Immigration and Integration

Sarang Plus activity last Tuesday left me thinking again of what exactly is the purpose of that program. I do remember that it's basically geared toward the newcomers who has been here for not long enough to experience and learn some culture. This I appreciate since I never had much chance to join a lot when I first got here.

But then again, I felt some activities, if not most, left me thinking that if this is a way of integration, it sure failed me a bit. Why? I really don't feel comfortable on the way they handle lunch. More than twice that I felt that I am always will be a guest, an outsider. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that.

This made me search for programs other countries has for integrating immigrants. The best one that came to mind is Germany. It's a little hard to find English literature on the subject but this one got me reading a bit, Global Migration Research Paper by Zuzanna Hubschmann.

It was in the middle of the night that I woke up to run to the bathroom and couldn't go back to sleep that this thought really came to me. Something can be improved in this program. I wonder how other countries go about their integration programs? As usual, I wonder about things a lot.

Some notes that struck me.

"Moreover, migrants enter these programs with already existing networks and do not wait for the program to start integrating, finding jobs, apartments, meeting people. Surprisingly, the program does not provide any opportunity to connect with German nationals, except for the teacher. It gives no assistance in creating networks with locals, which is a key factor of integration. Thus, after completing half a year of integration courses, a migrant may be still be isolated from the German community, despite an increased feeling of attachment to the country."

"providing the migrants with greater opportunities to connect with Germans could improve the long-term outcomes of participating in such a program" p. 33

Good points for the Damuwha programs though is they got that part on the job thing and stuff.

"Apart from teaching basic German and creating an opportunity to meet other migrants, the program provides little assistance in a “real-life integration”: finding a job or learning how to do so, connecting with locals and migrant associations, learning how to participate in political and social life. Despite the program’s claim that the integration certificate will help in finding a job, the level of German acquired at the end of it is too low for most employers. Writing resumes, practicing interviews, assistance in translating migrant qualifications into the German market, educational opportunities available to migrants, could all be incorporated into the structure of the program. Currently, no such efforts are made and migrants are left to their own devices to find out where to go and what assistance is available."

Indicators:
Indicators of integration that measure its process and progress vary depending on a nation-state’s vision of what successful integration means. Among the most common indicators are labor market participation, language proficiency, socio-economic status, level of participation in public discourse and civil society, as well as cultural and religious practices.

This has been an interesting read. I would have to find another time to rearrange my thoughts on this matter and how Korea fares in immigration and integration. For now, I've got to prepare for the Korean 1-on-1 session later.

My conundrum is finding someone who is willing to talk and hang out with in Korean only. Who would not let me feel being talked down, who would not just lecture me about stuff but give me a chance to speak out. A well-trained language teacher is what I have in mind.