Abstract:

Refugees are very often fleeing their homes for their very lives. They experience a multitude of horrors in their homeland, including being victims of violence, assault, and even torture. They witness genocide and other atrocities and are usually forced to leave behind everything of value including loved ones, material possessions and any accumulated wealth. The survivor often lives in a refugee camp for months or years, being subjected to overcrowding, disease, exploitation and sometimes violence. When refugees finally arrive in their new home country they are often overwhelmed by the differences in language, culture, values, food, climate and technology. Family structure and roles shift as the generations assimilate at dramatically different paces. All of these issues compound and affect the learning ability and experience of children, many of whom are experiencing culture shock and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In this presentation we will explore information about the Hmong as they fled Laos, survived refugee camps and eventually settled in (among other countries) the United States. The facts were garnered by the author as she researched for her book and include personal interviews, books by experts and the author's trips to museums and cultural centers in the United States and in Laos. The presentation will outline the many challenges faced by the refugee population.

Keywords:

Refugee, trauma, learning.