The preceding discussion shows that the adaptive experience of refugees in the new environment is influenced, positively or negatively, by a large number of factors. Generally speaking, young and better educated refugee men, with English language proficiency and well developed occupational skills, tend to integrate more readily into the host community. The recognition of the refugees’ foreign credentials is often cited as an important facilitator of integration. Where foreign credentials are not recognized, or where refugees are chronically underemployed or unemployed, refugee integration into the host community is correspondingly impeded.
At a more general level, the presence of facilitative institutions and government support tend to have a salutary effect on the integration of refugees. Studies in Canada and elsewhere show that the integration of refugees (and, more generally, immigrants) is facilitated by the availability of culturally sensitive (i.e., multicultural) services, and by sufficient provision of English language instruction. Finally, many studies acknowledge the positive contribution of ethnic enclaves to refugee integration in the new environment.