"I'll Always Be a Refugee": The Lived Experience of Palestinian Refugee Women of Moving to a Small Society in Iceland. Issue 3 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kristjánsdóttir, Erla S.; Skaptadóttir, Unnur Dís
• Is Part Of: Journal of immigrant & refugee studies. Volume 17:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 404
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Integration -- culture -- language -- women -- refugees; Immigrants -- United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Refugees -- United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Social work with immigrants -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.8753097305
• DOI: 10.1080/15562948.2018.1499065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-2948

Abstract

Abstract: This study focuses on a group of refugee women from the Middle East who were forced to leave their homes, live in a refugee camp, and move to a small town in Iceland. Interviews were conducted to explore their experiences of resettlement in their new home. Five themes emerged: receptivity of the community, "Islamic way of life, " gender roles, lack of social ties, and language barrier. The women found security in the community and established close ties with other refugee women. However, the women felt lonely and isolated due to limited interaction with locals, which exacerbated their ability to integrate.