Challenges of Social and Academic Integration of Youth of Haitian Origin who Immigrated to Quebec Following the Earthquake in Haiti in January 2010
This article presents the results of a study documenting the socio-academic progress of some 40 youths of Haitian origin who immigrated to Quebec following the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. Individual interviews were conducted with the youths, some parents, teachers and psychosocial or community workers. These interviews traced the youths’ socio-academic experience before and after immigration, the needs they appeared to have upon their arrival in Quebec and the forms of support they have received from their community. Results show great resilience among the young people who have sought to overcome the grief, trauma and separation resulting from the earthquake by focusing on their studies. While several have integrated remarkably well into Quebec schools, others present multiple vulnerabilities. These results of the study are discussed in the article.