Title   Percursos de integração dos novos fluxos de migrantes portugueses no Cantão de Zurique: estratégias e desafios (Original)
Integration pathways for new flows of Portuguese migrants in the Canton of Zurich: strategies and challenges (EN)
Author   Maria Carolina da Cunha Pinto
Advisor  Ana Paula Beja Horta
Year  2023
Institution  Open Universitry (Universidade Aberta)
Degree  PhD
Area  Intercultural Relations
Keywords  Portuguese migration, Integration, Integration trajectories, Switzerland
URI  http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/13681

Abstract

The current study attempts to map, understand, and analyse the integration trajectory of new flows of Portuguese migrants in Switzerland, in the Canton of Zurich, from their self-perceptions. As an empirical starting point, we relied on a mixed methodology that combined different data collection tools such as the questionnaire survey applied in several social networks, the autobiographical interviews conducted with the migrants, and the semi-structured interviews not only to Facebook group administrators but also to social agents with ties to Swiss and Portuguese institutions. The main results revealed a diversity of profiles and structural changes at the level of qualifications, in which migrants with higher education qualifications are more prevalent. The majority of the Portuguese start their integration pathway through work. The strategy for a successful integration has as a fundamental pillar: the Portuguese family and friends’ networks already established in Switzerland. These form the basis for the migratory project and, subsequently, for the integration process as well. In turn, the networks of Swiss and foreign colleagues contribute not only to their socio-cultural integration, but also to their professional mobility. According to their self-perceptions, it is in the linguistic dimension that initially migrants experienced the most difficulties. In view of the empirical evidence, it is concluded that the Portuguese who migrated to the Canton of Zurich, in the time arc 2013-2019, consider themselves well integrated into Swiss society, making a positive balance of their integration in this destination geography.