‘Coming from Abroad’: Exploring Romanian Migrants’ Transnational Social Networks through the Prism of Temporary Return

Abstract

Return features heavily in the narratives and lives of Romanian immigrants in London, as a key topic of debate rather than a mere end goal of their migration. By analysing their experiences of temporary return, this paper1 reveals the tensions and contradictions embedded in migrants’ transnational social networks. It applies a two-fold focus: first examining the importance of return for Romanians in London; then considering how experiences of temporary return shape migrants’ social networks. The paper is based on data from my scoping doctoral fieldwork, five weeks of participant observation and interviews with Romanians in northwest London. Key words: migration, Romania, transnationalism, return, social networks.