Feeling as a migrant even in my homeland : Living experiences of Albanian return migrants from Greece

Περίληψη

The fall of communism in Albania was followed by a massive movement of citizens towards western countries, where they settled for a better life. But after living abroad for many years, many Albanians have decided to return home. Although in many cases return was voluntary, some of the returnees want to migrate again, maybe permanently this time. Others move back and forth, spending only short periods of time abroad, when they are unemployed at home. The main aim of our research is to explore the experiences of Albanian returnees at their home country, their feelings about the decision to return, the difficulties of their reintegration in Albania, and how they perceive themselves in the Albanian society. We call it a re-integration because Albania is not the country that they left behind when they first migrated. It has changed the same way as other closed societies have, after they opened their borders. We also explore their first impressions and reactions when they settled in Albania, the way they perceive the Albanians who have never migrated, and whether migrating again is a possibility for the future.