For the past two weeks I have been immersing myself in the youth programs at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (SVNH).  I am there to conduct qualitative research on youth settlement through the many programs that   SVNH provides.  I have been participating in both settlement and non-settlement youth groups.  The SVNH programming staff as well as the youth participants have been helpful and forthcoming about issues and experiences.  Thus, I have gained insight into what these programs do for the new immigrant community.  To my surprise the non-settlement programs are a very important piece in integrating immigrant youth into Canada.  As a researcher, I have tried to immerse myself as much as possible within the organization by joining in the program activities in hopes to gain more information on the subject of youth settlement.  The result has been a wealth of information and unexpected discoveries.

I went into this research project with a particular interest in mind; I wanted to know more about the experiences of youth navigating between old and new cultures.  However, the more I participated in the youth programs and talked with the youth and group leaders, the more new questions emerged and possible directions to take.  It was while participating in the non-settlement programs that I realized some of the major youth settlement issues at hand.  For example, while volunteering in the Afterschool Homework Club, I learned that one of the biggest challenges for staff is that some students have no desire to learn English or be successful in school, even to graduate.  These youth have job goals of working in Chinese restaurants or family businesses where they do not need to know English or have formal education credentials.  This was an unexpected discovery and went against all my assumptions.

By participating in the Friday Night Volunteer group, I have had opportunities to chat with many youth immigrants.  A general theme I have noticed so far is that making friends is hugely important to them and their Canadian experience; the programs through SVNH enable them to do this.  However, some have told me that they do not always like being in Canada and I was surprized to learn that many of them eventually wanted to return to their home country.

I realized that being a researcher means that you start out with one question and end up with many, many more.  In fact, it is rather overwhelming and daunting.  These issues that I am starting to uncover through my participation, has led me to new questions and different directions to focus my research.  What does it truly mean to be ‘settled’?  Is this definition the same for youth immigrants as it is for the program developers at SVNH?  What is it that is difficult for newcomer youth to Vancouver?  What needs are getting met and what needs are not?  What factors or challenges influence the type of programming and resources made available to new immigrant youth?  During the next three weeks, I will continue my participation within the youth programs.  I plan to interview several staff members as well as engage in conversations with the immigrant youth who use SVNH’s program resources in order to answer these questions and develop these themes.  However, from what I learned thus far, I must remain open and fluid because there are likely to be more unexpected discoveries.