Integration Challenges Faced by Adult Refugees in Norway

Abstract

The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive examination of challenges that adult refugees with tertiary education face through the integration process in Norway and to explore 21st-century skills that were mentioned by interviewed adult refugees to overcome these challenges. Moreover, this research analyses the initiative called Creadult which is a social project implemented by an NGO in Norway to address 21st-century skills among adult refugees, to explore if this project meets the needs of adult refugees. Nine adult refugee participants were interviewed in semi-structured in-depth interviews, and the conducted interviews were analyzed by using coding and thematic analysis. The data findings highlight that unemployment, recognition of educational credentials, lack of social networks, and language barriers are widespread problems among adult refugees with higher education. It was also found that acquiring certain skills may positively influence the integration process of adult refugees. These skills are in line with 21st-century skills. Finally, the theory of capital of Bourdieu was applied to deepen the understanding of this topic.