This study indicates that a sampling of Vietnamese refugees in the US experienced similar resettlement stories. They relied on social service organizations in their communities to help them through the initial years, transitioning from refugee camps to new and foreign communities, and benefiting from language and job skills training. They relied on each other for socioeconomic development, initial employment opportunities and job referrals, working together to rebuild cultural and social institutions and their lives. New arrivals learned social and economic skills from scratch, attained permanent residence and citizenship after five or more years as refugees. Economic mobility appears to be on an upward trend and reliance on public benefits low. Language and socioeconomic changes identified in this article confirm that some of the most disadvantaged refugees in US history have acquired essential language and employment skills. Equity of opportunity increases refugees' ability to put the trauma of flight and resettlement behind them. Only after equity of opportunity has been achieved can a refugee begin to create a future in exile. -from Author

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employment opportunity Indochinese refugees cultural adaptation USA social change