There are four types of migrant groups: sojourners, immigrants, long-term refugees, and short-term refugees. These four types of migrant groups basically will experience a pattern of adaptation known as U-Curve Model. U-Curve Model is a theory of cultural adaptation positing that migrants first experience excitement and anticipation. followed by a period of shock and disorientation; then gradually adapt to the new cultural context (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 327). U-Curve Model is the most common theory which is based on interpretive approach and all the phases described in this theory are predictable.
U-Curve Model
The story of a refugee, Moe Free is a perfect example of the U-Curve Model. At first, Free and his family were excited as they managed to leave their home country because of war. This event indicates the first stage of U-Curve Model which is anticipation. When a migrant first enters a new cultural context, he or she may be excited to be in the new situation and only a little apprehensive. Later, he started to face difficulties as the culture and lifestyle in the United States is not the same as the culture and lifestyle in the Burma. At this period, Free experienced the second stage of U-Curve Model, culture shock. Free says, the most challenging part of coming to America as a refugee was learning to speak English (Myers, 2011). But, he did not give up easily to master in English in order to provide a better life for his family. While improving his English, he also helped other refugees to learn English so that they could find job much easier in the United States. According to Free, the most important part to getting a job is learning the language (Myers, 2011). Khu Say and Khu Too, refugees from Thailand also experienced the same problem as Moe Free. For them, English is the most difficult subject to learn at school compared to science and history classes. “When I don’t understand something,” Khu Htoo said, “I will stay after class and ask the teacher” (Smith, 2011). After certain period, all of them finally could adjust themselves to the new environment. This phase is known as adjustment in which migrants learn the rules and customs of the new cultural context (Martin & Nakayam, 2012, p. 329).
English is very important for refugees in the United States.
Communication is very important to help the process of refugee resettlement in Nebraska succeed. Communication may be understood as a "symbolic process whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired, and transformed" (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 94). Most refugees who come to the United States like Free, Khu Say, and Khu Too, did not know how to speak English at all. In order to adapt to new place, they learn English and work hard to master the language. This is because learning English is important to improve their life. They also need to speak English with people around them especially at workplace, school, and health center. A dialetical perspective assumes that culture and communication are interrelated and reciprocal (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 95). A lot of migrants are struggling to improve their language and communication so that the people around them could accept them without prejudice and discrimination.
The video above is about culture shock experienced by Sudanese refugees who come to the United States. One of the differences highlighted in this video is the number of wives allowed in the United States. "In the United States, we heard that there is only one wife. These things going to affect us," said one of the Sudanese.
References
Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2012). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.
Meyers, E. M. (2011, December 5). Lincoln community home to refugees from around the world. NewsNetNebraska. Retrieved from http://www.newsnetnebraska.org/news/lincoln-community-home-to-refugees-from-around-the-world/
Smith, M. S. (2011, December 11). Lincoln refugee finds empathy as strife hits Congo. Lincoln journal star. Retrieved from http://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-refugee-finds-empathy-as-strife-hits-congo/article_6f011d2a-fe13-5d11-bbee-b5de6f5aba59.html
Stefankiewicz, R. S. (2012, May 13). Lincoln's refugee students find language barriers when doing homework. Lincoln journal star. Retrieved from http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/family/lincoln-s-refugee-students-find-language-barriers-when-doing-homework/article_4fbd65f1-c12e-5702-90cd-1321dfda5257.html
In this post, you talk about how important learning English is for refugees to adapt to their new culture. I wonder if there is more we can do to help these people learn English. The children do okay learning it at school, but the parents lag behind. My first idea is to offer free English classes, but I feel like this would have limited effectiveness. What else could we do to help them?
ReplyDeleteI really think its is interesting that English is such a popular topic when talking about the immigrants, and I agree about Moe Free an the U-curve
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