Paola
Paola
Paola
Objetive
A study of newcomers immigration and settlement experience in Toronto
This study objetive is to gain a comprehensive understanding of newcomer families' experiences in Toronto. We explored their challenges on both structural and emotional fronts, with the ultimate goal of identifying opportunities to catalyze system-level changes within the Toronto immigration framework.
Through a combination of 7 semi-structured interviews and 6 co-creation sessions, we engaged with newcomer families originating from diverse regions such as East Asia, South America, India, and Africa, who have immigrated to Toronto at various points in time. Their invaluable insights enriched our understanding of the multifaceted journey encompassing immigration, settlement and integration, shedding light on the myriad emotions entwined with each phase as they navigate the intricate process.
We asked:
What are the key elements that constitute a meaningful immigration and settlement experience for newcomers, and why?
Our goals
-
Empathize with newcomers' challenges and emotional hurdles
-
Identify specific areas (and time) in which newcomers require assistance to remain in Toronto - is it finding a sense of belonging, achieving financial stability, successfully adapting to a new environment, ensuring safety, or other things?
-
Bring salience to the role of Immigration Canada in facilitating the integration and settlement of newcomers to encourage their stay in the country
Our approach
Listen to their journey navigating their new life in Toronto
Gain insights into newcomers’ intentions behind immigration, and how that translates to what they perceive Toronto could offer them Understand how newcomers families structure the process - do they see it as three-phased: immigration, settlement and immigration?
Methodologies
Documented and reflected on our lived experiences as former
immigrants. Analyzed our individual positionalities,
assumptions and emotions to compare similarities and
differences with our participating newcomer families. Halfway
through this journey, began prioritizing fidelity to the data and
the newcomer families' stories. Realized our desire to
reciprocate the generosity of newcomer families who shared
their stories with us and to support future newcomers in
Toronto.
01
Auto-
ethnography
Distilled from our conversations 5 unique insights that
encapsulated 5 distinct challenges newcomer families face, along
with their corresponding adaptive strategies. Experienced a shift in
power dynamics, particularly when we were inspired by the
openness and willingness of our participating newcomer families to
share their stories.
04
Qualitative coding and affinity mapping
Examined the currentimmigration landscape, including motivations for immigrating to Canada/Toronto, the necessity
of immigrants for Canada, established integratin methods, and linked newcoe' experiences to acculturation and social science theories. Investigated factors influencing newcomers' decisions to leave Canada/Toronto after arrival.
02
Literature review and netnography
Anchored our insights in the intricate emotions experienced by newcomers throughout various stages of the immigration journey.
Identified leverage points and formulated recommendations on key areas of focus for Immigration Canada.
05
Co-creation card-sorting and interviews
Walked a mile with our participating newcomer families
throughout their immigration journey, gaining insights into their
perspectives at each stage. Listened to their struggles in
balancing immediate challenges with the long-term benefits of
immigration. Explored their definitions of 'success' in this
journey, challenging and validating our own assumptions about
immigration.
03
Semi-structured interviews and diary studies
Newcomer families who generously shared their stories
1 family from India
2 families from Colombia
1 family from Peru
1 newcomer from Africa
2 families from China
2 families from Hong Kong S.A.R.
1 newcomer from Nigeria
Key findings
Newcomers in Toronto face significant pressure to support their families, gain vital "Canadian experience," and reintegrate into society, especially as they navigate the balancing act of childcare for children under 18 alongside adaptation challenges.
Our participating newcomer families value the journey of
starting anew in a different place and culture, despite facing emotional challenges. Rather than eliminating these struggles, our focus is on identifying interventions to support positive outcomes throughout their adaptation process.
Insights
Together with our fellow newcomer families, we uncovered the following themes that vividly portray the emotional journey of newcomers families’ adapting to life in Toronto:
"My successes
have melted away."
A profound sense of loss and frustration when starting at the bottom of society in the new country
Rebuilding myself
to face the unknown
Self-reconstruction, driven by the urgent need to adapt and integrate into unfamiliar cultural
landscapes
Forever an
outsider
Unable to integrate when speaking English as a second
language, particularly with pronounced accents
Finding freedom
through acceptance
Embracing gratitude for the challenges and circumstances brought about by immigration
We alone, our
children's only hope
Feeling isolated and overwhelmed while concealing frustrations and fears from the children
Recommendations
Both Immigration Canada and individual Torontonians must change to facilitate a meaningful immigration and settlement experience for newcomers.
Immediate changes:
Providing comprehensive and accessible newcomer
support to navigate their daily lives in Toronto with
their family
Offering space and time for restarting and personal
growth in a new place and culture
Individual Torontonians demonstrating acceptance,
empowerment and recognition for newcomers
Systemic changes:
Rethinking the neoliberal concept of individual
adaptations and resilience in the face of challenges - do
newcomers tend to rely on individual adjustment as a
means to pursue freedom?
Opportunities
Based on our findings, our participating newcomer families recognize and appreciate the beauty in re-starting, re-learning and re-birthing into a new place and culture, albeit the emotional struggles associated with adaptation challenges and disillusionment. Hence, our strategy lies not in eradicating the struggles, but rather in identifying how we can intervene to foster positive outcomes at every stage.
Comprehensive and
accessible newcomer support to navigate ther daily lives in Toronto with their family
Streamlining the ‘Toronto 101’ support and services De-siloing existing newcomer support services and childcare
Space and time for restarting and personal growth in a new place and culture
Acknowledging that restarting and personal growth takes time
Acceptance, empowerment and recognition from Torontonians
Driving recognition and respect for immigrant expertises