Cultural adaptation process of immigrants from the perspective of multiculturalist social work: The example of Trabzon province

In this research, the problems experienced by foreign immigrants living in Trabzon province in the cultural adaptation process after migration and the methods of coping with these problems are discussed from the perspective of multicultural social work. The study group of the research consists of 18 immigrants (11 men, 7 women) living in Trabzon. Data in the study were collected using the in-depth interview method of the qualitative research model. The findings of the research were obtained through descriptive analysis of the collected data. In this study, it was determined that the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants had an impact on cultural adaptation. However, it is seen that the sense of belonging that immigrants develop towards the dominant society and their awareness of the similarities of the culture of the dominant society reveal the acculturation experiences of immigrants in the direction of integration with the dominant society. The main problem that affects the cultural adaptation process of immigrant individuals is "uncertainty". From the data obtained as a result of the research, it is seen that immigrants encounter exclusionary and marginalizing attitudes due to their differences. The fact that immigrant individuals are pushed out of the dominant society due to their different cultures reveals the importance of multiculturalist social work. It has been concluded that studies that embrace the multiculturalist approach of social work towards immigrants and the creation of social work on the basis of knowledge, skills and values are very important for cultural adaptation and social integration. Studies to be carried out for immigrants from a multiculturalist social service perspective will be effective in solving existing problems, but will also be protective and preventive against many problems that will arise from incompatibility-exclusion and failure to adapt to society and integration. Keywords: Multiculturalist social work, Immigrant, Cultural adaptation.