ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to address integrational processes experienced by some African immigrants with refugee backgrounds and five to ten years of residence in Norway. We collected data through semi-structured interviews on issues relating to immigration and the integration experiences of eight families. Participants’ reflections on the issues highlighted in the interviews made visible their challenges and opportunities upon arrival and during their first years in Norway. We use the concept of situated learning to discuss how their narratives describe movements from initial peripheral sociocultural positions towards fuller participation in different domains of society. The results show that across various domains, interactions at the personal level between individuals in the immigrant and majority population increased participation and cultural awareness.