agencies (the International Catholic Migration Commission, the International Organization for Migration, and the International Rescue Committee) and two U.S.-based agencies, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Church World Service. In select locations, CO is provided by the U.S. embassy or government presence.
Where is overseas CO provided?
Overseas CO is provided in over 40 countries. These are usually countries of first asylum—that is, countries that refugees flee to for protection and assistance—although in special cases refugees are processed in their home countries.
Who receives overseas CO?
All refugees over the age of 15 who have been approved for resettlement to the United States are eligible to receive CO. But because of childcare obligations, logistical considerations, or class size, sometimes only one family member can attend CO. Some of the overseas programs also periodically conduct special classes for refugee children and youth.
When is CO conducted?
Depending on the local context, refugees may attend CO at any point between the time they are approved for resettlement and their departure for the United States.
What topics are addressed in overseas CO?
Based on State Department guidelines, overseas CO addresses 11 essential topics related to processing, travel, and resettlement:
- Pre-Departure Processing
Familiarizes refugees with the steps they need to complete before leaving for the United States.
- Role of the Resettlement Agency
Helps refugees understand the roles of a case manager and other resettlement agency staff so that they can develop realistic expectations about the help they will receive from the resettlement agency.
- Housing
Familiarizes refugees with housing types and costs, ways to find low-cost housing, and housing leases and laws.
- Employment
Covers topics such as the importance of early self-sufficiency, the job search, job interviews, types of U.S. jobs, salary deductions, employment benefits, and legal documents needed for employment.
- Transportation
Familiarizes refugees with the different types of transportation they may find in their communities; highlights laws and information concerning owning and driving a car.
- Education
Familiarizes refugees with educational opportunities for adults and children in the United States; the need for adults to work while studying is emphasized.
- Health
Provides the basic facts of U.S. health care, contrasting it with health care in the countries of origin; the importance of health insurance is discussed.
- Money Management
Introduces the concept and practice of a monthly budget; includes information of the U.S. banking system and ways to save money.
- Rights and Responsibilities
Covers U.S. laws that are most important for refugees; of special interest are family reunification and adjustment of status regulations, common legal problems encountered by refugees (such as driving without a license), cultural practices that may conflict with U.S. customs, and laws relating to domestic violence.
- Cultural Adjustment
Deals with culture shock, community mental health resources, and changing family roles; covered only when time permits.
- Travel
Familiarizes refugees with each step of the transit process, from pre-departure to arrival in the resettlement community; addresses in-flight safety, customs and immigration procedures, and security issues.
The extent to which a particular topic is covered depends on the number of hours trainers have for training and the needs of the group being trained. Learner needs are the result of factors such as the refugees' literacy levels, their familiarity with modern urban living, and the support network they are likely to have in the United States.
