Cultural Orientation
Cultural Orientation is a partnership between the State of Colorado, African Community Center, Lutheran Family Services, Ecumenical Refugee Services, and the Spring Institute. The intended audience is newly arrived refugees. The content focuses on adjusting to life in the United States and what newcomers need to know to live and work here. Cultural Orientation is designed to be both supportive and challenging. The usual format is a two-week, 20-hour course.
Small group discussions, brainstorming, case studies, lectures and videotaped presentations are utilized in the training. Classes are organized by language group and all information is presented with the help of interpreters.
Cultural Orientation allows people to get needed information about life in the United States and to start their journey towards employment and integration as soon as possible. They will be learning about laws, procedures, and systems in their new country for many years to come, but this program gives them important information that they can use immediately to navigate their daily life successfully.
Cultural Orientation allows people to meet other community members, refugee service providers, and allies. During the class participants begin to become proficient in dealing with their new environment and gain confidence in their ability to manage the details of every day life in a new country. Class members develop skills to meet the challenges that the American culture presents to them and to gain some control over their lives.
Training Modules
- City Orientation
- Public Transportation
- Body Language
- Finances and Taxes
- Basic Laws in the United States
- American Health System
- Housing
- Cultural Adjustment and Stress Management
- Education in the United States
- Shopping
- Nutrition
- Family Life in the United States
How to Enroll
In order to produce the greatest impact, Spring Institute provides a two week format classes held two hours each day, Monday through Friday. However, other scheduling arrangements can be accommodated depending on the size of the group in different formats.
For questions regarding content, referrals and enrollment, please contact Chris Tombari, Director of Language Services, or Krassin Gueorguiev, Program Coordinator at 303-863-0188.
