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

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  • Athanasia Chalari

    (University of Tokyo, Japan; University of Northampton, UK)

  • Efi-Irini Koutantou

    (University of Essex, 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Athanasia Chalari & Efi-Irini Koutantou, 2021. "Narratives of Leaving and Returning to Homeland: The Example of Greek Brain Drainers Living in the UK," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 26(3), pages 544-561, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:26:y:2021:i:3:p:544-561
    DOI: 10.1177/1360780420965981
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lois Labrianidis, 2014. "Investing in Leaving: The Greek Case of International Migration of Professionals," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 314-335, May.
    2. Athanasia Chalari & Panagiota Serifi, 2018. "The ‘Crisis Generation’: the effect of the Greek Crisis on Youth Identity formation," GreeSE – Hellenic Observatory Papers on Greece and Southeast Europe 123, Hellenic Observatory, LSE.
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