Interpersonal relationships of immigrant students

Abstract

This study explores the interpersonal relationships of immigrant students. This is a current topic because immigration to Finland has increased rapidly and student groups are more diverse than ever before. The aim is to study immigrant students’ experiences and expectations of their interpersonal relationships and how they develop and maintain them, and also to understand how interpersonal relationships affect the immigrant students’ adaptation to the new environment. This study is qualitative.

The theoretical part of the study is based on the theories related to interpersonal relationships, uncertainty management, and identity. The Stress-adaptation-growth dynamic process model of Kim (2001) is employed. The approach to this study is intercultural; the focus is on interaction between culturally different persons.

This study is conducted from the viewpoint of the immigrant students at a Finnish vocational upper secondary school. The case organization in this study is Jyväskylä College (JAO). The empirical data comprises seven theme interviews conducted to immigrant students aged between 18 and 28.

The results show that the network of close relationships of immigrant students consists of family and friends that represent mainly other nationalities than Finns. Close relationships with Finns were rarely created. According to the interviewees’ interpretation, this was mainly due to cultural differences and language barriers. The majority of the respondents made new friends in language courses and hobbies. As opposed to the earlier findings, immigrant students do not perceive the weak ties, such as teachers and classmates, to be very important.