How do the Romanians Experience the Process of Transnationalism? Canada and the UK Compared

Abstract

The rapid improvement of technologies and communication has made it easier for migrants to maintain close links with their country of origin. Given the lack of empirical investigation on transnationalism, this comparative study argues that this process can be better understood by focusing on the experience of migrants. Using a sample of 27 participants from Canada and the UK, it has been found that transnationalism can be seen in terms of materiality and emotions. Factors such as length of stay, marital status and the national institutional context play an important role in the development and sustainability of transnationalism. However, they do not prevent the process from occurring, but rather change its practice. In that respect, the participants from Canada are likely to experience material transnationalism, while the participants from the UK tend to live the process of transnationalism in an affective form.