“I’m in a grey zone”: A Narrative Analysis of Return Migration and Ethnic Identity in Mexico
“I’m in a grey zone”: A Narrative Analysis of Return Migration and Ethnic Identity in Mexico

Author(s): Irasema Mora Pablo
Subject(s): Migration Studies, Politics and Identity, Identity of Collectives, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: A Narrative Analysis of Return; Migration and Ethnic in Mexico; Migration; Ethnic; İdentity; Mexico;
Summary/Abstract: The complex socio-political relationship between Mexico and the United States has created for years the constant migration of Mexicans looking for the “American dream”. The present study initially started as an exploration of the lives of university students who were studying a BA in English language teaching (TESOL) and were trying to adapt to the Mexican educational system after living in the United States for many years. The theme of identity construction was at the core of the study, however, as more was revealed from their stories, other issues emerged from the data, such as ethnic identity, their experiences as transnationals, moving back and forth between Mexico and the United States, and how these experiences encouraged them to pursue a career in English language teaching. The data used for this chapter is part of a larger study of return migration and their incorporation into the Mexican educational system at the university level. This research seeks to explore the process of identity construction of students of a BA in TESOL in central Mexico who have had part of their schooling in the United States and have returned to Mexico. In order to do this, it is important to know more about the transnational experience of these students, how they interpret their past and current experiences and how they construct their future professional identity. Concepts such as transnationalism, return migration and ethnic identity will be defined. Then, the methodology that guided this study will be presented, followed by the discussion of results. Finally, conclusions will be provided, as well as comments and implications of this research.

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