Associativismo em contexto migratório : redes de solidariedade étnicas de estudantes africanos no Brasil

Abstract

This study aims to understand international migrations, focusing on student immigration and the role of migratory networks in the reception process in the host country, specifically, the networks of African associations at the University of International Integration of AfroBrazilian Lusophony (UNILAB). The research analyzed three of these associations: the Angolan Students Association at UNILAB (AEAU), the Cape Verdean Students Association at UNILAB (AECVU), and the Guinean Students Association at UNILAB (AEGU). With an emphasis on qualitative research, we employed literature reviews and the virtual ethnographic method, conducting observations on the associations' pages on social media, especially on Facebook, which also served as the location for conducting interviews. The study's general objective was to analyze how African student associations strengthen ethnic relations and deal with challenges within and outside the university. The specific objectives consist of: Describing the main objectives and difficulties of student associations; Analyzing conflicts, collective interests, and defensive strategies in immigrant relationship networks; Investigating whether associative practices reflect immigrant habitus, the constitution of social capital, and mobility capital. The results reveal that African associations at UNILAB function as ethnic solidarity networks, actively involved in defending students' cultural interests and combating isolation and social constraints.