Adapt?

[seanwg]

Hi

I put my wifes Canadian Permanent Residency application in, and I got a letter back today asking for information on her son (from another marriage to a Thai) who is in Thailand living with his aunt. Going through the motions, I have this dilemma in my mind as to whether its in his best interest to stay in Thailand or come live with us when we ultimately live in Canada? After this process is done he will have dual citizenship.

He is currently 9 - I imagine it will be a year or two until all the documents are in order but typically how well do young Thai's (or any young immigrant in general) adapt to life in the west? My wife I imagine will have some difficulties (as can be expected) but what can I expect in his outcome?

On one hand, he needs to stay with his mother, who wants to live in Canada where she feels he has more options in the future (her being a middle classed I have my reservations her starting over in the land of the taxed to death shrinking middle class) ; on the other hand I wonder if it would be best for him to stay with his extended family in Canada and attendent university there/summers while growing up?

I recall in high school, a large number of chineese from hong kong a bit older of me stuck in a non-university train of english classes for a number of years - they as far as I could tell never really fit in? These were people 18-19 though.

He is taking english classes, and has been schooled in a private school.

Thoughts?

Sean

[Pink Mist]

we have a son from previous marriage living with us (in Oz), he is 16 now and has been here for 3 years.

it was tough at first but he fits in very well and has lots of friends.

school is still a bit of a problem but he is managing.

his english is excellent now but again it was a struggle at first.

good luck

[GU22]

My personal feeling is that a child, especially one so young, belongs with his mother.

My stepdaughter was 9 when she and her mother first came to England. She spoke no English at all. She was accepted by a local primary school, who were excellent and her classmates too. She had special English classes on a one to one basis, and now, at 15, talks English like any other English teenager (like wot ma friends do, innit?! ).

She has made lots of friends, and has settled in very well.

The younger a child is when they make the big move, the quicker and easier they will adapt.