Abstract

This article explored the phenomenon of resettlement for ethnic Bhutanese refugee newcomer youth between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. In cultures which tend to differ from the American culture, language anxiety can facilitate or debilitate learners from learning a second language and can impact their cultural adaptation. Previous studies incorporating language anxiety and cultural adaptation have primarily focused on quantitative methodology and adult learners. This study explored refugee resettlement with a focus on both language anxiety and cultural adaptation among Bhutanese newcomer students in the United States. Using phenomenological methodology, results of this study are categorized in four key themes: motivation and vulnerability, fear and isolation, quality of life, and community structure and sense of belonging.