ERIC Number: ED385618
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1995-May
Pages: 57
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Bosnian Refugee Resettlement in the U.S. Survey Report.
Somach, Susan D.
In early 1995 the Center for Applied Linguistics conducted a survey of 42 refugee service providers in 22 communities throughout the United States. The purpose of the study was to collect information about Bosnian resettlement and to elicit the recommendations of service providers about the content of pre-arrival orientation for Bosnian refugees. Since July 1994 the U.S. Department of State has funded the International Catholic Migration Commission to provide cultural orientation to U.S.-bound refugees from Bosnia. An overwhelming conclusion from the survey is that services available for Bosnian refugees vary widely by area and sometimes by refugee. In addition, the favorable climate for legislative reform could rapidly make current information obsolete. It is difficult to make generalizations about refugee services in advance of their arrival. English classes are generally available, and the voluntary agencies are generally succeeding in placing Bosnians in entry-level jobs. The greatest adjustment challenges are in the areas of language, starting over, work, culture shock, and current events in Bosnia. Recommendations are made for programs in the United States and for enhanced preparation for immigration in Bosnia. The importance of cultural orientation is emphasized. Five appendixes provide supplemental information, including the agency questionnaire. (SLD)
Publication Type: Tests/Questionnaires; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington, DC. Refugee Service Center.
Identifiers - Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina; Yugoslavia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A