Perceived challenges living and integrating into Finnish society: A study among immigrants in Finland

Elvis Nshom (1) , Shomaila Sadaf (2) , Ilkhom Khalimzoda (3)
(1) Department of Communication, California State University, San Marcos, USA , United States
(2) Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland , United States
(3) Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland , Finland

Abstract

The number of immigrants living in Finland has significantly increased since the 1990s. It can be challenging to live and integrate into a new society. This study explores the challenges immigrants face living and integrating into Finnish society. Drawing on data collected from 103 immigrants living in Finland, this study shows that the challenges immigrants face integrating into Finnish society can be classified into four main categories: (1) language barrier, (2) discrimination in employment opportunities, (3) racism and inequality, and (4) fewer opportunities of integration. Implications and recommendations are briefly considered.

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Authors

Elvis Nshom
enshom@csusm.edu (Primary Contact)
Shomaila Sadaf
Ilkhom Khalimzoda
Author Biographies

Elvis Nshom, Department of Communication, California State University, San Marcos, USA

Elvis Nshom is an award-winning scholar and educator with research and training expertise in intergroup prejudice, cultural adjustment, conflict management, and mediation, with several years of work experience in Africa, Europe, Russia, and North America in both the academic and corporate sector. He currently works as an Assistant Professor of Communication with a focus on Peace and Conflict Studies in the Department of Communication, California State University San Marcos, USA.

Shomaila Sadaf, Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Shomaila Sadaf is a doctoral student of intercultural communication at the Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her research interests include communication patterns in online spaces. She is also interested in researching intergroup identity and othering in social and electronic media.

Ilkhom Khalimzoda, Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Ilkhom Khalimzoda is a doctoral researcher at the Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. His research focuses on migration, acculturation, and media. He is a member of the monitoring group for the Centre of Excellence in Integration, Finland. He is also a research associate at the European Centre for Populism Studies (ECPS) and a member of the board of directors at the Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration (ETMU).

Nshom, E., Sadaf, S., & Khalimzoda, I. (2022). Perceived challenges living and integrating into Finnish society: A study among immigrants in Finland. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 22(3), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v22i3.82

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