I've had many interesting conversations around integration over the years, both in Finland as a foreigner, and in Australia as a local, who was often considered as a foreigner. These have been held with friends, family, and strangers, and everyone has an opinion. I do too. Though I also think that the world has changed significantly over the last few decades and this has upended a lot of the conditions of integration.
In Finland, the expectation is that in order to be integrated, a foreigner needs to learn the language. And while I understand this in many respects, I don't think it is a key component at all. Yes, ideally a foreigner in a country should learn the language, but there are also many reasons why they don't, or can't.
For instance when I came to Finland and knowing I was only going to be here a year, I still tried to learn Finnish, but ran into a problem. No one would speak to me in Finnish, only English. Even when I tried, they would answer in English. Some gave the excuse of wanting to improve their (already great) English, but it was most likely because it was easier and we could speak in depth about things, because Finland has spent billions of Euros and decades educating Finns to learn English. It is because of this last bit that I think it is ridiculous that when someone comes into the country as a refugee, they have to learn Finnish before they can get a job - even though they already speak English.
But the job is another issue for learning Finnish, because lots of companies are actually international and have a corporate language of English. This means if coming in for work, a person doesn't necessarily have the opportunity to learn Finnish there, but they also have no social network outside of the workplace. And integration services for learning Finnish aren't given to those who already have a job. A catch-22 situation. Over time, the social network builds an English-speaking affair.
But these days, in a world that is not only globalised but also has an increasing range of innovative tools to circumnavigate language differences, is language really a good indicator of anything? After all, all the drug addicts and alcoholics hanging around the middle of the city speak Finnish fluently, albeit with an angry slur and filthy words. I just don't think language is a good indicator of integration these days, even if it is an uncomfortable situation for those who believe it is vital to their identity. In the future, I believe that it is going to matter very little, as it will be like in Star Trek where they have a universal translator.
Personally, I think that it makes more sense to look under the surface of what someone says and instead consider how they behave. I think behaviour is a far better indicator of "who we are" than the words we speak. Is the person working or actively looking for work, are they trying to add value to the community and country, are they building a family that will add value to society, are they interested in the governance, are they building a social network? Essentially, are they are net positive for the country?
Being foreign doesn't automatically come with a value-add, there has to be action to increase practical impact for the better. And "for the better" has to be more than just paying enough tax, right? It has to be of the sort that not only creates value today, but encourages value to be generated in the future also. That means that the family, and the behaviours of family members matter too.
I find all of this interesting, because from my observations and experience, I don't think any foreigner is every fully integrated, if it means that they have to get approval from all locals. It doesn't matter how many tick boxes are checked and how much value added, they will always be foreign. And what this means is that there is no chance to actually integrate, no matter how well the language is spoken, if being accepted is the metric. However, it is possible to integrate if it comes down to adding value to society, even if not accepted, and this can be done *without speaking the language at all.
I also think it would be interesting if there was an overall "integration score" that could be applied, where someone would have to get over say, 80/100 to be considered integrated. What factors would be included? And then, how many locals would not make the cut? Because while people can be born into a country and culture, it doesn't mean their behaviours align, nor does it mean they are a net positive. I suspect that a lot of locals are not a net positive, yet still benefit from acceptance. And perhaps locals shouldn't accept local people who have had all the opportunities to be a functioning and valuable member of society, but have chosen to be a cost instead, a problem.
I don't think social scoring is the answer and will cause a huge amount of problems, but the fact is that it already happens at the individual level, and in some part, at the government level also. We have our opinions when we walk down the street and see someone who doesn't look local, and we pass a judgement, making assumptions about their behaviours and the value they add or take away from society.
It doesn't matter what we say, or what language we say it in, we all pass judgements on others.
In that respect, there is zero diversity.
Taraz
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I went with being active in the community. While it might not be the most accurate, I think it is one of the most important pieces. It's an interesting discussion though. I often find myself being judgemental and I know it is really just a twist of fate that could put me in a much different position.
Yep. We all could. Most people don't acknowledge how much of their life experience is due to fate.
This is where America is really shining! Integration here is easy and provides great opportunities to those willing to work hard, invest smart and become part of community.
We are not businesses owners, but provided lots of jobs to locals via multiple major property renovation projects. We also had at least three years where we paid more in just Federal taxes than most Americans born here earn in ten years.
But we are small potatoes compared to our daughter's best friend father at school who is a businessman who owns over one hundred restaurants in America and came here as Adult. Think of how many jobs he provides and how much taxes he pays...
Meanwhile Trump administration is proposing to rename the language we use here into American. This is not a joke...
I think it really depends. I suspect right now in many places, people aren't feeling that integrated at all.
I think in most countries there are great examples of immigrants adding value, but the focus is on the negatives.
Lol. What dufus.
in philippines, foreigners are treated like higher than locals.. special.. almost like visiting royalty. (but more casual)
it is cool to speak a few words of the language tho..
The ones that live there too, or just the tourists? I have some Filipino friends who have married Finns and when they go back, they are treated well. But unsure if it would be the same for a foreigner living in the country.
i lived there for 4 years. (even joined steemit that time) and besides always being the tallest one in a crowd, I always felt I was treated better than most of the locals.
The answer is right with you in the end. But the world is a place to leave your contribution wherever you are, in any form, without a language. Judgements are going to be there, we all make mistake, but in a foreign land, one mistake will cover the entire respective community or pile up more than necessary sometimes. It shouldn't happen, but you can't keep away from the stereotype. Good people are everywhere too.
It's all about doing what matters the most where you live, contributing what you can, and just taking care of yourself and the people around you.
And I think that this is a big part of the issue, because many people will spend an inordinate amount of time judging others, but never look in the mirror.
This! I started improving my English too, because I was mocked for my English despite being good from an international point of view, but not locally; I understand, but I was mocked to show some superiority of language or superiority in thoughts. How dumb though.
Sometimes, people would go far beyond to integrate themselves. And, really, have to make a way out of it. This topic could go for extensive multi-dimensional discussions.
But, I see some foreign people would get pinched, even some soft punches of words thrown at them, because of insecurity, which is even done in a joking way by locals. But, again, the question is, are those punches really meant like a sword or just the way they are for fun? I can't tell. But, great people are there who understand the integration and diversity, and that has powered local communities.
People have become far too soft. In my opinion, one of the greatest ways to make friends, is to lightly tease and pick on each other. Take down the barriers, rather than keep putting more up.
Hard one to pick.. But the one that stood out more to me was adopting cultural norms, which is probably a good indicator of integrating in the community. Of course the majority of the choices are very relevant too.
I guess it depends on the cultural norm :D
I think one of the values of being foreign, is doing things a bit differently to locals. At the same time, that doesn't mean disrespecting locals.
You have a point too, there's also the bit about cultural exchange, where we learn from one another (the good parts of course!). Hehe.
I think foxusing on actions and contributions instead of just language skills might result in a deeper comprehension of what it truly means to integrate.
That, and I think it will actually create stronger relationships.
Sure behavior is far more better than the words we speak, some people think speaking only will make them get what they want but no, actions speaks louder than words. Example, when you are aiming for respect in the community, you can't just start speaking to people with command directing, that is definitely wrong and you won't get the full respect you are expecting. but when you change your behavior, start acting responsible, respect people, that is when the full Respect you are expecting will come when you speak, but not just blast into speak, speaking only will not make you achieve your goals
agree 💯 language alone isn’t enough, but it still helps a lot in everyday life and connection for sure. What matters most is how someone lives, and most important respecting the rules, and being part of the community.
Language isn’t everything.
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The top-voted choice is Active in the Community with 5 accounts voting for it.