Enhancing Social Life Integration of Young Nigerian Immigrants in the Finnish Society

Abstract

Social integration is a key aspect of immigration impacting how migrants adapt and contribute to their host communities. In Finland, organized immigration initiatives include language and employment support. However, social interaction is still a problem because immigrants often face challenges in trying to establish deep connections with their communities. Previous research shows that regular and controlled social contacts with locals in the country can greatly improve integration experiences by promoting language proficiency and cultural understanding. This study considers programs that can promote social cohesiveness and deep connections between locals and immigrants.

The objective of this thesis is to explore insights to understand the cross-cultural differences between Nigeria and Finland’s social life interaction and to contribute to integration services by recommending design implications to improve young Nigerian migrants social integration experiences in Finland. The research identified social distance, cultural adaptability, and language competency as the main obstacles to social integration emphasizing the role of organized support networks that enable genuine communication between newcomers and the community. The design considerations indicate that the effectiveness of integration programs can be greatly increased by promoting inclusive environments and utilizing digital platforms.