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The study explores the integration challenges of African refugees who fled the war in Ukraine and sought asylum in Germany amid the global refugee crisis. The research delves into language barriers, discriminatory encounters, administrative hurdles, and professional development complexities within the broader context of the war-induced displacement of individuals with a third-state status. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with five African refugees aged 23–27 in Germany. Analysing the data through qualitative content analysis, four main categories emerged: integration challenges, physical and mental health, quality of life, and factors influencing well-being. The findings highlight multifaceted integration challenges, encompassing language barriers, discrimination, administrative complexities, and professional development difficulties. Participants reported stress from simultaneous language learning and employment, social isolation, and fear of returning home. Although physical health was generally rated as good, mental health challenges arose, linked to the dual burden of integration and professional advancement. Unsatisfactory quality of life stemmed from unmet basic needs, including employment, housing, and travel to visit family. Despite significant challenges, participants displayed resilience and optimism. The study emphasises the need for targeted interventions and support systems tailored to the unique struggles of African refugees from the Ukrainian war in Germany. Policymakers, refugee-support organisations, and community-based groups can use these findings to develop programs enhancing integration and well-being for this population.
At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people were displaced globally, marking a new record for the global number of refugees. Reasons for displacement include armed conflicts, persecution, violence, and human rights violations. Among the 108.4 million refugees globally, 52% fled from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine (
During their journey to their destination countries, refugees may experience traumatising situations, and even upon reaching their destination country, many individuals still suffer from the consequences of war and displacement experiences (
The reception of Ukrainian refugees in Germany has been characterised by a discernibly favourable disposition, reflective of the principled adherence to humanitarian tenets. Under §24 of the Residence Act, individuals with Ukrainian nationality are allowed to undergo a formal application process for a temporally delimited yet substantial residence permit (
However, not all people displaced from Ukraine were treated equally. A sharp divide emerged between Ukrainian citizens and individuals with so-called third-state status—individuals who lived in Ukraine on temporary or permanent permits before the war, such as African international students or migrant workers. Unlike Ukrainian nationals, most individuals with so-called third-state status were not automatically covered by §24 of the Residence Act in Germany. Unless they could demonstrate that returning to their country of origin was unsafe or that their safety could not be guaranteed, they were only allowed to stay in Germany for 90 days (
Before Russia’s invasion, Ukraine was a preferred destination for African students seeking advanced education. These international students were drawn to the perceived academic excellence of Ukrainian institutions, coupled with comparatively lower tuition and living expenses in contrast to Western Europe and North America (
The peculiarity of African migrants can be attributed to their distinct experiences, marked by discrimination and the unique challenges associated with fleeing the war in Ukraine. These factors may contribute to diverse challenges that could impact their integration process. The intersection of discrimination and the singular ordeal of escaping the conflict in Ukraine creates a nuanced dynamic that necessitates careful consideration in understanding the multifaceted experiences of African migrants in their journey and settlement process.
The primary objective of the present study is to delve into the challenges encountered by African refugees who have fled the war in Ukraine, with a specific focus on their experiences related to integration and the resulting health outcomes. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique obstacles faced by this population, shedding light on the intricate dynamics that influence their integration processes and, consequently, the impact on their overall health and well-being. Through a qualitative exploration of these dimensions, the study aims to contribute valuable insights to the existing body of knowledge, informing policies and interventions to enhance the support systems for African refugees from the war in Ukraine.
This study uses a qualitative approach to explore the challenges regarding the integration and well-being of African migrants fleeing from Ukraine to Germany. Five in-depth interviews were conducted in October 2023. The flexibility and adaptability of in-depth interviews allow for subjective evaluation of individual experiences and their implications for health and well-being. The interviews were conducted in Hamburg, Northern Germany.
Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique—a non-probability sampling method (
The guided semi-structured interview included questions that covered the living situations in Ukraine before the war, their reactions and experiences to the war outbreak, their journey out of Ukraine and arrival in Germany, subjective integration in Germany, well-being and health outcomes as well as challenges and plans for the future. The interviews lasted, on average, 30 min. The interview took place in a neutral, closed-up location that allowed participants to express their thoughts freely. With the consent of the participants, all interviews were audio-recorded. The interviews were conducted by AA. All study participants gave their verbal and written consent to participate.
