Why am I interested in COPLACDigital Voices of Migration?

I am interested in this course first and foremost because I find the migration experience fascinating, both in its own right, and as it relates to me and my ancestral history.  Some questions regarding causes of migration that I hope to explore in this course include: How do migration causes compare in different regions of the globe? What are the most universally prominent push and pull factors that influence people to migrate? How have migration patterns changed throughout the past century, in terms of both driving forces and locations?

I also hope to explore questions about the cultural experiences and transformations that migrants undergo, including: How are migrants’ customs lost, retained, and integrated into local culture throughout and following migration?  What sorts of cultural traditions and concepts do migrants lose when they settle in a new country, and what do they keep? Why do they lose some and keep others? How do some traditions mix with local ones and contribute to cultural hybridity, such as the “melting pot” that has constituted America’s cultural origins?

As a whole, I am excited to gain insight into a variety of intriguing first-hand accounts of migration, to take a stab at my first online course, to make an interesting and enjoyable website that will appeal to a broad audience, and to see how my project, as well as my classmates’ projects, develop!

3 thoughts on “Why am I interested in COPLACDigital Voices of Migration?”

  1. Asking why people migrate is such an important thing to do. As people who live in a stable developed country, I think we often assume we understand why people want to migrate to the U.S.A. However, I think we forget to ask why they need to leave their homes and the only country they have ever known. I also think it is really fascinating to learn about how migrants acclimate to their new surroundings. It is important to think about how they will make the journey of assimilation or acculturation because once they arrive in their destination country there migration story is not even close to over.

  2. Ryan,

    You bring up very important angles to explore, especially in regards to “American” identity and the impact of cultural ideals. I think it’ll be extremely interesting to perhaps gain insight into how region of residence impacts the assimilation process and, if so, to what degree. I’m eager to explore these issues together as the course progresses, and cannot wait to learn more from your perspective!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *