Migration Studies Commons^™

Orienting Volunteers On Cultural Awareness And Empathy While Working With Refugees, Sangya Dhungana

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

It is imperative to recognize that effective volunteer engagement in refugee resettlement hinges upon a deep understanding of cultural dynamics and sensitivities. This paper explores the challenges and complexities of volunteer engagement with refugees, offering insights from the author's experiences, scholarly literature, and theoretical frameworks. The writing highlights the importance of cultural awareness, empathy, and reflective practice in supporting refugees during resettlement while acknowledging the need for ongoing learning and evaluation of volunteer approaches. Relevant concepts and theories from the Critical and Creative Thinking courses are included, integrating perspectives into the author’s analysis of volunteer experiences. Additionally, the paper incorporates …

“Ptasie Mleczko,” “Schabowy” Or “Pierogi”? Polish Foods And Dishes In Ireland, Marzena Keating

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

Following the accession of ten Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union in 2004, Ireland witnessed the influx of migrants, the largest group coming from Poland. To cater for their culinary needs specialized shops and dining establishments started to emerge in cities and towns across Ireland. Well-established supermarket chains, such as, for example, Supervalu, Tesco and Lidl, began selling typical Polish food products that would appeal to this community. Various events celebrating Polish traditions, including culinary ones, have been organized throughout Ireland. Additionally, Polish recipes have often occurred in Irish local and national newspapers. This research, based on …

To The Taste Of Ghurba: Diasporic Food And Oral Memories Of Tunisia In Europe, Gabriele Proglio

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

During an oral history research on the larger European open-air market in Turin, called “Porta Palazzo,” Tunisian people replied to my questions using the Tunisian-Arab word ghurba in order to define their condition of being in diaspora. Ghurba is a specific emotion about the condition of separation and estrangement. It is used for describing the situation of being a foreigner, migrant, illegal, invisible in a land away from home. For this reason, it evokes a state of abandonment, loneliness, isolation but also it is used for yearning a reconnection and socialization with an idea of community based on memories of …

“Praying And Eating”: The Preservation Of Jewish Food Traditions In The Wake Of Brexit Trauma, Angela Hanratty

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

This research examines the impact that Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the Windsor Framework have had on the food traditions of the Jewish population of Ireland, through focusing on the lived experience of the Jewish communities of Belfast and Dublin and their collective memory. While there has been much debate on the lasting effect of the UK leaving the EU on industry and agriculture, the deleterious impact on the kosher observant in Ireland has been less documented, with specific challenges for the preservation of food traditions in a community with a history “full of praying and eating” (Maurice Cohen, …

Insider Research In Migration And Music Sociology: Contextualizing Indigenous And (G)Local Method(Ologie)S In Studying Migrant Musicians, Carljohnson Anacin

The Qualitative Report

Researching migrants in various geographical and social environments necessitates the use of culturally sensitive and contextualized modes of understanding. Migrants’ perspectives, lifeways, and knowledge need to be recognized through proper historical and cultural perspectives. This article discusses the use and potential application of culturally contextualized method(ologie)s in conducting insider research in migration and music sociology, both of which have traditionally been dominated by Western methodologies and scholars. The use of the Filipino method(ologie)s – pakikipagkuwentuhan and pakikilahok – is examined as applied in understanding musical experiences and everydayness of Filipino musicians in Australia. Furthermore, I demonstrate that in such interdisciplinary …

Playing With International Students From Asia: An Exploration Of Cultural Commonalities And Differences In Developmental Transformations (Dvt), Hazuki Okamoto

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Asian international students in the United States face a multitude of challenges such as language barriers, differences in cultural norms and behaviors, and identity confusion while navigating a foreign landscape. Developmental Transformations (DvT), a form of drama therapy, may apply to these challenges by enabling participants to explore different identities and express themselves creatively beyond the language barrier. This community engagement project was designed for Asian international students to be seen and heard by utilizing DvT. Within an in-person workshop, five participants played with their shared stories, and explored international and cultural roles in group DvT. Key takeaways from the …

Resilience In Refugee Youth: A Review Of Contributing Factors And Potential Barriers, Anna J. Kreisman

Honors Projects

While past research has predominantly centered on the trauma and challenges faced by refugees, there is a current shift toward examining refugee lives through a lens of resilience. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the contributing factors and potential barriers to resilience in young refugees. I conducted a literature review of research from the past 24 years, primarily searching PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, and SocINDEX. The review findings demonstrate that resilience can stem from individual, family, school, and community-level factors. The findings further indicate several potential barriers to resilience. In addition, I briefly discuss mental health interventions …

Evaluating Climate Migration Through Discourse Analysis Of International Policy Framework And “El Progreso” Community Blog, Olusola Akanni