The recorded interviews were transcribed using the intelligent verbatim technique. After that, the interviews were analysed using the content-structuring qualitative content analysis by
Four categories with several sub-categories were identified: Challenges regarding integration in Germany, physical and mental health, and quality of life.
Challenges regarding integration in Germany were reported in language, discriminatory experiences, administrative and immigration authorities and professional development.
All participants highlighted difficulties with the German language while emphasising its significance in the integration process. For example, two participants explained it as the first step, “
Two of the participants reported experiencing violence and (racial) discrimination or being treated differently from the Ukrainian refugees. This perceived differential treatment may influence their adaptation and inclusion in Germany, as reported by P4: “
Furthermore, all participants reported some challenges with the administrative or immigration authorities. These challenges ranged from recognising documents from Ukraine to issuing or clarifying residence status. Three out of five interviewees highlighted immigration authorities as one of their main challenges in Germany. One of the participants studying human medicine in Ukraine narrated the challenge they faced: “
Regarding admission for studies or professional development, four out of five interviewees reported that they either could not continue their studies in Germany because they did not meet the admission criteria or that they had to work in a job that was below their qualifications. The participants lamented language and administrative hurdles as barriers to professional advancement. One participant expressed their thoughts on this as follows
Regarding the work situation, interviewees appreciate that Germany offers many well-paid jobs. All participants emphasised in the interviews that a good job is crucial for their future. However, they express that the long and challenging integration process may hinder them from continuing their previously learned professions in Germany. One person described it as follows:
Based on the interview data, three main categories were formed: Physical Health, Mental Health, and Quality of Life. The mental health category includes three sub-categories: Stress due to the dual burden of professional advancement and integration, social isolation and fear of returning to their home country.
The results suggested that participants generally rated their physical health as good. Additionally, three individuals stated that they take care of their physical health, for example, by engaging in regular exercise. One person described it as follows: “
All participants reported mentally challenging situations in Germany. The subsequent subcodes provide insight into the themes mentioned by the interviewees.
All participants reported feeling stressed in Germany. These stresses were generally attributed to the dual burden of professional advancement and simultaneously integrating into the German system.
Feelings of loneliness and being left to fend for themselves were described as major challenges in Germany. One participant mentioned in the interview that they had to do most things independently because they did not know anyone here:
Furthermore, the interviewees expressed a profound despair and fear of returning to their home country. This fear can lead to perceived depression, as described by one interviewee:
All interviewees, except one participant, who did not comment on the quality of life, rated their quality of life as unsatisfactory. This poor rating was attributed to unmet basic needs. For example, one interviewee described it:
Despite the obstacles and disappointment about their current life situation, the interviews reveal that all interviewed individuals are optimistic about the future. For example, one interviewee sees immigration, despite the challenges, as a process:
In the current study, five African students fleeing Ukraine due to the war, were interviewed about their physical and mental well-being and the challenges they experienced regarding the integration process in Germany.
This study explored the experiences of five African students displaced from Ukraine by the war, focusing on their physical and mental well-being and their challenges with integration in Germany. The findings reveal that integration difficulties are multifaceted and deeply shaped by intersections of race, legal status, and socio-economic position. Beyond individual struggles, participants’ narratives illustrate how structural and institutional frameworks produce unequal opportunities for integration and well-being.
