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Abstract
While plenty of literature has examined the role diaspora communities play in interethnic reconciliation, very little research has been done on these groups’ perceptions of said role, despite the fact that this perception directly affects the very decisions they make. In this study, I interview members of the Croatian, Albanian, Bosnian, and Serbian diasporas of Chicago in order to better understand their perception of their role in forming relationships with one another — and how living in the United States may have influenced their perspective. The intention of this study, more broadly, is to better understand how people’s perception of their relationship with outgroup members affects their decision-making and behavior, and how living outside of one’s homeland affects this perception. In the concluding paragraphs, I offer suggestions for future research on this topic and offer candid advice to diaspora communities around the world.