How Does Place Matter to Highly Skilled Migrants?: <i>Work/non-work experiences of international physicians in Norway and Sweden</i>

Abstract

The article tackles the question of how place matters to migrant physicians in the regions of Agder in Norway and Skåne in Sweden by exploring how place-specific conditions affect their experiences in the work, private, family and social domains of life. For this purpose, the article uses thematic analysis of the narrative material gathered through 25 semi-structured interviews. The lens of work/non-work domains, combined with a practice-oriented approach to place, highlights the complexity of lived experiences as they evolve in a particular context. Three main findings are identified: the non-homogenous significance of place across life domains, the vital role of transborder connections and obligations that affect individual and family resources for work/non-work negotiations in the place of settlement and the limits to the skillbased privileges in the place of settlement, which are notable in the domain of work but not replicated in non-work domains.

Staying and immobility: new concepts in population geography? A literature review

“…Research on immobilities underlines the ways in which place is constructed and hierarchised when populations are stigmatised as left behind, trapped, or stuck. It furthermore reveals that remaining in a locality can be connected to resources and privileges (Preece, 2018;Mata-Codesal, 2015). We will need further studies to understand decisions regarding (im)mobilities in their relation to access to resources and privileges and their connection with place, especially for different population subgroups.…”

“…The general tenor in immobility research is that immobility E. Gruber: Staying and immobility: new concepts in population geography? A literature review is unquestionably an active process (Erickson et al, 2018;Preece, 2018;Hjälm, 2014). Besides, the general absence of reasons for leaving or of alternative attractive places to go is also a trigger for staying decision-making (Hjälm, 2014).…”

“…Staying and leaving decisions are often not taken by individuals alone but rather are complex family strategies Mulder, 2018;Hjälm, 2014). Focussing on areas with reduced economic perspectives and low rates of moving (see Preece, 2018) can provide interesting insights into the reasons why people decide to remain immobile, despite objectively better opportunities offered in other places.…”

Temporality and space in highly skilled migrants’ experiences of education and work in the rural north of Sweden

“…How place matters for highly skilled migrants has received little attention, especially for those in depopulating rural areas (Frykman et al, 2020;Han & Humphreys, 2006;Verdich, 2010). Thus, better understanding is needed of obstacles and opportunities for professional groups of highly skilled migrants in relation to their local places of residence (Frykman et al, 2020).…”

“…How place matters for highly skilled migrants has received little attention, especially for those in depopulating rural areas (Frykman et al, 2020;Han & Humphreys, 2006;Verdich, 2010). Thus, better understanding is needed of obstacles and opportunities for professional groups of highly skilled migrants in relation to their local places of residence (Frykman et al, 2020). This article critically explores highly skilled migrants' opportunities for, and obstacles hindering access to, adult education, training, workplace practice and validation to re-enter their profession and stay in rural areas.…”