1998/99 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

Research Title: Comparative Analysis of the Adaptation and Integration Processes Among Kurdish and Yugoslav Immigrants in Alberta

Research Team: Edit Petrovic (University of Calgary) - Principal Investigator

Research Domain(s): Social; Citizenship & Culture

The research will focus on qualitative and comparative analysis of two immigrant groups who immigrated to Alberta during the past seven years. Groups in focus are Kurdish immigrants and immigrants from former Yugoslavia. Both groups are represented predominantly by the category of refugees. Kurds fled Iraq after the Gulf war in 1991, to escape the oppressive regime of Sadam Hussein, and immigrants from Former Yugoslavia fled war(s) that lasted in parts of their homeland from 1991 until 1995. Although the two groups share experiences of exile, the process of their adaptation and integration to life in Canada differs. The focus of this study will be to: 1) look at the major socio-cultural variables that may be accountable for relatively successful or unsuccessful adaptation and integration into life in Canada; 2) to analyze self-assessment and evaluation of immigrant group’s situation, as seen by members, and; 3) to look at existing policies and programs available for immigrants, and propose changes which would better meet needs of groups in focus. Based on previous research done in the area of immigrant adaptation and integration, two areas are recognized as particularly important to focus on: a) family and work, and; b) in-depth interviews will be carried out with fifty informants from each group.