Finding meaningful occupation in refugees' resettlement: A study of amateur choir singing in Norway

Abstract

ABSTRACTRefugee populations are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and have reduced social networks. In the present study we explored whether, how, and why participation in choir singing, as an example of an everyday occupation, could be of significance for refugees in their transition to a new daily life in a Norwegian municipality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants with refugee backgrounds recruited from a multicultural amateur choir. Our findings show that refugees experienced challenges in meeting with ‘the state’ of Norway, and that while they were grateful for the country’s social welfare system, they nonetheless struggled to find their place in society. Staying occupied and meeting with people were found to be two key strategies to develop a sense of belonging. The choir was found to provide a form of collective occupation where they felt included not only with members of their own ethnic groups, but importantly, also with members of the host community. Their choir participation was thus a part of their experience of searching for identity within their new context. In having to ‘start from zero’, the choir provided a space to share their skills, and to develop new ones.