ABSTRACT

Cultural adaptation is subtle and multifaceted, often placing individuals at the crossroads of homelessness and shelter, of exclusion and inclusion. The time spent socialising with other international peers is paramount to a sense of belonging to a wider community or ‘family,’ in Agnë’s words. Support from peers can buffer adaptation challenges by enhancing sojourner coping strategies and well-being. Adaptation to the host environment follows closely socialisation, language acquisition and socio-cultural adjustment processes. While adapting to a new cultural setting sojourners go through multiple transitions (linguistic, cultural, social, professional or other), relying primarily on the companionship support of their peer group. This chapter demonstrates that sojourner social relations and interactions with others are a key element of adaptation and integration in the local community. Spatial and cultural adjustment were discussed by interspersing social support theory and theories of sociology of space and, to some extent, urban anthropology.