Community Orientation Workshop

Learn About Life in Minnesota

Adjusting to a new country brings many changes. We help you transition to life in Minnesota.

In this free class, we teach useful topics like transportation, jobs, money management, health care and more. Our supportive teachers will also help you practice reading, writing, listening and speaking English (classes can be interpreted for qualifying students).

Community Orientation Workshops are offered online and in-person and repeat every eight weeks. The topic changes every week. You can begin class any time. You are welcome to repeat classes.

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About This Class

We will cover different topics every week. You can join any time. Here’s an outline of what you can expect:

Week 1: Transportation
Week 2: Housing
Week 3: Community resources and navigation
Week 4: Financial literacy
Week 5: Health literacy
Week 6: Education and family adjustment
Week 7: Job readiness
Week 8: Community bridges and progress toward citizenship

Image of a highway road sign in the shape of the state of Minnesota. It says Minnesota Welcomes You.

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Community Orientation Workshop (English)

Monday – Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
In-person: International Institute of Minnesota
1694 Como Ave, St. Paul
Community Orientation Workshop (English, online)

Mondays and Tuesdays
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Online
Interpreted Community Orientation Workshop (Ukrainian)

Fridays
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ukrainian American Community Center: 301 NE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Interpreted Community Orientation Workshop (Spanish, online)

Thursdays
9:30 – 12:30 a.m.
Online

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Who Can Take Classes?

Adults with humanitarian protection immigrant status who have been living in the United States for five years or less can attend Community Orientation Workshops. This includes people with refugee, asylee, certified victim of human trafficking, special immigrant visa, Amerasian or Cuban/Haitian entrant status. Classes are free.

*Community Orientation Workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Churches with the support from the MN Refugee Program Offices (MN DHS).

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