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Expatriate Childhood: Children's Experiences of Temporary Migration

This ethnographic study investigates 8-15-year old expatriate children in Finland. The study asks how the children experience their lifestyle that includes frequent transnational mobility. What kind of lives do they lead? How do they negotiate their identities and place within the current system of nation states? The project investigates the children’s lives and views, develops theory on transnational mobility and child migration, and produces information for policy-makers, teachers, expatriate families and children. Research material includes field diaries on participant observation, interviews, and visual data produced together with the children.

Background

Increasing numbers of skilled professionals move to work in Finland, and their skills and expertise are very welcome. Often, they are accompanied by their spouses and children but we know very little of their experiences. 

Funding source

Academy of Finland

Coordinating organisation

Tampere University

People

Contact persons

mari.korpela [at] tuni.fi