Navigating Cultures: Narratives of Becoming Among Young Refugees in Norway

Abstract

This PhD is a psychological study that explores the lives and experiences of young people growing up crossing cultural categories. I met them through the musical project Kaleidoscope, which is an important context that I describe and analyze. However, this is not an evaluation or a study of Kaleidoscope per se, but an exploration of participants' life worlds and the psychological processes unfolding in participatory and creative communities. The research project has been a collaboration between my main employer Ansgar University College (Departments of Psychology and Intercultural Studies) and the Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ABUP) at Sørlandet Hospital in Kristiansand, while I followed the PhD program in psychology at the University of Oslo. I have had great support along the way, but stand solely responsible for any faults in this work. For clarification; I changed my last name from Schuff to Seip in 2019, between the first and last publications in this project. This means that when I refer to my own work, I will sometimes refer to Schuff (e.g. 2016, 2018, and earlier work) and sometimes to Seip (2020). New name, new stage in lifethe same developing person, still becoming and learning. Acknowledgements I am grateful to everyone who made this learning process possible, and a long road less lonely. First, to all the children and young people I have met in Kaleidoscopethank you! You moved me. Some of you I have met up close, others as part of the community-I have seen you dance, hug and cry, and heard you sing, complain and giggle. I have witnessed you straightening your backs, bravely facing an audience. I have found myself excited and nervous and relieved with you, and often singing and dancing along. Your courage and appetite for life are an inspiration. I hope you dance! I am grateful to all the Kaleidoscope leaders and assistants who have welcomed me, answered questions and made it possible for me to join them during different stages of my research. Thank you, and all the best of luck in co-creating the citizens of tomorrow. To my colleagues at Ansgar University College and all of Ansgarskolenthank you! You are not only colleagues, but also a vital everyday community. I am grateful to librarian and dear friend Birgit Myrene, for all that you are. I want to thank the two main ingroups (departments) that have supported, inspired and sharpened my thinking and passion-Lars Mandelkow, Beate Helmikstøl, Helge Slotten and Linda Fisher-Høyrem (until recently) in the psychology department, and Ingrid Eskilt, Torstein Try and Anne May Abrahamsen in vii intercultural studies. I am grateful to the leaders who have had faith in me and given me the opportunity to pursue this project; former principal Harald Nygaard, current principal Ingunn Folkestad Breistein, and research leader Marie Strand Skånland. Priceless support has also come from the academic gentlemen Reidar Salvesen, Cato Gulaker, Thorkild Bruhn and Øyvind Skjegstad, who make things work. Thanks also go to Martin Jakobsen for the humor and ...