Return migrant or diaspora: An exploratory study of new-generation Chinese-Canadian youth working in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Author(s)
Yan, M. C.
Lauer, S.
Date Issued
2014
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Volume
15
Issue
2
Start page
179
End page
196
Abstract
The circular movement of migrants between their homelands and adopted countries has problematized the previous linear understanding of return migration. However, the concept of circular migration tends to apply to migrants whose movement is enabled by their extensive pre-migration connections with their homelands. In this paper, we report findings of a study on a group of new-generation Chinese-Canadian youth working in Hong Kong. Although, like many return migrants, this group of young people had economic reasons for moving to Hong Kong (their parents' homeland), they do not position themselves as return migrants. Instead, they have kept a strong Canadian identity by maintaining unique friendship circles and perceiving Canada as a home to which they will one day return. We highlight in this paper some implications of their experiences for transnational migration studies.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
No database links found.