Finding Home in Nature: Nature's Role in Immigrant Weelbeing

Sammanfattning: It has been observed in the past few years that a large number of migrants have arrived in Europe. The number of international students who come to Sweden each year is one of the most overlooked groups of immigrants. The immigrant students are experiencing difficulties in their health and wellbeing due to new country settlement challenges.Therefore, this study examines the relationship between immigrant students and their natural environments, focusing in particular on their wellbeing. In order to achieve this objective, a qualitative study of 11 semi structured interviews are conducted on two south Asian groups of immigrants studying in Gothenburg, Sweden.This study investigates how immigrant students cope with challenges in the host country by utilizing natural places. It also investigates how they can improve their psychological and emotional wellbeing by interacting with nature using biophilia and attention restoration theories.There are three primary domains in which immigrant students can establish meaningful relationships with nature and enhance their holistic wellbeing, according to the findings of this study. First, they can embrace nature by spending time in natural places every day. Second, they can participate in nature-based recreation that strengthens their connection with nature, helps them get ready for the challenges of living in a new country, and makes them feel healthy overall. Third, the bond they build with nature through daily interactions and outdoor recreation can improve their psychological and emotional wellbeing.