Sanaz’s Journey: A Decade of Isolation and Unmet Connections in Sweden

Sanaz, a 26-year-old Iranian woman, symbolizes the ongoing struggle for social integration among refugees in Sweden. Having fled Iran at the age of 16 during the 2015 refugee crisis, which saw an influx of 160,000 asylum seekers, her story reveals both resilience and deep-rooted challenges in forming bonds with native Swedes. Despite living in Sweden for a decade, she has not made any Swedish female friends, highlighting a significant aspect of refugee life – isolation.

Sanaz describes her initial arrival in Sweden as incredibly difficult. Facing language barriers and the absence of a supportive network, she battled depression for nearly two years. Initially placed in a foster home in Uppsala, she struggled to connect and eventually transitioned to a youth home in Huddinge, where she gained support from other young refugees and staff who understood her situation. Her mother, a former seamstress who fled Afghanistan, played a crucial role in her education and emotional support.

Currently, Sanaz studies international economics at university and is married, with aspirations to open a book café inspired by a beloved street in Tehran. While she expresses gratitude for the assistance received from her social workers and teachers, she continues to grapple with feelings of cultural dislocation, feeling she is a mix of Swedish, Afghan, and Iranian identity. Despite her accomplishments, Sanaz’s friendships remain primarily with individuals from similar immigrant backgrounds, underscoring the ongoing challenges many refugees face in building friendships with the native population. Her journey reflects both the struggles of refugee integration and the complex interplay of cultural identity, illustrating that even within success, the feeling of isolation persists; a sobering reality for newcomers in Sweden.