Migration has taken place for centuries, with people from all over the globe choosing to leave their home country in search of a better life in a faraway land. Although the media often portrays only the negative aspects of migration, it actually offers far more benefits than many people realise. Countries that receive migrants benefit from cultural diversity, from economic growth, and from having extra workers to perform labour-intensive jobs. Those that leave their country often benefit from better jobs and living conditions, and there are many different reasons that compel people to make the change.
Education
The main building of Cardiff University
People living in developed countries often take their educational system for granted. Many students travel across the world in order to study and to use their degree to get a better job in their home country. Third world countries often have a poor education system, and many parents prefer to send their children to countries such as England, America or France to complete their education. Other people simply decide to study in a foreign country in order to gain valuable life skills, such as independence and confidence while studying. Many students choose to house-share when studying in foreign countries, to split the cost of rent, and estate agents such as StrattonCreber.co.uk can help with suitable accommodation for students.
Economic Reasons
Perhaps the most common reason that people choose to migrate is to escape poverty. The ratio of the average income of the world’s richest countries to the poorest is a staggering 100:1, making migration an attractive option for those struggling to survive. The vast majority of people who migrate to other countries in search of work will send money home to their families, and countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, and The Republic of Moldova receive almost 20% of their GDP from money sent home by nationals outside of the country.
Cave churches at Old Orhei
Marriage
Visitors to foreign lands can occasionally fall in love with more than just their surroundings. Many people have decided to follow their heart and migrate to another country in order to be with a loved one. Tourists that visit exotic lands might fall in love with a local and decide to relocate, or a couple might just decide to start their new lives in a different country. Same sex couples might also choose to move to a different country that allows them to get married if their own country forbids it. The internet has made it easier than ever for those in different parts of the world to meet and fall in love, and 17% of couples that got married in 2015…met each other online.
Safety
Unfortunately, a large percentage of those who choose to migrate do so in order to protect themselves or their family. People that have lost their homes due to war or environmental factors such as earthquakes or floods could seek asylum in neighbouring countries, or those that offer help. Other people might be persecuted due to their race, religion or political beliefs and need to flee their country to avoid violence. Those in poorer countries might not have access to adequate healthcare and would consequently need to travel in order to receive surgery, medication or some other form of life-saving treatment. Usually the people who need to migrate for safety reasons are forced to enter another country illegally because they cannot afford to wait for a travel visa. Entering a country illegally often entails a lot of danger, and thousands of people have lost their lives or ended up in deportation centres having attempted to cross borders illegally.
A Change Of Scene
Sometimes people choose to migrate simply to experience another way of life, and large countries such as England and America have whole communities of migrants that prefer to live in a foreign land. Some parents choose to raise their children in English-speaking countries, since they believe it will afford them more opportunities once they are older. Others simply like the climate, government and way of life in a foreign country, and prefer to make their home there.
Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco as seen from Yerba Buena Island
If you are thinking of migrating to a foreign country, it is advisable to perform a little research before deciding exactly where you will live. Foreign countries have different laws, customs and traditions that you may not be familiar with, and these could make it difficult for you to settle into your new home if you are not prepared for them. Visiting your chosen country for an extended vacation is the best way to decide if it will make a suitable home for you, and will give you time to enquire about suitable housing and employment for the future.
Photo Credits
The main building of Cardiff University – Wikimedia Public Domain
Cave churches at Old Orhei – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco as seen from Yerba Buena Island – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Guest Author Bio
Brandon Lynch
Brandon Lynch provides relocation services and understands the various reasons why people decide to migrate. He likes to share his ideas with an online audience and writes for a variety of relevant websites.
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