dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study was to uncover the ways in which US- American immigrants to Norway experience
the integration and immigration process, particularly in the domain of employment. I collected stories from
informants in the form of nine semi-structured interviews which took place in the fall of 2018. Using
narrative analysis, I evaluated the ways in which these individuals represented their experiences. The
informants, who came to Norway without the security of employment, described their experiences obtaining
work and participating in the Norwegian labor market, as well as their overall experience integrating into
Norwegian society. Findings show the important role of employment for the integration of the informants
and aligned with previously determined “effectors” for integration including language skills, social
connections, as well as societal structures and the role of discrimination. I document a linkage between
self-confidence and social status, language skills, and employment/ economic status. Furthermore, this
research addresses the ways in which informants connect their immigration experience to a shift in their
values and identity. | en |