Six adolescent refugees, ages 15-17, were interviewed regarding transition between Bosnia and upstate New York. All had been in the United States for 3-7 years, were enrolled in public school, and fluent in English. In 45 to 90 minute semi-structured interviews, there were a wide range of responses to the teens common refugee experience. While those who had spent time in refugee camps reported feelings of loss upon leaving, travel to the United States was variously described as terrifying and as like a vacation. Although all found entering school difficult and all reported school success, self-reported interaction with peers in the school setting ranged from isolation to full involvement. Interviewees also discussed family relationships, educational and vocational goals, household tasks, values, fears, hopes, and dreams for the future. Their responses revealed individual and familial differences in the process of acculturation and coming to terms with ethnic identity during a time of adolescent identity formation. Despite the small sample size preventing generalizations based upon demographic characteristics, results provide tentative insights into this specific refugee group, serve as a basis for further research, and elucidate the findings of previous researchers. (Contains 25 references.) (Author) (ERIC No. ED480492)