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Environmental changes are driven by global warming, such as rising temperatures, melting ice, and increased natural disasters which directly affect the living conditions of huma thereby driving migration. This study highlights the inadequacies of current migration management policies as the United States is seeing a significant influx of migrants from Central America. The focus of this discourse analysis is on the role of inadequate policies and the failure of international efforts like the Paris Climate Agreement in addressing the issue of climate-induced migration effectively. Despite the goals set by such international agreements to mitigate the effects of climate change …

Labors Of Love And Loss: Exploring Relationships In Remitting Latine-American Families, Sequoyah Sv Hilton

Master's Theses

This paper examines the impact remittances have in Latin-American families across borders through qualitative interviews. Remittances, or international transfers of money, are a common support strategy of global migrant communities. There are divergent opinions on remittances, either positioning them as a great potential for developing lower and middle-income countries, or critiquing them as too heavily depended on by states and created as a survival support mechanism by communities to compensate for state neglect. While they are a massive cash flow at the international level, there is a greater need to blend analyses of remittances at the international level at the …

“Bad Hombres”: Trump Era Politics And Media In Shaping The Perceptions Of The Mexican Diaspora In The United States, Angelica Soria

Master's Theses

My research delves into the anti-Mexican immigrant rhetoric spread throughout the United States under Donald Trump’s presidency by himself, mainstream media news outlet Fox News, and the U.S. government. Furthermore, examining the social identity of ethnic Mexicans in the United States in response to and as a consequence of the negative rhetoric. This thesis analyzes discourse including the harmful rhetoric and its impact on policy formulation, public perception, and the lived experiences of Mexican immigrants and ethnic Mexican communities. By looking at existing discourse, this research provides a critical discourse analysis of political speeches, media coverage, and ethnic Mexican testimonios. …

Climate Migration In The United States: The Influence Of Natural Disasters, Resource Scarcity, And Perceived Climate Inhospitality, Sam Minard

Culture, Society, and Praxis

Climate change poses an urgent threat that necessitates adaptive strategies, and migration is an increasingly common choice. “Climate migration,” or migration in response to climate change, has attracted considerable attention, both scholarly and popular, but has primarily been considered an issue of the Global South. Climate migration in wealthy, industrialized nations such as the United States has been overlooked despite the rising severity of climate change impacts there. This study used content analysis of Reddit posts and comments to examine how the impacts of climate change are influencing migration decisions in the United States. Results showed that individuals migrated or …

Pediatric Caregiver Perspectives On Immigration Status In The Healthcare Setting, Anik Patel, Kimberly Randell, Jennifer Watts, John Cowden, Frances Turcotte Benedict, Juan Farias Torres, Ana Contreras, Ali Fowler, Estefania Bazan, Claudia Zepeda

Research Days

A qualitative study to explore pediatric parent/caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding impacts of immigrant status on healthcare and describe health and social needs of families for whom one or more caregivers has undocumented immigration status as well as preferred methods for resource connections among undocumented caregivers.

"Because They Recognized Us": Triangulated Perspectives Of Syrian Mothers' Resettlement Experiences In The Eastern United States., Kayte Thomas

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Research indicates that post-resettlement experiences can be particularly challenging for people with refugee status. Despite finding safety in and adjusting to their new home, former refugees have indicated that this time can be stressful and even traumatic. The current Syrian crisis has created the largest wave of refugees ever known, and Syrian women are amongst the most vulnerable. However, women’s needs and preferences are often not taken into consideration during the resettlement journey and when they are, there is no distinction between mothers and their childless counterparts. As social workers strive to empower the individual person within their environment, it …

Book Review: The Shaming State: How The U.S. Treats Citizens In Need, Steve Matthewman

Critical Disaster Studies

Salman’s book centers two different constituencies, in two different locations, in the 2010s, who have been impacted by two different disasters. The first group are Iraqi refugees who have been resettled in Wayne County, Michigan. Trying to start again over half a world away, they are trapped in the transit lounge of life, never able to move on, never able to properly belong. They found a state in recession, the automobile industry collapsing, the city of Detroit bankrupt. Their particular county had higher unemployment than the state’s average and a poor median income as well. Economically speaking, ‘Michigan fared worse …

“Haiti Is My Heart”: Exploring Return Migration Experiences Among The Haitian American Diaspora, Semline Singleton

Dissertations

The dissertation explored the return migration experiences among first- and second-generation Haitian diaspora members in the United States. The study aimed to fill gaps in the existing literature and provide a deeper understanding of the individual experience of return migration through a social and cultural lens. While previous research has focused on the political and economic aspects of return migration, this study examined the personal narratives of return migrants. It explored the causes, impacts, and individual experiences of return migration. To achieve the study's objectives, in-depth interviews were conducted with identified Haitian diaspora members who had returned to Haiti. The …

Picturing Consumer Culture, Cultural Hybridity, And Womanhood: Farah Al Qasimi’S Photographs From 2012 To 2020, Minji Lee

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines Farah Al Qasimi’s 2012-2020 color photographs, arguing that this work presents a distinctive and salient critique of domesticity, material culture, and womanhood in the UAE. Through her lens as a woman and a culturally hybrid subject, Al Qasimi explores the tensions of modernization, globalization, consumerism, and gender.

