Integration and experiences of immigrants within Canada

Abstract

This portfolio was created with the goal of better understanding and closely examining the various difficulties and barriers that newly landed immigrants face upon entering Canadian society. Immigrants make up a large portion of Canadian society, and yet many changes need to be made within federal and provincial policies to create a more equitable living experience for them. This portfolio is composed of three different parts: a literature review, chapter book (with AI generated images), and a diverse literature guide. The AI generated images were a choice that was not taken lightly, as I found struggle in creating images using digital art softwares. My experience as a Syrian-Canadian, the daughter of Syrian immigrants, and the relative of Syrian refugees, has influenced the creation of the chapter book and diverse literature guide, as they mirror my own childhood desires and experiences. I hope to have my diverse literature guide used throughout schools in Canada as a basis for teachers to reach for when they are unsure of how to include positive media representation of diverse students within their classroom. Furthermore, I hope to have my chapter book published, so that the many children within Canada who come here not knowing much English, can know that their experiences are valid. And even better, so that their classmates who do know English are able to be more empathetic and understanding of what it is like not to speak the main language of a country.