Höfundur: Magdalena Maria Urbanek

Leiðbeinandi: Adam Janus Switala
Sérfræðingur: Eva Harðardóttir

Ágrip/Efni: 

This research project aims to investigate the perspectives of Polish immigrant children living in the Reykjavik capital area who participated in a music class program in the Polish language on their experience of migration. There are many studies devoted to adult Polish immigrants in Iceland, however, little attention has been given to Polish immigrant children living in Iceland. This was a qualitative study. The main research method was semi-structured interviews with participants selected through purposive sampling. The collected interview data was subject to reflexive Thematic Analysis. The main research goal was to obtain in-depth narratives of the participating children regarding their experience of migration through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted among the children who took part in music classes held at the Janusz Korczak Polish School and, in some cases, in the children’s homes.  This study indicates that the interviewed Polish children are well integrated with their Icelandic and immigrant peers. They described their environment as multicultural and multilingual. The results show that music and sport play a significant role in their lives through. Stimulating the development of new skills, passions, and creativity. Most importantly, music supported the children in connecting with peers and building friendships. Based on the reports of the participating children, stronger support from schools is needed with regard to such aspects of their experience, as opportunities to share elements of their heritage culture with others and overcoming communication barriers.