Staying or returning: Pre‐migration influences on the migration process of German migrants to New Zealand

Abstract

Changes in migrants' backgrounds and societies sending and receiving migrants might increase adaptation issues and reduce retention. To enhance migrants' well-being/health and their likelihood of staying it is necessary to gain an understanding of psychological and social factors that contribute to resilience and adaptation. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that investigated the experiences, interpretations and actions of German migrant couples to New Zealand throughout the whole migration process to identify these factors. In depth, episodic interviews were conducted with four couples who decided to stay in New Zealand and four couples who decided to return to Germany. Interview data were complemented with participant observation. This paper provides insights into how the pre-migration experiences, interpretations and actions of German migrants to New Zealand influenced their establishment, their interpretations and actions and consequently adaptation, well-being/health and the decision whether to stay in New Zealand or to return to Germany. The findings illuminate the influence of psychological and social factors on migration experiences, interpretations and actions throughout the migration process. The paper offers some solutions for addressing the identified barriers to successful migration and integration into host societies.

International Migration Decision-Making and Destination Selection Among Skilled Migrants

“…This has also been noted in German migrants to New Zealand (Bürgelt, Morgan, & Pernice, 2008). Drivers in this study discussed 'self-induced' pressure to make the move a success, which is similar to previous findings (Tabor & Milfont, 2012).…”

Met expectations and the wellbeing of diaspora immigrants: A longitudinal study

“…Previous research on immigrant adjustment suggests that expectations of one's future migration may decrease uncertainty related to the decision to move (Black, 1992), as well as affect the formation of experiences (Ward et al., 2001, p. 204) and help behavioral adjustment (Bürgelt, Morgan, & Pernice, 2008) after migration. However, as pointed out by Szkudlarek (2010), most of the research on the relationship between premigration expectations and postmigration adaptation has been theoretically inconsistent and/or methodologically retrospective.…”

Lithuanian Temporary Workers in Iceland in Another Economic Boom: Expectations and Experiences

“…The field survey method was employed in order to investigate the expectations and experiences of TAWs in Iceland. The questionnaire was constructed based on research done by Burgelt et al (2008). Furthermore, the survey was also based on findings in the qualitative phase of the research that authors of this article performed.…”

“…The focus on the relationship between expectations and their fulfillment has been researched extensively for years. Research by Burgelt, Morgan, and Pernice (2008) has shown that migrants who have limited firsthand information and who have inflated and high expectations about the new culture, tend to experience higher levels of disappointment, dissatisfaction and are more likely to return home prematurely than those who have more realistic information about the new culture. Furthermore, their study conducted on German migrants in New Zealand implies that migrants need resources such as migration counselling, language tuition by native speakers and information sources that give insights into what the migration process entails before they arrive in the new culture.…”