Unaccompanied Minor Asylum Seekers in Norway : Educational Needs and Adapted Education

This manuscript is about the Unaccompanied Minors Asylum Seekers (UMAS) living in the Norwegian Refugees Reception Centers (RRCs) waiting for the outcome of their asylum applications to either stay in Norway or leave Norway. Using the Norwegian model of adapted education, the study investigates the barriers and challenges the UMAS encountered during their stay in the RRC. Special attention was paid to their struggle to survive in Norway, learn Norwegian language and culture, their efforts to associate with Norwegian youth especially within the school arena and in the community, and their desire to leave the RRC to join the conventional Norwegian society. The study made used of personal narratives and explanatory accounts of nine UMAS, two social workers and four teachers who work directly with the UMAS and therefore features intensive personal interviews, participant observation and group discussions. In analyzing the findings,socialization and trauma theories coupled with adapted education were used and reappraised the findings in the context of a new model of adapted education.