Each year the United States resettles thousands of
refugees in the U.S. The goal of the U.S. refugee
program is to provide a durable solution to
suffering refugees while facilitating timely self-
sufficiency upon arrival. To accomplish this,
the government provides a cultural orientation
program in asylum countries for U.S. bound refugees.
This study explores the efficacy of pre-
departure cultural orientation in improving
employment success. Based in the acculturation
theory of John Berry, the study analyzes a sample of
15,737 Sudanese, Somali and Liberian refugees. The
study operationalizes employment outcomes as an
element of acculturation success, examining Berry s
theory that all refugees experience the same levels
of acculturation stress and success regardless of
ethnicity while simultaneously exploring his
suggestion that interventions should be provided
prior to departure.
This analysis is of interest to international
social workers and humanitarian workers interested
in the acculturation or integration process.
Experts in African studies, refugee studies and
scholars in displacement will find the work equally
beneficial.
refugees in the U.S. The goal of the U.S. refugee
program is to provide a durable solution to
suffering refugees while facilitating timely self-
sufficiency upon arrival. To accomplish this,
the government provides a cultural orientation
program in asylum countries for U.S. bound refugees.
This study explores the efficacy of pre-
departure cultural orientation in improving
employment success. Based in the acculturation
theory of John Berry, the study analyzes a sample of
15,737 Sudanese, Somali and Liberian refugees. The
study operationalizes employment outcomes as an
element of acculturation success, examining Berry s
theory that all refugees experience the same levels
of acculturation stress and success regardless of
ethnicity while simultaneously exploring his
suggestion that interventions should be provided
prior to departure.
This analysis is of interest to international
social workers and humanitarian workers interested
in the acculturation or integration process.
Experts in African studies, refugee studies and
scholars in displacement will find the work equally
beneficial.