Adjusting, struggling, proving and feeling at home: Narratives of Afghan refugees in the Netherlands
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2022-06-29
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en
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Abstract
Refugees bring their own cultural values, norms, and ideas upon arrival in a new host country. While some perceive great distance between their own culture and that of the host country, others perceive this distance to be smaller. Understanding how first-generation Afghan refugees perceive cultural distance and how this is reflected in their economic integration in the Netherlands is the aim of this study. A qualitative approach was opted for, and narrative analysis was used to provide an understanding of the experiences of the Afghan refugees. Interviews were held with first-generation Afghan refugees who fled in the time period of 1980 until 2000. The narratives reflect mixed experiences of perceived cultural distance in relation to integrating economically into society. Findings showed that Afghan refugees had strong cultural values regarding obtaining a good education and finding a prestigious job. Furthermore, most felt that due to cultural differences, they had to work harder in life. This study provides suggestions for individuals, organizations and HR departments, and society about how refugees feel disadvantaged regarding their employment due to cultural differences.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen