The aim of the thesis is to present the experiences of children who move to Slovenia during their primary school years and to examine how the move affects the main areas of a child's life, such as family, peers and school. The theoretical introduction provides an overview of past and present migrations in Slovenia and outlines their characteristics. The importance of the family, peers and school environment in the life of a child with a migration background is discussed; the mother tongue and the second language children learn in their host country are defined; and the prevailing stereotypes that lead to intolerance and discrimination in society are identified. The empirical part of the paper presents the experiences of ten children who moved to Slovenia during their primary school years. The sample included individuals who came to Slovenia no more than four years ago and no less than one year ago. The reasons for the move ranged from seeking a better future for the whole family, to family reunification, to domestic violence. During the time of the move, the main support came from the children's relatives and friends, while an important role was also played by teachers and school counsellors.
|