One of the important functions of cultural orientation programs is to prepare refugees for cultural stress. In one activity, participants are asked to write their name twice—once with their natural hand, and then with the other hand. This activity teaches refugees how it feels to re-learn some things, which is something they will surely have to do when they move to America.
Another activity, called “Who is an American?” is supposed to teach refugees that American has a very diverse society. For this activity, there are two types of photographs—one of Americans, and one of non-Americans. Usually, most of the Americans in the pictures are non-white, while most of the non-Americans shown are white (such as Europeans). When two pictures are held up, the participants must choose which one they think is the American. Usually they choose the picture of the white person, but they find out that they are incorrect. This teaches them that Americans can be of any color or ethnicity, not just the white, blue-eyed people commonly portrayed in the news and media.
A third exercise is a quiz for refugees about being on time. It asks questions like: When should you arrive for a doctor’s appointment? When should you arrive for a social event? How long should you stay at somebody’s house when you are over for dinner? This teaches refugees about the appropriate treatment of time in American culture. For example, they need to be on time for appointments, while it’s OK to be a bit late (but not too late) on social occasions. This quiz also teaches the concept of not leaving too early (in which case the host will be offended), but also not “overstaying your welcome” (staying at somebody’s house so long that they become uncomfortable).