EVENTS

Research Days

11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Friday, April 19, Mandela

Camille Adolphe, junior, Human Development, Shira Anis, junior, Anthropology Caitlin Bonnaci, junior, Biological Sciences, Teddy Gyamfi, senior, Africana Studies, Lauren Johnson, senior, Sociology & Africana Studies, John Moran, sophomore, Psychology, and Nouha Saeed, junior, Sociology
Advisor: Titilayo Okoror, Associate Professor/Director of Undergraduate Studies, Africana Studies

Implementing an Orientation Program for Refugees Experiences from Working with a Kurdish Family in Binghamton, New York

On average, 60,000 refugees are resettled in the US. Research shows that refugees faced a number challenges when they arrive in a new country. In collaboration with the American Civic Association (ACA) in Binghamton, we conducted four orientation sessions with a Kurdish refugee family of four (father, mother and 2 teenagers) as part to the efforts to resettle them in the Binghamton area. The orientation sessions included information on safety, cultural adjustment, employment and health maintenance. We kept a field journal about of our experiences of working with them and their experiences of moving and settling in a new country. Our findings and experiences will be presented at the poster event.

Kasey Bizzaro, junior, Biological Ssciences, Cynthia Bortsie-Ansah, junior, Biological Sciences & Africana Studies, Fedia Louis, senior, Sociology, Shekima McNair, senior, Africana Studies, Tara Perkins, junior, Bioengineering, Toycia Pinnock, senior, Biological Sciences, and Jillian Shotwell, junior, Environmental Studies & Geography
Advisor: Titilayo Okoror, Associate Professor/Director of Undergraduate Studies, Africana Studies

Students' Experiences of Working with a Resettled Kurdish Refugee Family in Greater Binghamton, NY

The American Civic Association (ACA) resettles about 25 refugees and/or immigrants families in the Binghamton area each year. As part of the ACA efforts to increase seamless resettlement into the area, students in a Refugee and Immigrant Health course (AFST 387A) implemented an orientation program with a Kurdish family with 2.5 children (father, pregnant mother, and 2 children). The orientation provided information on the role of resettlement agency, employment, health and public assistance among other things. We kept a field journal about our interactions and experiences of working with them. We will present our findings during the poster event.