Identity benchmarks and reintegration issues of return migration

Abstract

Return migration can be understood provided that the causes of emigration, either economic, political, family reunification or other, are known. Return migration can be triggered by political regime changes in the destination country, reduction in job opportunities and possibly economic changes that lead to low incomes for the work performed. Return migration can also be caused by the fulfillment of the objectives in the destination country or by a change in the economic situation in the country of origin. The emigrant is subjected to transformation processes in the country of migration. As a result, he undergoes a series of socioeconomic and identity changes that are noticed in his attitude, behavior and mentality after the return to the home country. The reintegration process in the home country can be quick or slow, depending on the changes experienced by the emigrant. The experience in the country of migration either can create difficulties in readaptation of the emigrant, or can contribute to personal, family and professional development. By employing case study as a research method, the present paper highlights the difficulties met by emigrants after returning to the home country and the ways of addressing them throughout the reintegration process, using in certain situations aspects learned and assimilated in the country of migration.