Immigrant Integration Aided by the Internet presentation - Nick Kasteljanov Studies consider the internet to be one of the most popular media used by immigrants. The importance of access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) resources for immigrants is well documented in the literature. This presentation will showcase a number of key findings from empirical research conducted in Nova Scotia about the importance of access to integration services on-line.

1. Immigrant Integration
Aided by the Internet:
Nova Scotia (NS) Findings
Nick Kasteljanov,
Wolfville Memorial Library C@P Lab
Tools for Life Conference 2012

2. My Wedding
In Wolfville, NS
I, from Serbia
My wife, from Colombia
100 % Immigrants

3. My Wedding
Was video-streamed over the Internet to two continents

4. Internet is Important for Immigrants!
 Tool for integration?
 “Integration” is the term used in Canada to describe the
process of embracing and involving immigrants in their
new community (NWGSCS, 2007).
 Faster integration = More effective NS workforce
 Faster integration = Happy families
 Faster integration = Progressive communities

5. Needs
 Information!
 Integration services are available in big cities.
 Services such as language education, employment
counselling, mentoring, and entrepreneurship in rural
areas.

6. Potential
 The Internet has the potential to remove barriers -
Internet delivered (online) services.
 Number of Internet-based technologies and services
available. (Underutilised?)

7. Research
 Exploratory
 Literature Research
 Empirical Research in NS
 Key findings:
 Immigrants in NS use the Internet for easier integration;
 Community needs assessments are important for the
development of online services for immigrants;
 The best framework for the delivery of immigrant services
online is a partnership between immigrant service providers
(such is ISIS) and the local community partners such are
libraries.

8. Secondary Findings
 Internet - most popular media used by immigrants (Chen,
2010).
 Internet is an enabler ( Scopsi, 2004; cited in Hamel, 2009) .
 Obtainment of equal opportunities (Elias & Lemish’s study, 2009;
Farlie, 2005; cited in Weiskopf, 2008).
 Immigrants seen as typical “off-liners” (Kissau, 2006).
However, in Canada immigrants have a higher
Internet use percentage than non-immigrants (Chiswick &
Miller, 2005; Statistics Canada, 2008 cited in Hamel, 2009).

9. Secondary Findings
 EU success thanks to public Internet access points
designed specifically for immigrants, such as in
immigration service provider’s offices and public libraries
(Hamel, 2009).
 Immigrant Internet usage was mostly to search for
information, to communicate, and to keep in touch with
their home country and families (Kissau, 2006).
 Benefits of using Internet for integration: finding
meaningful employment, social networking, skills
development, settlement process, and assistance in daily
activities.

10. Secondary Findings
 Ninety-eight per cent of the immigrants stated that
their use of the internet had a positive effect on their
life (Kissau, 2008).
 Internet - a very important tool in finding meaningful
employment (Kuhn and Skuterud (2002 cited in TIEDI, 2011).
 Internet-based platforms can also be used to assess
skills and give visibility to capabilities and experiences
of immigrants (Kluzer & Rissola, 2009).

11. Nova Scotia Findings
 NS experiences - showing the use of the Internet by
immigrants as an assistive tool for integration.
 ISIS - leader in online immigrant services delivery in
NS.
 ISIS has identified childcare, health, transportation
and work schedules as barriers to access of services in
face-to-face programmes (Larson, 2009).

12. Empirical Research
 Questionnaires.
 NS immigrants (sixty five respondents).
 An insight into the Internet usage patterns by
immigrants in Nova Scotia.

13. Empirical Research
ICT resources access by respondents
100
90 86.15
80.95
80
70 66.66
60
60
50
40
30 27.69 26.15
20 14.28 14.28 13.84
9.52
10
0
I own my own computer I have access to the internet I have access to the internet I’m using internet access in I use "smart" phone to
from my home using fast using network at my work the public library access internet
internet connection
All respondents (%) One year in NS (%)

14. Empirical Research
Respondents’ Internet applications use
100
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Email Skype or similar audio Facebook or similar Online learning Websites in my Job searching &
chat social networks language preparation websites

15. Empirical Research
Respondents’ Internet use by tasks
120
100
80
60
%
40
20
0
Communicate with Find information Improve my English Participate in online Find a job Find housing
other people skills communities

16. Empirical Research
Comparison of usage of Internet to access services for immigrants –
All VS respondents residing in NS in between 1 to 5 years.
100
90
Two frequently
80
mentioned websites
70
were:
60
Citizenship and
Yes
50
Immigration Canada.
No
40 URL: cic.gc.ca
30 and
20 Immigrant Settlement
10 & Integration Services.
0 URL: isisns.ca
All respondents (%) 1-5 years in NS (%)

17. Empirical Research
 The reason that I use the Internet to access services for immigrants is
that they are not available in my area.
 Did you easily understand the information provided and website
navigation on web sites provided by immigrant service providers?

18. Empirical Research
 How would you measure the usefulness of services available online
aimed at assisting immigrants?
 If you used those services, do you think they assisted you to settle
faster (more easily)?

19. Further Opportunities
 Practical
implementation in the
libraries and C@P sites.
 Economically feasible.

20. Q&A?

21. Thank You
 Nick Kasteljanov
Wolfville Memorial Library C@P Lab
 wolfvillecap@valleylibrary.ca
 www.valleylibrary.ca/wocap