Experiencing forced migration: challenges of arriving after displacement from Ukraine

Abstract

The paper focuses on the experiences of displaced Ukrainians who arrived in Austria following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. We draw on the concept of ‘arrival’ as proposed by Ludger Pries, to delve into the multifaceted process of arrival that extends beyond mere physical relocation. By conducting group discussions and employing the documentary method, we reveal the challenges associated with ‘arriving’ at the individual, the interactive, and the institutional level. The findings show that the displaced persons’ conjunctive experiences are characterised by a pervasive sense of loss–of their everyday certainties, past lives, future prospects, social recognition, and established social positions. This study not only contributes to the understanding of displaced Ukrainians in Europe, but also enriches the emerging field of the sociology of loss within the context of forced migration, emphasising the importance of focusing on people’s experiences in addition to arrival societies’ responses.