LGBTQIA+ university Students with Immigrant Background and Their Experience of Inclusion

The primary objective of this chapter is to understand how double minority students—LGBTQIA+ and immigrants, perceive and experience inclusion at the University of Oslo. This chapter describes and analyzes qualitative data from experiences of two university students. Data collection was carried out through a comprehensive interview and walkalong method. Considering the integrative nature of the inclusion phenomenon, psychological and sociological aspect, the systematization of the data was made from interdisciplinary concepts: inclusion, borders and Habitus, emphasis on how the expressiveness of social life shapes personal experience and the construction of a sense of identity. The results indicate that as a double minority, the students adopt new behaviors and use social strategies to mitigate the feeling of “us and them”. It was found that identifying as an immigrant imposes more symbolic borders than identifying as a LGBTQIA+ member. The study is expected to promote discussion on how universities can create more inclusive and cultural diversity practices, fostering a sense of belonging among double minorities.