Sponsors, have you ever asked yourself, why is managing expectations important to effective settlement practice? Do you just try to check off all the items on your check-list without giving consideration to how those you are settling feel? We learned at a recent Lunch & Learn, or were reminded once again, why managing expectations is essential.
It is vital to note that refugees have been forced to flee from their homes unwillingly to seek refuge in another country that may or may not be accustomed to their way of living. We need to build better relationships to ensure a successful settlement.
Marika Elek, co-chair of the Beach Cares sponsor group, and who has a background in clinical psychology from York University, with a specialty in cross-cultural adaptation, provided some important points to think about.
She emphasized that critical skills for sponsors include active listening to better understand, along with the need for acceptance and compromise as well as modelling behaviours. If there is a difference in positions, expectations by both parties need to be adjusted. A successful settlement takes time, patience and flexibility.
She addressed factors affecting acculturation such as cultural beliefs, limited education, trauma and our own expectations about what is good for people.
If you missed this Lunch & Learn, you can soon access it from the PRSN website at www.refugeesponsornet.ca under On-Demand Training, in addition to downloading our striving toward best practice guideline that focusses on Managing Expectations.