The Contemporary Causes Of Americans' Fear Of Illegal Immigration, Amilie Cai

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Annually, the U.S. aspires to extend its liberality by opening its border to more than ten thousand refugees. In this paper, I examine how political party identification, census region, and internet usage influence U.S. adults' fear of illegal immigration. Relying on the 2023 Chapman Survey of American Fears, a representative national sample of U.S. adults, I find that political party has remained a consistent predictor for an American’s fear of illegal immigration, with people who align themselves with the Republican Party in 2022 being more afraid of illegal immigration compared to other political parties, such as the Democrat Party. In …

Humanizing The Migration Experience: The Stories And Struggles Of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children From The Northern, Stephanie Santiago

International Studies (MA) Theses

This research paper explores the migration journey of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States, focusing on the reasons why children leave their home countries, the challenges they face during their journey, and the legal processes they undergo upon arrival in the USA. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), the study examines the structural inequalities and injustices that drive migration, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health issues on UICs. The paper also analyzes the policies and frameworks in place to protect …

Homemade Language, Conservative Fro-Yo, And Sci-Fi Sloths: How Speculative Migration Fiction Confronts The Ends Of Worlds By Challenging The Nation-State, Zoe R. Scheuerman

English Honors Projects

This English literature thesis project explores an emerging, genre-defying body of fiction which I call “speculative migration fiction.” Speculative migration fiction imagines how ongoing global developments like climate change, technological development, and war may shape future migrations. Drawing on Benedict Anderson’s conception of national culture, Wendy Brown’s theory of the border, and Caroline Levine’s understanding of literary form, as well as close readings from Scattered All Over the Earth by Yōko Tawada, Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, and 2 A.M. in Little America by Ken Kalfus, I argue that transnational migrations move toward becoming postnational migrations as migrants evade border …

Intersectionality Of Social Identity, Trauma, And Education: A First-Generation College Student's Reflective Journey, Richard De La Garza

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Student Scholarship

This reflective paper explores the intersectionality of social identity, trauma, and education through the lens of a first-generation college student (FGCS) who is a neurodivergent Army veteran. I share my personal journey and experiences, highlighting marginalized communities’ challenges in the education system. I delve into the impact of cultural invasion, the transmission of trauma across generations, and the importance of critical consciousness in addressing educational inequality. I also discuss the role of spatial thinking and language in shaping learning experiences. I emphasize the need for cultural awareness, inclusivity, and equity in educational spaces and highlight the transformative power of embracing …

Tracing The Path: Exploring The Drivers Behind Venezuelan Migration Waves, Sofia Hernandez Otero

2024 Student Academic Showcase

This research project investigates why Venezuela, once a wealthy nation, has experienced one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, causing many people to leave in large numbers. By examining the reasons behind these waves of emigration and the specific characteristics or backgrounds of the people leaving, we aim to understand the factors driving this mass exodus. Through studying the demographics of each wave, including factors like age, socioeconomic status, and education level, we seek to gain insights into the diverse experiences of Venezuelan migrants. By shedding light on these aspects, the research aims to provide a clearer understanding of the …

Immigration, Moral Panics, And Punishment: The Impact Of Media Coverage And Public Interest On Jail Incarceration, Faraneh Shamserad

Dissertations

Despite extensive empirical evidence showing that immigration does not lead to increases in crime, the purported immigration and crime link has been used to buttress increasingly punitive immigration policies over the past few decades. While previous studies have explored the role of enforcement practices for punishment, this dissertation delves into the mechanisms through which immigrants are transformed into “criminal subjects” and the consequences for punishment at the local level. By integrating moral panic theory with research on immigration, crime, and punishment, I propose that the inflammatory language surrounding immigration in media and public discourse has punitive consequences for immigrants. Moreover, …

Welcoming The Stranger: Abrahamic Hospitality And Its Contemporary Implications, Ori Z. Soltes, Rachel Stern, Endy Moraes

Religion

Embracing hospitality and inclusion in Abrahamic traditions

One of the signal moments in the narrative of the biblical Abraham is his insistent and enthusiastic reception of three strangers, a starting point of inspiration for all three Abrahamic traditions as they evolve and develop the details of their respective teachings. On the one hand, welcoming the stranger by remembering “that you were strangers in the land of Egypt” is enjoined upon the ancient Israelites, and on the other, oppressing the stranger is condemned by their prophets throughout the Hebrew Bible.

