Cristóbal Mendoza

Exploring methods and techniques for the analysis of senses of place and migration

The debate on ‘sense of place’ has been widespread in geography since the mid-1970s, yet with few exceptions the analytical potential of this concept has not been fully realized as far as the study of migration movements is concerned. A major reason for this has been methodology, or specifically the difficulties in capturing and evaluating the relevance of ‘place’ for migration processes. From a multidisciplinary standpoint, the article assesses the potential of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and also identifies several conflicting aspects that arise when analysing senses of places and international migration, such as ‘scale’, ‘representation’, ‘sensibilities’ and ‘consciousness’.

Beyond the Expat Bubble: Migration and Labor Incorporation of Spanish Skilled Immigrants in Mexico

This chapter analyzes and compares the labor incorporation of expatriates and other skilled workers in Mexico, using 50 semi-structured interviews with Spanish immigrants working for private companies. By comparing these two groups, the chapter explores four aspects that have been marginal in the literature on expatriates. First, it addresses the role of Mexico as permanent destination for these professionals, in a context of increasing globalization and economic crisis. Second, it traces the role of the Mexican state in migration and the recent changes in its policy, in order to understand current migration flows. Third, the chapter exposes the variety in working and hiring conditions for skilled Spanish immigrants in Mexico, suggesting a more complex view of their labor incorporation. Finally, it tackles labor conflicts between immigrants and nationals, a relatively less frequently explored aspect in the literature. These conflicts could be considered minor, but they are of the utmost importance for some professionals who expressed their intention to go back to Spain because they do not feel integrated in Mexico’s labor culture.

Southern Europe skilled migration into Mexico: the impact of the economic crisis

ABSTRACT The paper analyses the reasons why highly skilled immigrants from Italy and Spain migrate to Mexico and their patterns of incorporation into the countrys workforce. Specifically, it explores the dynamics of local labour markets, possible niches for qualified workers, and the mechanisms granting immigrants access to technical and managerial posts in Mexico. Based on a comparative approach, it analyzes the similarities and differences between Italians and Spaniards in Mexico and compares flows before and during/after the 2008 economic crisis to see how relevant the crisis is to an understanding of current migration flows.

Student on the Move: Academic Career and Life Transitions of Foreign PhD Students in Barcelona (Spain)

This chapter focuses on PhD students’ mobility and migration, a relatively unexplored topic in literature. Specifically it revolves around the motivations and expectations of 27 young PhD students at Catalan universities, their reasons for migration, their personal and labour transitions, their evaluation of the migration process and the role of the city of Barcelona as an attractive place for living and studying. Perhaps unexpectedly, migration motivations are not always associated with a clear decision to do a doctorate, but they relate to other reasons, such as the attractiveness of the city of Barcelona. Arrival in Barcelona is a point of rupture which, in some cases, coincides with leaving the family home. Thus, there are complex multiple processes associated with migration: emancipation from family, entry into a doctorate and adaptation to a new country. From that perspective, the city is perceived as a vital kaleidoscope with multiple edges that allows for a wide variety of experiences and exchanges. The chapter so analyses the use and appropriation of everyday spaces of students, in the framework of a temporary migration. Since migration occurs in a crucial time in their lives corresponding to a learning period in a city with different potentialities and constraints from their place of origin, immigrants’ everyday practices and experiences may be “released” in a new territory. This positive scenario becomes gloomy and dark for the future due to the lack of opportunities in Catalan universities (yet it is accepted that geographical mobility is a feature of the current university job market).