“Why would I not be called for an interview?” Love Migrants Economic Integration in Sweden Experiences of highly educated immigrants while searching for employment in Sweden

Abstract: In this thesis the economic integration of highly educated love migrants in Sweden is investigated, focusing on the experiences of unemployed love migrants while search of employment and examines the factors that influence their economic integration in Sweden. This study is based on human capital theory, social capital theory, discrimination theory, and economic integration theory. The thesis is based on the qualitative research design, for this research, individual interviews with five participants have been conducted and interviewees stories have been analyzed. The findings reveal that human capital acquired in the country of origin could create transferability problems in Sweden. Additionally, discrimination and prejudicial treatment from the employers disadvantage immigrants’ position in the labor market. However, the human capital gain in the form of language skills and education facilitates and enhances economic integration. The study also looks at social and human capital interdependence - human capital gain can facilitate social contacts and network creation, and a social network can accelerate human capital value and overcome the discrimination factor, thus overcoming obstacles for gaining entrance to the labour market.