This research focuses on Colombian refugees and their resettlement and integration stories in New Zealand. According to New Zealand Immigration, Colombian refugees have been arriving in the country since 2007. By the end of July 2016, New Zealand had 809 Colombian refugees resettled from Ecuador where they were recognised as urban refugees by the Ecuadorian government. An urban refugee is a refugee who lives in an urban area rather than in a refugee camp.
It is important to note that in Ecuador there are no refugee camps. Therefore, all refugees in Ecuador are considered as urban refugees. Thousands of Colombians have fled from Colombia to Ecuador because of the armed conflict that the country has faced for almost six decades. Once recognised as refugees in Ecuador, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees makes the recommendation or referral of some refugees to the New Zealand government, for them to be resettled in New Zealand.
This research collected the experiences of 13 Colombian refugees in their process of resettlement and integration in New Zealand. The study used a qualitative methodological approach of an oral history methodology (ethnographic- a collection of oral stories). As data collection methods, I have used oral history interviews, a focus group and participants' personal diaries.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Research
1.2.1 Main Objective:
1.2.2 Aims or secondary objectives:
1.3 Research Question
1.3.1 Sub-questions
1.4 Definition of Concepts
1.4.1 Refugee
1.4.2 Resettlement
1.4.3 Integration
1.4.4 Resignation
1.4.5 Reconciliation
1.5 Thesis outline
CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND CONTEXT
2.1 The Causes that force Colombian people to leave their homes
2.2 Arrival in Ecuador and preparation to travel to New Zealand
2.3 Arrival in New Zealand
CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Preparation of refugees for resettlement in New Zealand
3.3 Challenges faced by refugees when resettling in New Zealand
3.3.1 Discrimination
3.3.2 Mental health issues
3.3.3 The lack of English
3.3.4 Unemployment
3.4 The importance of reconciliation during the integration process
3.5 Resignation: a necessary quality for integrating into New Zealand society
3.6 Conclusion
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Methodology
4.3 Methods of data collection
4.4 Oral history interviews
4.5 Focus groups
4.6 Diaries/Journals
4.7 Sampling and Recruitment
4.7.1 Additional information about transcriptions and translations
4.8 Procedures of qualitative data analysis
4.8.1 Stage one: Transcribing and sorting data
4.8.2 Stage two: Coding data
4.8.3 Stage three: Integrating information and looking for meaning
4.8.4 Stage four: Interpreting data
4.8.5 Stage five: Drawing conclusions
4.9 Trustworthiness and Credibility
4.9.1 Adoption of appropriate, well-recognised research methods
4.9.2 Triangulation
4.9.3 Tactics to help ensure honesty from informants when contributing data
4.9.4 Examination of previous research findings
4.10 Ethical Considerations
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS
5.1 Introduction
5. 2 The participants, their profiles and stories
5.2.1 Henry
5.2.2 Sara
5.2.3 Rebeca
5.2.4 Magdalena
5.2.5 Alekos
5.2.6 Mateo
5.2.7 Arturo
5.2.8 Teresa
5.2.9 Ramona
5.2.10 Claudia
5.2.11 Marta
5.2.12 Mariana
5.2.13 Laura
5.3 The emergent themes
5.4 Theme 1: Living in Colombia
5.4.1 Sub-theme 1a: Life in Colombia before becoming a victim of the armed conflict
5.4.2 Sub-theme 1b: Living conditions before escaping from Colombia
5.5 Theme 2: Living in Ecuador
5.5.1 Sub-theme 2a: Arriving in Ecuador
5.5.2 Sub-theme 2b: Living conditions in Ecuador
5.5.3 Sub-theme 2c: The asylum process in Ecuador
5.5.4 Sub-theme 2d: The process of re-settling in New Zealand
5.5.5 Sub-theme 2e: Previous preparation to come to New Zealand
5.6 Theme 3: Resettlement in New Zealand
5.6.1 Sub-theme 3a: The first six weeks in New Zealand
5.6.2 Sub-theme 3b: Preparation in the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre
5.6.3 Sub-theme 3c: Settlement into the community
5.6.4 Sub-theme 3d: Relationships with others in the community
5.6.5 Sub-theme 3e: Living conditions in the community
5.7 Theme 4: Integration process into New Zealand society
5.7.1 Sub-theme 4a: The challenges of integration
5.7.2 Sub-theme 4b: Feelings about New Zealand
5.7.3 Sub-theme 4c: Reconciliation and resignation
5.7.4 Sub-theme 4d: Identity
5.7.5 Sub-theme 4e: Resilience
5.8 Theme 5: Appropriate support for refugees
5.8.1 Sub-theme 5a: Support in the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre
5.8.2 Sub-theme 5b: Support by WINZ
5.8.3 Sub-theme 5c: Support by Housing New Zealand Corporation
5.8.4 Sub-theme 5d: Support for employment
5.8.5 Sub-theme 5e: Support for education
5.9 Theme 6: The refugee term
5.9.1 Sub-theme 6a: Wrong use of the refugee term
5.9.2 Sub-theme 6b: Discrimination associated with the refugee term
5.10 Conclusion
CHAPTER SIX: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Theme 1: Living in Colombia
6.3 Theme 2: Living in Ecuador
6.4 Theme 3: Resettlement in New Zealand
6.5 Theme 4: Integration process into New Zealand society
6.6 Theme 5: Appropriate support to refugees
6.7 Theme 6: The refugee term
6.8 Conclusion
CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSION
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Answering the research questions
7.2.1 Sub-question 1: How were Colombian refugees prepared for resettlement in New Zealand?
7.2.2 Sub-question 2: What are the challenges faced by Colombian refugees when resettling in New Zealand?
7.2.3 Sub-question 3: What role does reconciliation play in the process of integration in New Zealand?
7.2.4 Sub-question 4: How do Colombian refugees resign or reconcile themselves to integrate into New Zealand in order to rebuild their lives and survive?
