The peripheries of immigration: Policies, practices and issues Teeba Alsafar International Metropolis Conference, Ponta Delgada September 14, 2011 Destination St. John’s, Newfoundland

The Setting The Policies University’s role and programming Existing gaps & questions

The Setting A need for integration and retention Economy, demographics of local area require a skilled workforce such as International students (IS) Competition for IS: new “Designer immigrants” In Newfoundland 545 people came to NL as Permanent Residents, (CIC, 2007) 1479 international students at Memorial registered for Fall 2011, (MUN, 2011) Universities/colleges play role as bridge to transitioning students into active members of the community

Immigration Strategy, HRLE, 2007 Strategy created to attract and retain immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador Indicates that Memorial university as a key partner in immigration Multiculturalism policy, HRLE, 2008 Nurturing “Welcoming Communities” to make newcomers feel at ‘home’ and promote integration Development of targeted programs to serve diverse cultural groups in areas such as, entrepreneurship, employment, housing, health, education, women’s and youth issues and legal services. Government services/policies to International Students Free Medical Care Plan International Graduate Retention Incentive Program The Policies

Programs Offered at MUN Pre-arrival New Student website with detailed checklist of how to prepare Subsidized temporary housing International Student Video project Peer Mentors Post-arrival Orientation information Peer Mentors Airport pick up/ Airport booth Roommate matching Weekly integration programming International Student Career Advisor On-campus work program includes compulsory workplace support workshops International Families Program to support dependents

Gaps.. Students are leaving Perception of better employment elsewhere (Lan & Law, 2009) Immigrants are leaving Employment opportunities and to be with family or friends (Lan & Law, 2009)

Questions left to be answered Are their policies and practices more or less suitable for the specificities of the international students who arrive to Memorial? Not really ~ more recently Rural integration and programming Attempts to get immigrants/students to connect with more rural parts of the province through employment have failed How do we take into account the characteristics of migrant groups who settle in these areas, and what are possible adaptations in public and private services while the numbers of these new arrivals remain relatively low? More research is needed in small centers Current focus on developing programming and policies that create welcoming communities and may not address the needs of current population

Contact International Student Advising, MUN Web: References: Citizenship & Immigration Canada (2010), Facts and Figures 2009-Immigration overview, Citizenship & Immigration Canada Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment (2007), Diversity – Opportunity and Growth: An immigration strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador. Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Government of Newfoundland of Labrador. International student Advising Office (2011), Personal communication. St. John’s Lan, G. & Law, R. (2009). Attracting and retaining immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador: voices from Newcomers and students. St. John’s: Leslie Harris Center of Regional Policy Development. Statistics Canada (2011), Diversity database, Statistics Canada