“I was well informed. It was a great advantage”: Pre-arrival information seeking,information intelligence,and immigrants’ settlement

Abstract

This study reports on the role of pre-arrival information seeking and informed decision making in the settlement experiences of Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada. Despite the importance of immigrants in shaping Canada’s future in innovation, economy, and population, this research shows a significant mismatch between immigrants’ expectations and their actual settlement experiences, particularly in terms of their employment. This mismatch can lead to depression, frustration, and anxiety, affecting integration into Canadian society. While there has been a recent increase in immigrants’ settlement information behavior research in LIS, most focus on post-arrival information needs and seeking. Research findings of this study contribute to understanding the effects of limited access to pre-arrival information and of post-arrival settlement challenges and of the role of active and proactive information seeking in helping newcomers make informed decisions about their lives in their adopted country. The study introduces the concept of “information intelligence” which describes how some newcomers cultivate and use their informational, social, and emotional competencies to gather a comprehensive picture of life before arrival, resulting in better settlement preparations and experiences. The study recommends that government-sponsored comprehensive pre-arrival informational sessions be mandatory for potential immigrants that share information about both benefits and challenges of moving to Canada. This approach ensures newcomers receive accurate and timely information to prepare for life in Canada, reducing reliance on informal or potentially unreliable sources. The study also recommends that these sessions include components to help potential immigrants identify public library programs and services that may benefit them and their families after arriving in Canada.