Integration Challenges: Facilitating the Acculturation Process of Adolescents with Migration Experience in an Urban Environment

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2026-2/205-222

Authors

Keywords:

migration, acculturation, integration into the environment, teenagers, museum anthropology

Abstract

In the context of the growing cultural diversity of Russian cities and the increasing number of children with migration experience, the problem of their integration into the educational, social, and cultural environments is becoming especially relevant. This article is devoted to the analysis of theoretical approaches to acculturation and the description of a model of an educational event aimed at promoting the integration of migrant adolescents into the urban environment through interaction with cultural institutions. The authors rely on modern concepts of acculturation (in particular, the models of D. Berry and R. Bourhis), emphasizing the importance of the integration strategy as the most favorable for the psychological and social adaptation of adolescents. The key difficulties faced by children with migration experience are considered, including language barrier, culture shock, intercultural communication difficulties, discrimination and bullying. Particular attention is paid to the role of educational institutions and teachers in creating an inclusive environment, as well as the potential of museums and other cultural institutions in forming a positive experience of interaction with the host community. The article presents the authors’ model of a museum educational event aimed at supporting teenagers in the integration process. The model was tested at the Museum of Moscow and included a series of activities that promoted the formation of a sense of belonging among participants, understanding of the city's history and symbolic acceptance of a new cultural space. The results of the testing showed that such formats of work can be effective in overcoming social distance, developing cultural confidence and choosing an integration strategy. The article may be useful for teachers, museum staff, specialists in the field of intercultural communication and developers of integration programs in a multicultural urban environment.

Author Biographies

  • Anastasia Belolutskaya, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University

    Belolutskaya, Anastasia K. — Ph.D. in Psychology, Head of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: beloluckayaak@mgpu.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8184-741

  • Anna Golovina, Moscow City University

    Golovina, Anna V. — expert of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: heurodis@yandex.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0310-1128

  • Ivan Grinko, Moscow City University

    Grinko, Ivan A. — Doctor of History, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: grinkoi@mgpu.ru  ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1594-0244

  • Grigoriy Gurin, Moscow City University

    Gurin, Grigoriy G. — expert of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: guringg@mgpu.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4070-4905

  • Irina Krishtofik, Moscow City University

    Krishtofik, Irina S. — Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: krishtofik@gmail.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5636-8347

  • Natalya Zhabina, Moscow City University

    Zhabina, Natalya G. — expert of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: zhabinanatalya@gmail.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0905-7524

  • Tatyana Shcherbakova, Moscow City University

    Shcherbakova, Tatyana V. — Ph.D. in History, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory for Assessment of Professional Competencies and Adult Development, Research Institute of Urban Studies and Global Education, Moscow City University (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: Sherbakovatv@mgpu.ru  ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4556-5550

    For citation: Belolutskaya, A. K. et al. 2026. Integration Challenges: Facilitating the Acculturation Process of Adolescents with Migration Experience in an Urban Environment. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik Antropologii) 2: 205–222.

     

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Published

11.06.2026

Issue

No. 2 (2026): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

Challenges of Integration and Cross Cultural Interaction