These sentiments are repeated in the New Testament and the Qur’an …

Serving The Voiceless: Analyzing Local Organizations For Immigrant Empowerment, Daniel Kabithe, Acia Diallo, Kiya Demps, Chance Brown, Aliyah Whitfield

Undergraduate Research Events

This research project delves into the landscape of community organizations that serve the immigrant population in Louisville, Kentucky, focusing on 6 key entities: La Casita Center, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Catholic Charities of Louisville, English Conversation Club, Backside Learning Center, and American Community Center. Through a combination of interviews, phone calls and research, we discovered the roles, missions, and offered services by each organization. Through these methods, we identified some of the critical needs within the immigrant community and examined how these organizations address them. Additionally, we discovered that not only did our research highlight the importance of the services provided, …

Exploring Diasporic And Local Perspectives: Overseas Vietnamese’S Relationship With Their Homeland’S Culture, People, And Development, Amanda Le

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Given its global presence and decades-long history of migration, the Vietnamese diaspora is a unique cultural, social, and economic phenomenon. Thus, examining the nuances of Vietnam’s diaspora-homeland connections can contribute to broader knowledge about transnational relationships. While past research has delved into the diaspora’s historical contexts, cultural ties, and contributions to Vietnam's development, contemporary studies often overlook the personal interactions and perspectives that are formed between diaspora members and locals. This study compares perceptions from both Vietnamese locals and Overseas Vietnamese on diasporic engagement with Vietnamese culture, people, and development. A mixed-method study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods: …

Diaspora As A Cultural Hearth: A Case Study Of The Amazigh In Morocco, Maximo Ellis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Diaspora consists of a group of people who reside in a location different from their imagined homeland. Despite the growing prevalence and prominence of diasporas around the world as contact between cultures becomes more frequent, there is relatively little consensus regarding the nature of diaspora communities and their identity construction. This paper uses the case study of the Amazigh diaspora to reveal some of the nuances and aspects that affect both the creation and spread of identity within diasporas. The Amazigh diaspora differs from other diasporas because it is a historically marginalized and oppressed group within their countries of origin, …

Los Determinantes Sociales Y El Acceso A La Salud De Las Mujeres Migrantes: Desde La Perspectiva De Las Usuarias Y Los Trabajadores De Salud, Vanessa Gutiérrez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For the past few years, Chile has developed laws and programs, such as the Program for Access to Healthcare for Immigrants, Decree N° 67, and recently Law N° 21.235, to improve the access that migrants have, however, there has been a failure to comply with these regulations. In this qualitative and descriptive investigation, the main objective is to find out how accessible, adequate, and effective the health resources offered by clinics are for migrant women. In order to carry out the investigation, eight semi-structured interviews were held with five primary healthcare workers who frequently work with the migrant population and …

Emprendimiento, Informalidad Laboral Y Vulnerabilidad De Los Migrantes Venezolanos En La Economía Ecuatoriana, Destiny Carlisle

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

La movilidad humana, particularmente la movilidad interregional en América Latina, guarda una estrecha relación con el incremento de emprendimientos informales en la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Diversos factores y condiciones vulnerables impulsan la iniciativa de emprendimiento y la informalidad laboral entre la comunidad venezolana en Cuenca, destacando especialmente el rol de la violencia de género, la explotación laboral y la xenofobia, entre otros aspectos. En este contexto, dicha comunidad ha propiciado la creación de nuevos mercados que benefician tanto al sector formal como informal. Las organizaciones extranjeras han desempeñado un papel de particular importancia en el respaldo a la comunidad …

Acceso A La Salud De Mujeres Migrantes Venezolanas En La Ciudad Autónoma De Buenos Aires (2024) / Female Venezuelan Migrants’ Access To Healthcare In Autonomous City Of Buenos Aires (2024), Karen Gonzalez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Esta investigación se enfoca en indagar y describir el acceso al sector de salud en la población de mujeres migrantes venezolanas con trabajos como monotributistas que residen en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). En la última década, Venezuela se ha enfrentado a una crisis económica y humanitaria. Esta crisis ha provocado una ola de migración sin precedentes por todo el mundo. Dentro del Cono Sur, Argentina se cataloga como el sexto país receptor de migrantes venezolanos. Considerando las leyes de migración y el sistema de salud universal en Argentina, me propuse describir las barreras de acceso a la …

The Reconfiguration Of The Spanish-Moroccan Border Regime: The Impact Of The 2021 Diplomatic Border Crisis, Shayra Nunez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The paper focuses on the relationship between Morocco and Spain, particularly those affecting migration control at the border in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The research question is: how do the events of May 2021 (the unauthorized opening of the border by Morocco) impact migration control practices in Ceuta and Melilla, and what are the implications for Spanish-Moroccan operational cooperation? The unauthorized opening of the border is conceptualized as a “diplomatic border crisis,” which is also a main contribution of this paper. The study analyzes this incident, which has impacted the border regime and led to changes in …