7.2.5 Research Question: What is the experience of Colombian Refugees resettlement in New Zealand?
7.3 Study Limitations
7.4 Recommendation for future research
Research Goals and Thematic Focus
This thesis aims to investigate the resettlement and integration experiences of Colombian refugees in New Zealand, addressing a significant gap in academic literature. The study focuses on the challenges these individuals face and identifies strategies for improving their integration process.
- Causes of forced displacement from Colombia.
- The resettlement experience in Ecuador and subsequent transition to New Zealand.
- Challenges faced by refugees in New Zealand, including language barriers, employment, and social isolation.
- The role of resilience, reconciliation, and resignation in successful integration.
- Evaluation of government and organizational support systems for refugees.
Book Excerpt
1.4.4 Resignation
Resignation means accepting with submission to something inescapable (Resignation, 2011). When a refugee is resettled into a third country he/she might experience the symptoms of culture shock such as stress, sadness, loneliness, homesickness, idealising the home culture, irritability, resentment, family conflicts, loss of identity, feelings of inadequacy and insecurity and negative self-image (Foley, 2012). According to Pedersen (1995), there are five stages of culture shock, which are: the honeymoon stage, the disintegration stage, the reintegration stage, the autonomy stage and the interdependence stage (Pedersen, 1995). In the last stage of culture shock, refugees accept their new life in the new country. It could be said that in this way, the refugees resign themselves to rebuilding their lives in the resettlement country.
My own experience as a former Colombian refugee resettled in New Zealand from Ecuador has taught me that resignation and reconciliation are the keys to successful integration. I lived in Ecuador for 14 months as an urban refugee and never adapted and integrated into the Ecuadorian culture. The Ecuadorian and Colombian cultures are similar and share the same Spanish language, but even so, I did not achieve integration in that country; instead, I kept comparing Ecuador with Colombia in a negative way. The attitude I adopted made me realise just the adverse aspects of Ecuador; for that reason, I used to feel a lot of resentment and rage at the bad things that I saw and experienced in Ecuador. I simply felt disappointment in that country. I rejected Ecuadorian culture from the bottom of my heart, which prevented me from integrating. On the other hand, if I had reconciled myself to Ecuadorian culture, I could have accepted Ecuador as my new home and perhaps I would have resigned myself to rebuilding my life in that country. Similarly, when I came to New Zealand I had to wait three years to be reconciled with the new culture and resign myself to rebuilding my life in this country. In some moments I still feel like going back to my country, but having accepted New Zealand as my new home allows me to continue rebuilding my life.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: OVERVIEW: Introduces the research, stating the purpose, significance, research question, and operational definitions.
CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Explains the historical and social factors in Colombia that led to the flight of refugees, their experiences in Ecuador, and their eventual resettlement in New Zealand.
CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines existing academic studies and government reports regarding refugee resettlement, specifically focusing on challenges like discrimination, mental health, and employment, alongside the roles of reconciliation and resignation.
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Details the qualitative, ethnographic oral history methodology, including data collection techniques, participant recruitment, and the ethical considerations involved in the study.
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS: Presents the profiles and stories of the 13 participants, organized into six themes covering their lives in Colombia, Ecuador, and New Zealand, as well as their integration processes and support experiences.
CHAPTER SIX: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION: Synthesizes the empirical findings with the literature review, critically analyzing the participants' stories in the context of their integration, support, and the terminology used for their status.
CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSION: Provides the final answers to the primary research question and sub-questions, discusses study limitations, and offers recommendations for future research.
Keywords
Colombian Refugees, resettlement, integration, resettlement challenges, discrimination, resignation, reconciliation, exiles, oral history, ethnography, mental health, unemployment, New Zealand, adaptation, cultural identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
This thesis primarily explores the stories and experiences of Colombian refugees during their resettlement and integration into New Zealand society.
What are the central themes discussed in the research?
The research discusses themes such as life in Colombia before and during the armed conflict, the experiences of refugees in Ecuador, the resettlement process in New Zealand, the integration process, appropriate support systems, and the implications of the term "refugee."
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary aim is to explore the challenges that affect the successful integration of Colombian refugees in New Zealand and identify ways to improve their integration experience.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The study employed a qualitative, ethnographic approach utilizing oral history interviews, a focus group, and personal diaries to document the participants' stories in a chronological order.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the background of the conflict in Colombia, a review of international literature, the design of the research, the collection and analysis of participant narratives, and a discussion of these findings in relation to existing research.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Colombian refugees, resettlement, integration, discrimination, resignation, reconciliation, mental health, and cultural identity.
How do Colombian refugees perceive the term "refugee"?
The study finds that many participants perceive the term as discriminatory and stigmatizing, often associated with low social, economic, or professional status, and many prefer to be identified by other terms like "exiled."
What is the significance of the role of WINZ and other support agencies?
Participants report that while support from agencies like WINZ provides essential survival resources, the rigid administrative processes and pressure to find employment create significant stress, often hindering rather than helping the integration process.
- Citation du texte
- Alfredo Lopez (Auteur), 2018, Colombian refugees in New Zealand and their resettlement stories, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470263
