Migration and the impact on the lives of young people

© UNHCR/Roger Arnold

  Migration has been a part of human history for centuries, but in recent times, it has become a more pressing issue due to a range of political, social, and economic factors. The impact of migration on the lives of young people is an increasingly important topic of discussion, as many young people are affected by the movement of people across borders.

  Whether it's through personal experience or indirect effects on their communities, migration can have a significant impact on the lives of young people, from their education to their cultural identity and mental well-being. That’s why in this blog post, we will explore the different ways in which migration can affect young people and the challenges they face when adapting to a new environment, using two brothers of different ages as an example.

  Growing up as siblings in the same household, it is common to have similar experiences that shape one's worldview. However, for these two brothers, their experiences were shaped by a common denominator that is not typical in most households: migration.

  The younger brother, having moved to a new country due to political, economic, and educational situations, has had to adapt to a new culture, language, and environment. On the other hand, the older brother, having moved to several different countries with his family, has had to learn different languages and adapt to various cultures throughout his childhood.

  In this blog post, we will delve into their personal experiences with migration and how it has impacted their lives as young people. We will hear from both brothers, one who sees migration as a positive experience and the other as a victim of it and thought their perspectives, we hope to gain insight into the complexities of migration and how it affects the lives of young people.

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Interviews 

Interviewee


 #1 
Maher Samara, the younger brother, was born in Venezuela and currently resides in Miami, where he is studying at the University of Florida.

• How has your experience been moving from countries, and would you say that you are a victim of immigration?

  The experience has been quite interesting when looking at it from an objective point of view; however, it is quite difficult and sometimes overwhelming to adapt to changes like culture, tradition, language, etc. As far as I am concerned, seeking the love of your family in other people (friends to be more specific) when moving to another country has impacted my interpersonal affairs.

  Yes, I do consider myself a victim of immigration as the cause of me moving to another country is due to the current political, economical, and educational situation of my home country where opportunities are no longer found; otherwise I would have stayed. 

• Indicate five or more negative aspects of moving completely from a city/country.

  I am unable to see any aspect negatively. It all ends up benefiting you somehow when properly analyzed. However, I would say that as a non-US citizen I have less privilege. 

• Indicate five or more positive aspects of moving completely from a city/country.

  Some positive aspects of moving from cities or countries are learning how to become self-dependent, learning from diversity and culture, meeting new people with different mindsets, and beliefs and of different backgrounds, learning how to budget and finance your own money and ultimately the expansion of your mind.

• How has this affected your school/academic life as a child, adolescent and young adult?

  I have had to learn many lessons by hard. Despite all the difficulties I’ve had to go through, it all serves as a lesson. I would say it is a great experience that will encourage your mind to expand.



Interviewee #2 
Samer Samara, the older brother, was also born in Venezuela and is a professional photographer. He currently resides in Venezuela, but for many years he spent most of his life between Venezuela and various Middle Eastern countries.


• How has your experience been moving from countries, and would you say that you are a victim of immigration?

  My experience moving to different countries was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience and full of experiences that have sculpted the person I am today regardless of my age, and yes, I consider myself a victim of inmigration, because if it weren’t for the economical and social situation of my home country, my parents wouldn’t have had the need to move away.

• Indicate five or more negative aspects of moving completely from a city/country.

  Many of those experiences have been challenging; to learn a new language forcefully, loneliness, culture change, discrimination and bullying. But not everything is negative.

• Indicate five or more positive aspects of moving completely from a city/country.

  After a while you learn a new language and with it slowly loneliness decreases, you learn to live a new life full of teachings, the great difference in life and suffering through different people opens your mind, and really gives you a better understanding of the world around you, and the people in it.

• How has this affected your school/academic life as a child, adolescent and young adult?

  Since I moved a lot when I was a child, my education was a bit of a mess, different educational systems, different teachers, and different contents in different languages, however, thanks to this I have a different knowledge than most people.

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  Migration is a complex issue that affects millions of people around the world. While the impact of migration is felt by individuals of all ages, it is particularly significant for young people, as highlighted by the two interviews above. Moving to a new country can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but it can also be a transformative and enriching one.

  In the first interview, the interviewee, Maher, describes the experience of moving to a new country as both interesting and difficult. He noticed that adapting to changes in culture, tradition, and language can be overwhelming. However, he also acknowledge the positive aspects of migration, such as the opportunity to learn from diversity and culture and the expansion of the mind.

  When asked about the negative aspects of moving to a new country, he hesitates to identify any specific aspects as negative, stating that "it all ends up benefiting you somehow when properly analyzed." However, he does acknowledge that as a non-US citizen, he has less privilege.

  In contrast, the interviewee in the second interview, Samer, identifies several negative aspects of moving to a new country, including learning a new language forcefully, loneliness, culture change, discrimination, and bullying. However, he also noticed that these challenges can be overcome with time and effort.

  On the positive side, both interviewees note the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, and gain a better understanding of the world around them. Maher notes that migration has taught him to become more self-dependent and to budget and finance their own money. He also notes that the experience has been a great lesson that encourages the mind to expand.

  Samer on the other hand, notes that migration has taught him resilience and independence, stating that "Many of those experiences have been challenging… but not everything is negative." He describes how learning a new language and living a new life full of teachings has helped him grow and develop as a person.

  Despite the challenges associated with migration, both interviewees ultimately see it as a positive experience. They acknowledge the difficulties and the need to adapt to a new environment, but they also see the opportunity for growth and learning that comes with the experience.

  In conclusion, the impact of migration on the lives of young people is complex and multifaceted. While there are certainly challenges associated with moving to a new country, there are also many positive aspects that can help young people grow and thrive. By acknowledging the challenges and creating supportive and inclusive communities, we can help young migrants build a better future for themselves and contribute positively to society.

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