Abstract

Previous research studies the notion of community, the refugee experience, and forms of support systems separately; however, few look at these elements comprehensively. This study focuses on understanding sense of community (SOC) among refugees in the U.S., investigating how they develop and expresses community and how external support systems facilitate community. Analysis of Bourdieu’s theory of capital, Durkheim’s concept of solidarity, Simmel’s insights on social relations, and Oldenburg’s theory of place invokes a framework for the design and implementation of this research. From nine interviews with refugee adults living in a town in the southeastern United States, themes emerge surrounding patterns of community formation and the facilitating role of organized and informal support systems. Findings reveal that sense of community develops through shared language and culture and strengthens through mutual aid and support. While organized support systems can provide resources and space for community to form, informal networks, such as those between neighbors or other refugees, truly construct and sustain the sense of belonging and community that resonates most deeply with the emotional, economic, and social needs of the participants. This work offers valuable insights into the defining principles of community from the perspective of refugees, providing guidance for resettlement policies, community initiatives, and refugee support agencies in helping support respectful and collaborative communities of belonging.

Advisor

Fitz-Gibbon, Heather

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Migration Studies | Place and Environment | Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Sociology

Keywords

refugee(s), community, displacement, non-profits

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Katherine Shue