Russel Sage Foundation

Refugees forced out of central Europe by the Nazis adjusted incredibly well to life in the United States. Disproportionate numbers of these refugees went on to attain advanced and professional degrees as well as prestigious and high-paying jobs. Science historian Gerald Holton has spent the last five years examining this group to understand the factors responsible for their high achievement rates and successful integration into American society. He found that the presence of mentors and models from the first wave that came to America helped ease the transition for those that came later. Favorable labor markets at the time and the inability to return home also contributed to successful integration. As this project nears completion, Holton is interested in the possibility that lessons learned from the central European refugee experience might be useful for those working on the integration of current refugee populations. To this end, the Foundation has given Holton support for a one-day workshop at the Foundation to present his results to refugee researchers and practitioners.