Strangers among their own: local interaction, integration, and segregation of Russian immigrants in Prague

Abstract

The paper aims to understand the relations between segregation, integration, and interaction of Russian immigrants in the city of Prague. Focusing on localities with a high-level concentration of Russians, the paper discusses the choice of residential area and its assessment, future migration plans, and local relations and the nature of everyday social interaction of Russian immigrants with other Russians, immigrants, and Czech citizens. While Russians are in daily interaction with the majority as well as with their fellow countrymen, the research highlighted their tendencies of mental separation and isolation, which hinders local integration.