Restart: Psychic suffering in forced immigration and the inclusion policy in Brazilian universities

Abstract

Involuntary immigration implies disruption of life projects. The main possibilities for integration in the host country involve work and education. This article aims to analyze the psychological impacts of immigration on Haitian, Venezuelan and Syrian immigrants whose academic life projects began to be glimpsed in Brazil. Therefore, ten immigrants participated in this study. An intercultural sociodemographic form and a semi-structured interview were used, which were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Psychological impacts of involuntary immigration were associated with experiences of discrimination and ruptures in life projects and with the culture of origin. In addition, frustrations arising from educational disruption, revalidation of diplomas and university inclusion were evidenced. However, the feeling of hope and the possibility of starting over through education were highlighted, reinforcing the importance of creating and maintaining policies for the inclusion of involuntary immigrants in Brazilian universities.