Drammen experiences diverse perspectives on racism and integration from local immigrants

Mustafa Senjar, a 22-year-old education major, reflects on his experiences with racism in Drammen, Norway, a city where about 30% of the population is of immigrant origin. Despite being Norwegian on paper, he feels that he is not treated as such due to his Kurdish heritage. Mustafa recalls instances of discrimination, particularly during his teenage years and military service, saying, “I’m not one to argue with the elderly, as we are taught to respect them.” He believes that many immigrants do not feel included in the majority society, especially when faced with exclusionary attitudes.

Sophia Akhrimenko, 19, shared her experiences after moving from Russia. Initially, she faced curiosity about her last name and often received questions like, “Are you Putin’s daughter?” Since the Ukrainian war began, she has noticed a shift in people’s behavior toward Russians and has received uncomfortable questions about the conflict. She expresses that while self-defense might be necessary, changing people’s opinions is challenging.

Yolanda Bunjagarano, who emigrated from Colombia, feels that the biggest challenge was adapting to the Norwegian work culture. After moving to Drammen, she made local friends and believes that Norwegian employers should be more open to hiring foreigners.

Similarly, Anthony Magallanes, 26, mentions that while he hasn’t experienced blatant racism, he opts for a Norwegian surname when applying for jobs to avoid discrimination. He emphasizes that having more spaces for youth to gather could reduce feelings of alienation.

In contrast, Ahmed Ebit, 22, feels welcomed in Drammen, stating that being open-minded helps in integration. He has made friends from various backgrounds and enjoys his experience in Norway.

Daisy Albakova, a 20-year-old economics student, confronts stereotypes as a hijab-wearing woman and stresses the importance of cultural understanding between generations to mitigate intolerance.