Defense Date

11-20-2013

Graduation Date

2013

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MA

Department

Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Daniel Lieberfeld

Committee Member

Jennie L Schulze

Keywords

Bhutanese, Integration, Pittsburgh, Refugee, Resettlement

Abstract

This thesis seeks to understand the extent to which prevailing conceptual frameworks can explain the experience of integration for refugees. It also seeks to incorporate the perspectives of refugees and resettlement professionals, as well as provide recommendations for policy and further research. I pursue these objectives with guidance from the Indicators of Integration Framework (Ager and Strang, 2004), a model that incorporates key dimensions of integration, and through interviews with Bhutanese refugees and resettlement professionals. Results characterize integration as a largely social phenomenon, although self-sufficiency and basic functional considerations emerge as major priorities for refugees. I also offer implications regarding the general use of conceptual frameworks in integration research, the priority and proximity of factors to the occurrence of integration, the significance of social connections, and local conditions that may support integration. In addition, I propose that interview information reflecting participants' experiences and perspectives merits consideration in its own right.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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