Home away from home? Spanish immigrants in Germany : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Anthropology at Massey University

Abstract

This paper is based on my research among Spanish Immigrants in Germany. In-depth interviews, participant observation and a questionnaire were being used to explore, which meanings "home" can take on in the context of migrants' experiences in the migration process. Different aspects are considered, like background of the migration, development of long-term settlement, language and social networks to get an insight in the migrants' physical and emotional involvement in both, Germany and Spain. I argue that the experiences and concepts of home in this context do not have to be limited to either the country of origin or the country of destination, but can entail both. The preservation of Spain as the true homeland does not have to preclude an emergent sense of home in Germany at the same time. Furthermore, I propose that the physical as well as cognitive movement between both countries might be an integral part of the migrants' conception of home.