The centrality of language proficiency for successful integration aligns with previous findings (
The participants in this study expressed that they felt being treated differently compared to White Ukrainian refugees (
In addition, challenges with the administrative and immigration authorities further complicated the study participants’ integration process. The difficulties in obtaining recognition of documents and residence status and administrative barriers in pursuing education and professional development reflect issues on a systematic and institutional level and may require political changes. For instance, refugees who secured admission to further or restart their studies in Germany require about € 11,000 in a blocked account before obtaining the residence permit to study. Although this has been the norm for international students in Germany, such requirements illustrate how policies designed for international students become nearly impossible to meet for displaced populations who have lost livelihoods. Despite acknowledging the availability of well-paid jobs in Germany, participants expressed concerns about the lengthy and challenging integration process hindering them from utilising or expanding their professional skills and qualifications. The lengthy process of recognition or non-recognition of foreign educational or professional qualifications is one of the main obstacles to successful integration for first-generation migrants in the host country, especially if migration is not primarily due to education or work reasons (
The reliance on religious organisations and African communities for support rather than state institutions emphasises structural gaps in the existing support systems for migrants in Germany. The preference for community-related support aligns with previous findings, showing that community-based organisations play a critical role in the social, cultural and economic integration of migrants and refugees (
Participants in this study generally rated their physical health as good. However, reports of physical discomfort, illness, and stress related to the dual burden of professional advancement and integration indicate the need for holistic support systems. Social isolation and feelings of loneliness further contribute to the emotional stress experienced by participants, highlighting the importance of addressing social integration alongside professional and linguistic integration. The prevalence of mental disorders among migrants across Europe is well documented (
Taken together, these findings highlight the need to view the integration of African third-country nationals from Ukraine through an explicitly intersectional and structural lens. Their experiences are not simply a matter of individual adaptation but reflect the overlapping effects of racialisation, precarious legal status, and socio-economic marginalisation within the German migration regime. From a postcolonial perspective, the differential treatment of African refugees reveals enduring hierarchies of mobility that privilege some groups over others, reproducing global power asymmetries. To address these systemic barriers, German institutions could adopt more inclusive policies: universities should expand admission pathways and offer bridging programs that recognise interrupted studies and prior learning; immigration authorities could simplify and harmonise documentation requirements for third-country nationals fleeing war zones; and health systems should integrate culturally responsive mental health services to mitigate the psychosocial impact of displacement and discrimination. Such measures would not only promote equity but also foster the social and economic participation of this group, aligning with Germany’s broader commitment to humanitarian protection and social inclusion.
This study attempts to highlight the barriers limiting the integration of African-Ukrainian war refugees in Germany. The outcome of the investigation aligns with literature studies regarding the integration of migrants globally. The study further acknowledges several limitations affecting the generalisability and depth of its findings. The sample size of five participants, selected through convenience sampling, may not fully represent the diverse range of refugee experiences and limits the diversity of perspectives. Moreover, all participants were young adults, most of them students in health-related fields. The perspectives of older individuals or those with different socio-economic backgrounds were not included in this study. Thus, the findings cannot be generalized but are instead exploratory. The study’s limited cultural and linguistic scope may not capture the nuances within different refugee communities, and potential interviewer bias introduces subjectivity into the data.
Additionally, the single-point-in-time perspective overlooks the dynamic nature of migration experiences. The interviews were kept as short as possible to protect participants from additional stress. While many aspects were mentioned, the interviews may not have been long enough to capture the complexity of individuals’experiences. Future studies could build on these first insights. Longitudinal or mixed-methods approaches are recommended to assess changes in integration and well-being over time.
Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable qualitative insights into the complexities of refugees’ lives, providing a foundation for future research to address these constraints and enhance our understanding of the refugee experience.
This study aimed to evaluate the challenges impacting the integration of African refugees who fled the Ukraine war in Germany. Subjective and semi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate individual experiences and their impact on health and well-being. The study results are highlighted as follows: (i) Understanding German is critical to integrating into German society; (ii) The discriminatory experiences faced by the participants while fleeing the war in Ukraine remain unabated in Germany. Participants revealed that administrative and immigration authorities represent obstacles to their residence and survival in Germany; (iii). While academic and professional development opportunities abound in the country, the lengthy and bureaucratic process of recognising foreign qualifications is challenging; (iv). Supports and helpful interventions were mostly received from religious organisations and African communities; (v) Owing to stress, unmet basic needs, social exclusion and future uncertainties, the participants were unsatisfied with their overall quality of life.
These results might be of great interest to policymakers, civil organisations, community-based organisations and especially organisations supporting refugees, to implement more intervention programs to promote the integration of the African victims of the war in Ukraine in Germany.
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.
The studies involving humans were approved by Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ethics Commission. The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.
AA: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Project administration, Visualization. SK: Formal analysis, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JB: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. TF: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. SH-R: Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. We acknowledge support for the article processing charge by the Open Access Publication Fund of Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and the Akademie der Wissenschaften in Hamburg.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The authors declare that Gen AI was used in the creation of this manuscript. Generative AI was used to finetune sentence structure.
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