Migrant Perspectives

Migrants have actively settled outside their country of origin in history, especially in the eighty years since the Second World War of the 20th century. Emigration can be categorised due to the following main causes: Economic improvement. Seeking refuge from war, discrimination and oppression. Realising oppprtunities not found in the homeland. Finding cultural, religious and heritage familiarity in other nations. Personal marriage and partnership reasons. Settling down after studying overseas. Fleeing from political differences in pursuit of personal freedom. Straddling between country of origin and investing in new markets. Posted by government of country of origin to serve overseas. Making use of greater mobility to travel, on line flexibility and welcome by foreign nations. A strong sense of adventure to try new experiences. The concept and practice of dual nationality, permanent residency and limited visa stays in a nation have allowed millions to build a life, social networks and businesses away from the country of origin. Western nations particularly have admitted a huge flow of migrants to enter their society. In so doing, this process has limited the drop in natural births, the economic impact of an aging society, a reduction of working tax payers and problems in finding enough people to do essential roles in aged care, gig jobs and medical services. How often do we hear of people migrating to Africa, with all respect to the potential and actual growth of an often under estimated continent. It is not just the difference in standards of living that is considered - but also differences in political governance, the array of personal freedoms and costs of daily needs that can factor in the choice of destination nation to move to. Vibrant city states, lower tax havens and past track records are important to individuals and families making the significant move. What happens when emigrants who came years ago suddenly find that social attitudes, political climate, previously attractive regulations and economic vibrancy have changed compared to when they first arrived? It can get even more of a shake up when the younger generations of earlier migrants find other cities and countries more relevant for them to build a career or business than the one they grew up in. No economy or nation can hold the lead forever. Real competition changes parameters in technology, education, incentives, financial structure, resilience, risk management and social vibrancy. Governments with politicians and bureaucracy stuck on mindsets and approach that do not change with realities and agility can see the rot with their embedded denials and refusal to tackle challenges. The 21st century has offered changing rules, structures and trends which some nations grab by the horns and which others have already fallen down the proverbial slippery slope. So new generations can migrate to new locations. The creation of diasporas and their history depend on changing shifts in power and passion. Colonial powers no longer keep a hold of luring migrants in the same way as in the 19th and 20th centuries. What is attractive today may be sustained or changed suddenly by the varying factors of geopolitics, trade and culture. Individuals and groups with a different ethnicity from rhe mainstream of society they settle in can find a whole varying range of receptions. They may always find themselves viewed on the fringe or as a minority. It also depends on the governance structure and humanity emphasis of the nation they move to. When socio-economic problems develop, are migrants an easy target to blame on, even if they are not related to the burgeoning issue? Are contemporary societies becoming more selfish, dropping equity and fairness standards and practice in dealing with people with a different religion, skin colour and culture? To illustrate, an issue possibly facing the disapora with Chinese or Indian backgrounds is a question of their loyalty to their home country or adopted migrant nation. There can be complexity or confusion when we try to sort out their cultural affinity or loyalty, as opposed to their political affirmation. Japanese and Germans in America were treated with utmost suspicion in the USA when the latter fought with Nazi Germany and Imperialist Japan. This complication indeed can affect all induviduals having dual citizenships. Do individuals and families eventually return to their home country they left years before? Retirees with a higher purchasing power, perhaps mainly due to a better currency exchange, can consider making second homes in lower cost locations. Perhaps such individuals can claim pensions from both their migrated and home countries. Costs of food, accommodation and leisure can be so much cheaper - but more than not is the quality of medical care and treatment. Such arrangements of relocation may also cause problems in social networking for baby boomers. Movement of peoples do not occur in silo or vacuum. Personal experiences, culinary skills, habits of society and inherent heritage patterns are transferred to and shared in the new society. How a new place interacts with, accepts or pushes back the vibes of new migrants ( especially if they arrive in vast numbers within a relatively short time) is most significant. When permanent residents of a foreign country return to the nation of their citizenship, they are likely to feel they fully belong to either location. They have left their country of origin - and they may not have fully integrated with the mainstream of their adopted nation. #yongkevthoughts