“It was difficult to adapt … to another culture, but … the possibilities were endless”: The integration experiences of older Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees in Canada

Background Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees were two of the largest waves of refugee entry in Canada in the 20 th century. There is a lack of research examining the long-term migration experiences of these groups. Methods This study conducted in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with Hungarian (n=25) and Vietnamese (n=17) refugees in Canada aged 50 and older. Interview questions focused on various factors that are known to impact the experiences of refugees, such as pre- and post-migration experiences, social capital, health, acculturation, and personal factors. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Emergent themes and subthemes are described. Results The migration and settlement experiences of older Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees in Canada aligned with three main themes: (1) post-arrival experiences, which describes adapting to arrival in Canada, navigating financial support, accessing employment, building social capital, and navigating acculturation barriers; (2) long-term settlement experiences, which explains the process of re-defining one’s sense of identity, socioeconomic integration, changing social capital, and navigating physical and mental health through the lifespan; and (3) reflections on refugee policy in Canada, which discusses reflections on experiences of new refugees and advice for new refugees in Canada. Our results show that Hungarian and Vietnamese refugees had several similarities, as evident by their shared themes, but some marked differences in their migration experiences, as indicated by variation in how these themes emerged in the results. Discussion Various factors, such as social capital, acculturation experiences, and age at migration impact the migration and settlement experiences of refugees throughout the lifespan. It is essential to explore and understand these factors to support the long-term well-being of refugees in Canada.