Studying abroad in the Netherlands, a stepping stone for young Mexicans on the way to emigration to the Netherlands? An analysis of the representations of the self and the other and their influences during the migration process.

Abstract

This study focuses on the migration process that young Mexicans go through when deciding to study in the Netherlands and it investigates whether this experience is a stepping stone for young Mexicans to move permanently to the Netherlands. In a first part, they choose the Netherlands due to study-related features such as university ranking and courses. This part of the migration process is influenced by rational factors. In a second part, young Mexicans must decide whether to stay in the Netherlands or to go back to Mexico. This decision is led by emotional factors since their Mexican identity and the values that come with it (family, culture, food) are very important aspects for young Mexicans. When looking at the representations of the self and the other, the respondents of this study have rather ambiguous images of Mexico and the Netherlands. On one side, they seem to only identify with Mexico when looking at the positive aspects of their country (for example: culture) and they do not feel proud and do not identify with Mexican politics, economy or the health care system. On the other side, they have a very positive image about the latter features when thinking of the Netherlands. The respondents state that they value the Dutch politics, economy and health care system. Nevertheless, the image about the Dutch culture and gastronomy is rather negative. The representations of the self and the other thus complement each other in most aspects. However, these representations have no significant influence on the first phase of the migration process, when almost only rational factors are considered, but they do have an important influence on the second phase. Since the respective representations are ambiguous, respondents are very indecisive in their choice whether to stay in the Netherlands or go back to Mexico.