MEXICANS IN DENMARK: MOTIVATIONS TO LEAVE MEXICO, CONNECTIONS TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND SETTLEMENT IN HOST COUNTRY

Vega Estrada, Eliselda ; Starzynska, Pola

4. term

Global Refugee Studies, Master

2023

2023-05-31

58

This thesis examines the relatively small Mexican diaspora in Denmark. It seeks to understand why some Mexicans leave Mexico and settle in Copenhagen, how they maintain ties to their homeland, and how they integrate into Danish society. The study uses semi-structured interviews and interpretive approaches: hermeneutics (interpreting the meaning in participants’ accounts) and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, IPA (an in-depth analysis of personal experiences). Based on these methods, it identifies patterns and develops a theoretical framework that brings together concepts such as transnationalism (living across borders), security, fear of crime, social identity, and diaspora. The findings are placed in the contemporary Mexican context of insecurity and ongoing violence, and background information is complemented by demographic data on Mexicans in Denmark provided by the Mexican Embassy in Denmark. The study adds valuable insight to an area with limited research on Mexicans migrating to Europe, particularly to Denmark.

Denne afhandling undersøger den relativt lille mexicanske diaspora i Danmark. Formålet er at forstå, hvorfor nogle mexicanere forlader Mexico og bosætter sig i København, hvordan de bevarer bånd til hjemlandet, og hvordan de finder sig til rette i det danske samfund. Undersøgelsen bygger på semi-strukturerede interviews og fortolkende metoder: hermeneutik (at tolke meningen i deltagernes fortællinger) og Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, IPA (en dybdegående analyse af personlige erfaringer). På den baggrund identificeres mønstre og udvikles en teoretisk ramme, der samler begreber som transnationalisme (at leve på tværs af landegrænser), sikkerhed, frygt for kriminalitet, social identitet og diaspora. Afhandlingen sætter fundene ind i den nutidige mexicanske kontekst med manglende sikkerhed og vedvarende vold og supplerer baggrundsviden med demografiske oplysninger om mexicanere i Danmark fra Mexicos ambassade i Danmark. Studiet bidrager med vigtig viden på et område, hvor der findes begrænset forskning om mexicanere, der migrerer til Europa—særligt til Danmark.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

Mexicans in Denmark ; Sense of identity ; Fear of crime ; Ontological Security ; Mexican diaspora ; Diaspora in Denmark

Download PDF
View record in AAU Student Projects