Primarily college and graduate students and professors are found in and around the University of Minnesota. Starting in 1994, refugees from the turmoil in Somalia began to immigrate here. Minnesota, because of its history as a center for Somali students and academics coming here to obtain a higher education and live in safe affordable and non threatening communities and became a primary settling point for Somali refugees. Most Somalia households are made up of families. Typically a man from a family will emigrate in advance of his family.
Somali families are extended families including parents, children and grandparents.
Additionally, because of the clan structure of Somali, it is common for Somali households to include more distant relatives who share the same clan. Commonly Somali households will have 5-8 members. Back in the camp. One of the most encouraging developments within the Somali community in Minneapolis is how families and clans are relating to each other. While in Somalia political infighting has extended to the clans, resulting in general fear between neighbors and friends that they may be putting themselves and their fellow community members in jeopardy by associating with other clan members.