Narratives of Leaving and Returning to Homeland: The Example of Greek Brain Drainers Living in the UK

Abstract

Narratives of why people migrate can be primarily associated with the study of migration in terms of people’s drivers of leaving and returning to homeland. Greek people have been very familiar with the idea of leaving as well as returning home, throughout modern Greek history; yet, due to the ongoing Greek crisis and prolonged austerity, a new migration wave has been formed associated with young professionals and scientists (brain drainers). This study utilises the qualitative collection and analysis of 31 narrative interviews contacted with Greek brain drainers currently living in the UK, in an attempt to examine, understand, and explain the drivers of leaving and returning to homeland. We argue that factors leading to the decision of leaving as well as the consideration (or hesitation) of returning are associated with (a) macro-factors relating to the socio-economic situation of the origin country (associated with the eliminating economic and personal development) as well as (b) powerful drivers of enduring cultural and social mentalities, associated with a mosaic of distinctive norms formed and established beyond the Greek crisis.

Emerging from the global syndemic crucible: Finding belonging in a post corona future

“…An ensuing economic syndemic was highlighted and tied to past uncertainties, precarity, and liminality (Sools et al, 2017). Nevertheless, the emigration narratives that dominated in previous crises ( Chalari & Koutantou, 2021 ) did not appear to occupy the letter writers' psyches. Belonging and seeking refuge in the country's natural world and one's humanness were tied to the syndemic's ethical imperatives.…”

“…Greece, and its citizens, are no strangers to crises. Only recently had the Southern European nation begun to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, which struck Greece disproportionately harder than its neighbours in Europe ( Kondilis et al, 2013 ) prompting young people to contemplate emigrating ( Chalari & Koutantou, 2021 ). The country emerged from the financial crisis only to find itself confronted by yet another crisis, one which would test both its financial and moral mettle: the 2015 migrant crisis ( Moris & Kousoulis, 2022 ).…”