Linking migration aspirations to integration prospects: The experience of Syrian refugees in Sweden

Abstract

In this article, we examine the shifting role of aspirations in migration and integration processes by focusing on the experiences of a group of Syrian refugees settling in Sweden. We demonstrate that aspirations and capabilities may be used to study the lives of refugees (and immigrants) before, during, and after migration and that through a sequential study of aspirations it is possible to determine how refugees come to envision possible life trajectories in destination countries. Understanding the relevance of refugees' aspirations and the effects that other actors have on these is important to recognize refugees' active role in shaping migration and integration dynamics.