The Role of Support Services in Refugee Acculturation Público

Abstract

 

In the course of only the last century, there have been over two hundred million people who have been displaced from their homes, regions, and countries due to political violence (Adelman and Barkan 2011, p. x). With the increasing numbers of refugees moving to new homes on either a temporary or often long-term basis, there is a pressing need to understand how refugees can be better acculturated into the societies into which they are displaced.

Based on a literature review and in-depth interview analysis, I develop a preliminary theoretical model of some of the drivers of refugee acculturation. Specifically, I investigated the impact of various refugee support services on the acculturation of refugees, and the efficacy as well as the presence/absence of particular services to aid in the acculturation process. The sample comprised of representatives of a total of nine refugee support services, two experts in refugee law, a refugee, and the current mayor of Clarkston as well as personal examination of several refugee community centers. I placed a particular focus on the role of the support services in helping refugees of Arab descent to acculturate. Through this study, I worked to understand the role of refugee support services in refugee acculturation to determine the key variables to include in my final model.

This research found support for the three propositions set forth after an extensive review of literature related to migrant and immigrant acculturation. First, refugee support services are powerful actors in helping refugees to acculturate. Second, allowing a longer time for refugees to integrate may allow for better acculturation, as opposed to providing funding and resources in a limited time bound fashion. Finally, English (host nation local language) proficiency is one of the greatest aids. The interviews, however, also pointed to a need for more dialogue and greater relationships between refugees and those in the host community. In general, therefore, refugee support services are beneficial over different stages of the acculturation process, but services that help build relationships in the local community and local language proficiency may be the most useful in faster and deeper acculturation.

Table of Contents

 

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………….1

Purpose of Study and Research Goals…………………………………………………….3

Contributions to Existing Literature and Practical Contributions of this Research…….....4

Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………………5

Outline of Research Method.……………………………………………………………...7

Propositions.………………………………………………………………………………9

Paper Organization.…………………...…………………………………………………12

 

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE…………………………………………………13

Definitions.……………………………………………………………………………….13

Role of UNHCR and International Refugee Law.……………………………………….20

Refugees in the United States.………………………………………………………...…23

Refugees in Georgia.……………………………………………………………………..33

Factors affecting Acculturation.………………………………………………………….38

Role of Refugee Support Services.…………………………………………………….…53

 

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODS……………………………………………………...59

Literature Review.………………………………………………………………………..59

In-Depth Interviews.……………………………………………………………………..60

 

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS…………………………………………………63

            Introduction.……………………………………………………………………………...63

Basic Services of the Five Resettlement Agencies of Georgia…………………………..64

Refugee Support Services in Georgia.…………………………………………………...68

Services Provided in General.………………………..………………………..………....90

Barriers to Refugee Acculturation.…………………………………………………..…..94

Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………106

 

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION…………………………...…………………………………..114

            Overall Findings………………………………………………………………………...114

            Recommendations………………………………………………………………………114

Future Research……………………………………………………………………...…116

 

APPENDIX A: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR REFUGEE SUPPORT SERVICE/RESETTLEMENT AGENCY STAFF………………………………………….117

 

APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR EXPERTS IN LAW……………..……119

 

APPENDIX C: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE REFUGEE …………………..…120

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Middle Eastern Studies Political Science, General
Palavra-chave	Lutheran Services of Georgia Resettlement Agency New American Pathways Refugee Services Migration Immigration Assimilation Refugees International Rescue Committee Georgia Integration Refugee Support Services Resettlement Agencies World Relief Atlanta Refugee Acculturation Resettlement Catholic Charities Atlanta Clarkston
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Kugle, Scott, Emory University Wakefield, Peter, Emory University
Committee Members	Hoesterey, Jim, Emory University Wakefield, Peter, Emory University

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