Guiden till Spaniensverige: Diaspora, integration och transnationalitet bland svenska föreningar i södra Spanien

Abstract

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Made in Swedish: diasporisation and lifestyle orientation among Swedish migrant networks in Southern Spain

“…However, while the practices implemented for this purpose are likely to attract the attention and engagement of individuals in the networks, it is at the same time obvious that the arrangements will be a matter of promoting a certain type of social interaction and lifestyle. The associations need to 'listen' to their potential members when designing activities, but they also selectively decide which activities to set up in their repertoire (Olsson, 2018). Moreover, in the implementation of practices it is likely that the agents will impose certain routines, behavioural codes, cultures, etc., that will orientate the members in a certain direction.…”

“…This migration has continued uninterrupted and estate agencies still report a booming market. Both of these coastal areas have similar 'types' of Swedish settlements living there as seasonal inhabitants or visiting the areas as 'long-term' tourists (Gustafson, 2009;Olsson, 2018). Living in these parts of Spain means that Swedes, as migrants, will come across agencies, neighbourhood associations, service providers, bars and restaurants that, although located in Spain, have a more international than a 'Spanish' flavour (O'Reilly, 2000).…”

“…Increasingly, Swedish citizens in Spain are living most of their life there while maintaining social and living arrangements in Sweden (cf. Gustafson, 2009;Olsson, 2017Olsson, , 2018Woube, 2014Woube, , 2020. However, despite their privileged situation in their new settlement the migrants often find themselves in a position where they are without the necessary skills or support from the authorities to negotiate their everyday reality.…”

“…For this reason, there is a significant civic engagement within the networks with volunteers, church organisations and individual entrepreneurs that offer support and self-help with daily care and interpretation (Gavanas, 2017;Olsson, 2018). Having access to this safe harbour of supportive Swedish mates and actors will however require some kind of reorientation of individuals to the dominating standards and norms within these contexts (Gavanas, 2017;Lundström, 2014;Olsson, 2017Olsson, , 2018). An interesting question in the continued discussion here concerns how the associations relate to this aspect of the network members' reality while attempting to make a Swedish community of them.…”

“…The associations' websites are their social window and contain much useful information about for instance tax regulations, pension rules for those living in Spain with pensions from their active time in Sweden, as well as healthcare and practical information believed to be useful for Swedish residents in Spain. In these cases, the associations mediate services, information and activities that are relevant mainly to certain types of migrants from Sweden living in Spain: those who have an interest in economic transactions and those who are seniors with an interest in staying in Spain (Olsson, 2017(Olsson, , 2018.…”