Social partners project INTEGRA

Dona Daria Dona Daria is a centre for emancipation in Rotterdam. The centre offers diverse activities for: women men youngsters The centre organises: courses seminars expert meetings The centre develops and publishes brochures and books on emancipation issues. 4 times a year a newsletters comes out.

Volksuniversiteit Rotterdam The Rotterdam Volksuniversiteit is an adult educational centre aimed at bringing knowledge and science to the general public. It offers a wide range of courses: - languages courses in 28 foreign languages - language courses in Dutch as a second language - communication - history - art and culture - creativity - computer - cooking More than 4200 participants attend one of the 350 courses each year. The courses of Dutch as a second language attract more than 500 students a year.

Welkom in Rotterdam Welcome in Rotterdam is an organization which brings together old and new Rotterdammers. This happens in several steps: New and old Rotterdammers are informed and attracted to participate by different channels: website, flyers, network New Rotterdammers meet old Rotterdammers during the so called ‘mixture-meetings’. they get to know each other and make appointments they go and visit together interesting places in the city This way new Rotterdammers learn more about their new neighbors and home city and practice the language. Old Rotterdammers are proud to show their city and get acquainted with the culture of their new neighbors. The organisation has been active for 5 years.

Survey Results 33 people were interviewed. 19 female and 14 male. The interviewed come from 10 different countries 9 Bulgaria 7 Poland 2 Romania 5 Turkey 4 Morocco 1 Iran 1 Bosnia Herzegovina 1 Yemen 1 Afghanistan 2 Aruba

Main conclusions Most expectations of the interviewed of their new life in the Netherlands have been met. Most of the interviewed do not experience many problems to adjust to the Netherlands. Most of the interviewed have learned only basic words of the language before coming to the Netherlands. A majority of the interviewed have more problems with writing in Dutch. A majority of the interviewed have more problems with reading in Dutch.

Main conclusions Interviewed migrants who speak English have less language problems when conducting everyday financial affairs than migrants who do not speak English. A majority of the interviewed who do not speak English cannot open a bank account without some assistance. A majority of the interviewed have problems with paying bills on line. A majority of interviewed experience no problems with paying in a shop. A majority of the interviewed who come from Bulgaria and Poland who have come to look for a job do not address institutions for assistance.