Building social networks in the destination country: experiences of Venezuelans, Colombians and Spaniards in a medium-sized city in Chile

Abstract This article analyzes international immigrants’ construction of social networks in the country of destination, and the characteristics of these networks according to the country of origin. The case of three groups residing in Chile is studied through a qualitative methodological design based on semi-structured interviews, examined by means of narrative analysis. Results show that those who adapt more easily and quickly to the place of destination tend to establish networks with weak ties. Conversely, those who have more difficulties in adapting to the place of destination, or do so only partially, tend to establish closed, tightly-knit cultural networks.