Public and private views of home: will Western Samoan migrants return?

Abstract

Mobility exposes migrants to new cultural and social experiences. These experiences, together with newly acquired skills, may represent a valuable resource for the country of origin, but there is always the possibility that such experiences may have an impact on migrant identity in relation to the land of birth. Samoan migrants in New Zealand are publicly positive about Western Samoa, and at first glance these new experiences appear to have little impact on their identity and their commitment to the homeland. Yet closer examination suggests that this public identity and display of commitment may mask real reservations about Western Samoa, which in turn influence the probability of return in unanticipated ways. -Author