Migration

Migration

Even though I have a Dutch passport, I still consider myself a foreigner as I was born in Singapore. The definition for foreigner given by the dictionary is: One who is from a foreign country or place. But to become a foreigner, you have to migrate. A subject which always creates discussion, especially when it comes to politics. But why do people migrate? And does migration cause problems?

People mainly migrate for money. My parents immigrated to Singapore in 1990, because my dad got a job there. Sixteen years and three kids later, my parents immigrated back to Holland, yet again for a job. This is very common. But something that is also very common is for people who have less, to immigrate to countries that are seen as wealthy. They see it as an option to find a job, but that’s almost never as easy as they had hoped. It’s tough to get a job, especially with the economy that we have these days, and for people with a low, or even no education, the search for a reasonable job can take years, or never even end.

But migration doesn’t only happen for work. There are also people who migrate for fun. Because they don’t enjoy living in their own country, or are just ready for something new, an adventure of some kind.

As you can see there are many different reasons to migrate. And though it doesn’t work out for everyone, most people seem to be content with their decision.

Sasha Brouwer

4vd