On ‘An Introspective Journey’

Abstract

To what extent can the experience of travel become also a journey of self-discovery leading to a reconstruction of identities? Taking 'a year out', inter-railing, going abroad on a language study or an au pair stay: these are some of the most common forms of youth travel in contemporary Europe. As almost ritual ways of moving, they may be likened to initiation journeys. This article explores the significance of travel in young people's lives, and in the process of identity construction. These issues are explored in the travel narratives of a group of young people who took part in an autobiographical and mixed method project on identities which was conducted in England and Italy. The meaning of travel in these young people's lives is appreciated through their own words and written diaries. Young people's agency and role in constructing their travel experiences is analysed, as well as the extent to which fate, in the shape of societal expectations and norms, as well as parental intervention, may actually predefine some forms of travel as 'institutional' rites of passage. Travels may offer a scenario for an individualised construction of self, which may also involve the co-participation of significant others. The experiences of young women backpackers in this study point out how travelling can still be a way of defining alternative gender identities.

Student Mobility and Transnational Social Ties as Factors of Reflexivity

“…Besides finding jobs and transversal skills, mobility plays a protagonist role in material and symbolic practices marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood (Thomson and Taylor 2005). By traveling, young people obtain individual control over their lives as travel offers a scenario of the individualised construction of the self (Bagnoli 2009). However, differences are likely to arise not just between mobile (being on a student exchange) and non-mobile (not on a student exchange) individuals, but also those who are actively mobile in the long run and the others.…”

Formas de participação de jovens com origem migrante em associações em Portugal

“…Com a redução das distâncias geográficas provocada pela globalização, a experiência de viajar tornou-se parte da vida quotidiana da maioria das pessoas, e o desejo de viajar tornou-se uma aspiração comum para os jovens europeus (Bagnoli, 2009). Por exemplo, Jardim e Silva (2018: 8), num estudo recente sobre voluntariado europeu, concluíram que um dos motivos de os jovens europeus fazerem voluntariado é a oportunidade de "viajar e conhecer novos países e culturas sem grandes despesas".…”

Leaving Spain

“…For many people I interviewed, the step to move to another country was tied to a specific purpose such as learning a new language (Bagnoli, 2009). Once the 'mission' was completed, the question of 'return' became imminent.…”