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Structural ‘Borders’ and the Disillusioned Diasporic Self: An Analysis of the Post-Immigration Experiences of South Asian Skilled Immigrants in the Waterloo Region in Canada. Skilled Migration Flows and Borders in a Globalized World, Summer Institute Hari KC, Candidate, Global G overnance.
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Structural ‘Borders’ and the Disillusioned Diasporic Self: An Analysis of the Post-ImmigrationExperiences of South Asian Skilled Immigrants in the Waterloo Region in Canada Skilled Migration Flows and Borders in a Globalized World, Summer Institute Hari KC, Candidate, Global Governance
The issue examined Methodology Data collection The disillusioned self Some dominant themes Significance and future directions Outline
Although credentials and other immigration requisites ultimately allow South Asian immigrants to cross the geopolitical borders, the structural “borders” prevent them from integrating into the Canadian society and constantly thwart them and keep them in a state of perpetual limbo. Immigration not a one-time phenomenon Contd…
“Initially I did think that the people were very polite and the system was very supportive. As time went on, I began to realize that what is superficial isn’t the truth that is behind their appearance. Because it could be misleading although people may be welcoming, it doesn’t mean that you get what you want- could be volunteering job, or simple marketplace where you may not get what you want.” • “I had everything back home: I had a car and a driver always standby; I had a servant to cook food for me and wash my clothes.” The disillusioned self
Grounded theory method (Corbin and Strauss)– inductive approach; building theory method, not the “positivist” approach that verifies theory • Constructivist grounded theory (Kathy Charmaz): “co-construction” of meanings by researcher and participant Methodology
Qualitative data collected from 11 South Asian immigrants living in the city of Waterloo (Canada) through semi-structuredinterviews • Participants accessed through local community organizations and snowball sampling method Data collection
Acculturative Strategies of Parents and Children John W. Berry’s four model acculturation strategies
The diasporic self/subjectivity is disillusioned and conflicted; such conflicts are two-layered: the external conflict refers to the exteriorization of their strained/straining relationships while the internal refers to an inner conflict of the immigrant self. These two layers are though dialectical in nature, and each adds to the intensity of the other • Immigrants’ ambivalence and oscillation/ two extremes/ love-hate/fascination-repulsion Some dominant themes
The diasporic self/subjectivity is disillusioned and conflicted, resulting largely from various forms of racial and structural “borders” that the immigrants are forced to confront with upon their emigration to Canada. • Possibilities/risks depend on reconciling/resolving conflicts/contradictions Conclusion & future directions