1. School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies
Negotiating Integration and Mobility – Experiences of Highly Skilled German Immigrants in Canada
Skilled Migration Flows and Borders in a Globalized World Summer Institute, May 23-24, 2017
Anke Patzelt
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies
University of Ottawa

2. Introduction
Migration is currently one of the “hot topics” in political and academic debates.
Focus on migration processes from the “global South” to the “global North”.
Less is known about the migration processes between highly-developed countries  reasons & motivations + mobility patterns + integration & settlement behavior.
However: Knowledge about these processes is important, as there is an increased competition for “creative individuals” to secure countries’ competitiveness in the world market.

3. Context
To examine these processes, my research uses the example of highly-skilled, self-initiated German expatriates moving to and from Canada.
Three main reasons for this:
Germany = One of the most important source countries of highly skilled “creative” emigrants worldwide.
Canada = Classic immigration country which pursues immigration policies that are targeted towards attracting workforce needed to fill economic demands and towards securing successful nation- building  Neoliberal turn.
Canada = One of the preferred destinations of Germans and especially highly skilled Germans.

4. Theoretical Perspectives
Focus on the ideational (affective, emotional and symbolic) aspects of integration  Feelings of home and belonging, identification and relation to host society, perception by majority population.

5. Methodology
Analysis presented here is part of my dissertation project which in total will consist of 60 life course interviews with highly skilled Germans moving to and from Canada.
Three target groups: Germans belonging to the creative class
a) in their country of origin upon their self-initiated emigration;
b) in the country of destination, Canada;
c) when experiencing return to their country of origin  The pre-migratory phase, the phase of settling down and living in the receiving society, and the phase of return migration will be explored.
Preliminary results from the interviews with my second target group: Reasons and motivations for moving to Canada & negotiation of processes of integration and belonging in different spheres of my interviewees’ lives.

6. Results I: Situation Prior to Coming to Canada
University degree from Germany and often a secure and well-paying job in Germany.
Previous international experiences, e.g. exchange studies or work.
Enriching social life and good circle of friends.
 No real triggers to leave Germany and move to Canada.

7. Results II: Reasons for Moving to Canada
Four Main Reasons:
Meeting a Canadian partner.
The wish to experience something new and interesting.
Exciting job opportunities in Canada (often not related with a better salary or better social security benefits).
Gaining international experiences and/or being able to work within a specific research group (individuals in academia).
 IMPORTANT: Often, these reasons overlap and/or are coupled with other factors. AND: Individual’s life trajectories need to be taken into consideration.

8. Results III: Negotiating Processes of Integration and Belonging
Social integration/belonging, e.g. establishing social networks and forming friendships with people living in Canada, is the most important factor for feeling integrated and at home in Canada.
Other factors: Satisfying job, fluency in the language(s), satisfying living situation.

9. Results III: Settling in and Finding a Home?
Support of partner and partner’s family.
Bureaucratic aspects, e.g. registering at different institutions  Ease and accessibility of Canadian services.
Taking initiative to get in contact with other people  Friendliness and approachability of Canadians & cycling group.
Accommodation & neighborhood.
BUT: Emotional boundary of being separated from family and friends in Germany.

10. Results III: Integration and Belonging at Work
Preparation for the new working environment: “[O]ne of the most essential skills is that you prepare yourself and engage with the cultural differences.”
More relaxed working atmosphere in Canada which is more open to innovation and new ideas.
Working in a culturally diverse team.
Better work-life balance in Canada.

11. Results III: (Social) Integration and Belonging
“The social component is the most important aspect of integration, because everything else is only a tool for keeping society functional. If social relations don’t exist, everything else, starting from garbage collection to the police is superfluous. I think that the aspect of cultural exchange and the exchange with people in your social environment are the most important aspects.”
AND
“As the majority of the population here are still immigrants, I think you’re automatically a part of Canada already when you arrive here.”

12. Conclusion
Importance of applying an individual perspective and of taking the life trajectories of individuals into consideration when studying migration and integration processes.
Social integration, i.e. feeling that one belongs to the place one is living = most important factor for my interviewees’ well-being and for them to feel at home.
Processes of belonging:
Finding people who share common interests, values and principles.
Identifying with the values of the society (openness to diversity, difference and change).
Creating contrasting images of Germany and Canada and attaching different symbolic values and meanings to both countries.

13. Thank you for your attention!!!!
Anke Patzelt
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies
University of Ottawa