Personal networks and the politics of belonging: Refugee integration in Thessaloniki Greece

Refugees use social networks to navigate the institutions of immigration. Social networks also serve as support structures as refugees claim their identity and establish a sense of belonging. This paper examines the influence of personal social networks on the integration experiences of 16 asylum-seekers in Thessaloniki, Greece. Case studies of three recent asylum-seekers convey how the dynamics of personal social networks differentially influence the experiences of integration. The visualizations of their personal social network, the 45 individuals they engage with routinely, reveal the structure and composition of their social lives. Across the study sample, refugees with more Greek contacts were better able to navigate the economic and legal landscape. However, more engagement with host nationals did not necessarily improve feelings of belonging. Migration policies and programming should consider how to use social networks, both existing and new, to improve migrant integration outcomes.

Automated summary

This paper examines the influence of personal social networks on the integration experiences of 16 asylum-seekers in Thessaloniki, Greece. Case studies of three recent asylum-seekers show how the dynamics of personal social networks differentially influence integration experiences. Refugees with more Greek contacts were better able to navigate the economic and legal landscape, but increased engagement with host nationals did not necessarily improve feelings of belonging. Migration policies and programs should consider how to use social networks, both existing and new, to improve migrant integration outcomes.