THE INTEGRATION ISSUES OF SOMALI IMMIGRANTS IN SWEDEN: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this thesis is to examine the integration of the Somali immigrants in Sweden and to explore the factors that impede or help in the process. The study in particular aims at looking at how culture, identity and migration form immigrants’ integration experiences. It will further explore the communication barriers with, mainly; the government institutions from the perspective of Somalis and how removing these barriers could help improve the situation.The thesis also discusses the theories of transnationalism, cosmopolitanism, immigration, and integration in relation to communication for development and social behaviour change.Qualitative research methods have been selected to explore the experiences of the Somali immigrants integrate into the wider Swedish community through the use of semi-structured interviews. The Somali immigrants have good networks among themselves in Sweden, and with home country, however they do not manage to establish a good networking with the Swedish society. The outcome of this study implies that most immigrants feel that there are communication barriers in the way to a better integration. Through the use of qualitative research in semi-structured interviews with selected Somali immigrants from various backgrounds, the study shows that there are many issues that might help the community to integrate into Sweden and proposes some recommendations on how the situation could be improved