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MIGRATION, IMMIGRATION, Immigrating to a NEW COUNTRY, Immigrating back to…
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IMMIGRATION
PULL FACTORS
1. Promise of a "better life"
- e.g. The American Dream: California Gold Rush (1840s and 1850s) attracted many Chinese immigrants
- This dream represented the promise of freedom, opportunity and a chance to escape political stability in their home countries
- Regardless of one's background or social status, individuals have the opportunity to achieve success, prosperity, and a better life through hard work, determination, and merit.
2. Job opportunities
- e.g. UAE - rapid economic transformation and development, created high demand for skilled and unskilled workers across various sectors. UAE reputation as a GLOBAL BUSINESS HUB made it an appealing destination. Immigrants from India, Pakistan Bangladesh etc
3. Equality
- Gender, Race, Income equality
- e.g. A Chinese woman who has moved to Sweden said that the Chinese workplaces, they remain unfriendly toward women with female professionals expected to meet higher standards. To be more welcomed, she has to act like a woman and think like a man
4. Attractive Environment
- e.g. Canada: stunning landscapes, vast wilderness and abundant natural resources
PULL FACTORS
1. Affinity to way of life
- Strong emotional and cultural connection due to cultural identity and belonging: desire to reconnect with their cultural roots
2. Contribute back to society
- Sense of responsibility or duty, contribute skills, knowledge, and expertise to the development and growth of their nation
3. Family ties
- Desire to be with loved ones, especially aging parents or relatives, can strongly motivate them to go back home.
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SOLUTIONS
1. Integration programmes
- Better understand culture and practices, provide migrants with a base knowledge of how society functions
- Navigate social norms, avoid misunderstandings and become active participants in the community
e.g. Singapore Citizenship Journey: Mandatory programme for those becoming citizens: e-Journey, Singapore Experential Visit, Community Sharing session
1. (Personal) Expose themselves to local culture and people
- Observing locals living their everyday life => understand way of life in new country, compared to what tourists usually see
- Understand societal norms, cultural practices to take note of
- Interacting with the locals - experience their culture, learning from their mindset and outlook on life
- Make adjustments to own life to integrate into society
2. (Personal) Being open minded
- Important to be accepting of differences, instead of forming stereotypes, generalisations on others
- Only then can one reduce the distance one might feel towards locals
- Form closer bonds, forge deeper connections
IMPACT on host country
1. Cultural Diversity
- (+) Acculturation/Multiculturalism: Different groups maintain their distinct cultural identities while sharing a common sense of rootedness e.g. Singapore (Saland Bowl)
- (-) Assimilation: Cultural Erasure to fit in e.g. Whitewashed e.g. America (Boiling pot)
- France (racially blind policy => racially segregated communities)
2. Shift in National Identity
e.g. Singapore is a country that has a large influx of migrants
As a nation, this has influenced our national identity to be tied to Migration
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CHALLENGES
1. Difference in way of life
- e.g. Singapore (Hectic)
-> Keeping on the left side of elevators
-> (British Council 2016) Fastest walking speed in the world (how fast bumblebees fly)
-> Efficient Public Transport
- e.g. Costa Rica (Relaxed)
-> "Pura Vida" (pure life) deeply ingrained in the culture. Well-being, happiness > pursuit of material wealth.
2. Transnational Identity
- "Don't ask me where I'm from, I don't know what to say, cause the place where I grew up thinks I have changed" - sundial the "American Dream"
- Challenges reconciling their transnational identity with the expectations and perceptions of their home country's society.
- Stereotypes or misunderstandings about their experiences abroad, leading to feelings of being misunderstood or undervalued.
3. Social Networks
- Challenges reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances, especially if their social circles have changed during their time abroad.
- Build new social connections due to perceived cultural differences.
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IMPACT on home country
1. Reverse Brain Drain
- Highly skilled individuals who have migrated to another country for better opportunities decide to return.
- Helps to retain or regain talented individuals who can contribute to the country's progress (fill gaps in labour market)
To incentivise more returnees,
- Provide financial support, attractive job opportunities, grants, funding schemes and more to incentivise
- e.g. China: "Thousand Talents Program"
2. Creation of Competition within the Job market
- Valuable skills, knowledge, and expertise: competition between returnees and local job seekers with similar qualifications
- Language proficiency: Acquired fluency in foreign languages, advantage in multilingual job markets
- Global perspective: Exposure to international best practices
e.g. "Sea Turtles" in China: refer to Chinese students who have studied abroad and then return to China to work or start their careers
Returnees: compete with local graduates with fewer international experiences but had a better understanding of the local culture and job market.
Local job seekers: compete not only with their fellow Chinese graduates but also with the returnees who
SOLUTIONS
1. Government Support: Counselling and Mediation
- e.g. NZ - Migrant Settlement Support Services offer counseling and mediation services to returning immigrants.
- Provides practical advice, and support to help returnees settle back into NZ society.
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