Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom

In the context of global migration, the Malaysian diaspora in the United Kingdom offers a lens through which to explore the complexities of identity formation and the yearning for belonging in diasporic spaces. This growth is driven by individuals and families seeking new opportunities in education,...

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Main Author: Helena Francis Granger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Université de Poitiers 2025-05-01
Series:Cahiers du MIMMOC
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/mimmoc/12904
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author Helena Francis Granger
author_facet Helena Francis Granger
author_sort Helena Francis Granger
collection DOAJ
description In the context of global migration, the Malaysian diaspora in the United Kingdom offers a lens through which to explore the complexities of identity formation and the yearning for belonging in diasporic spaces. This growth is driven by individuals and families seeking new opportunities in education, employment, or lifestyle changes. However, migration presents challenges such as finding a sense of belonging, yearning for home, and creating diasporic spaces. This study explores the complex experiences of Malaysians in the UK, emphasising border crossings and hybrid identities within the diaspora, focusing on how they reinterpret homeland and navigate complex cultural dynamics in a transnational context. Using a qualitative approach, the research gathers data through in-depth interviews with first-generation Malaysian immigrants in the UK. This methodology provides a clearer understanding of their lived experiences and perspectives. The research aims to enrich knowledge on migration, diaspora, and transnationalism by highlighting identity negotiation, the emotional dimensions of yearning for home, and strategies to create and maintain diasporic spaces. Findings reveal that Malaysians in the UK negotiate a convoluted relationship with their home country, experiencing both a yearning for their roots and challenges of assimilation. The study highlights the role of community networks and cultural events in fostering a sense of belonging and cultural connection to Malaysia.
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spelling doaj-art-cd2b165141c9466cba1cdd6d57c76f212025-08-20T03:23:23ZengUniversité de PoitiersCahiers du MIMMOC1951-67892025-05-013110.4000/1406zTranscending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United KingdomHelena Francis GrangerIn the context of global migration, the Malaysian diaspora in the United Kingdom offers a lens through which to explore the complexities of identity formation and the yearning for belonging in diasporic spaces. This growth is driven by individuals and families seeking new opportunities in education, employment, or lifestyle changes. However, migration presents challenges such as finding a sense of belonging, yearning for home, and creating diasporic spaces. This study explores the complex experiences of Malaysians in the UK, emphasising border crossings and hybrid identities within the diaspora, focusing on how they reinterpret homeland and navigate complex cultural dynamics in a transnational context. Using a qualitative approach, the research gathers data through in-depth interviews with first-generation Malaysian immigrants in the UK. This methodology provides a clearer understanding of their lived experiences and perspectives. The research aims to enrich knowledge on migration, diaspora, and transnationalism by highlighting identity negotiation, the emotional dimensions of yearning for home, and strategies to create and maintain diasporic spaces. Findings reveal that Malaysians in the UK negotiate a convoluted relationship with their home country, experiencing both a yearning for their roots and challenges of assimilation. The study highlights the role of community networks and cultural events in fostering a sense of belonging and cultural connection to Malaysia.https://journals.openedition.org/mimmoc/12904transnationalismdiasporaidentity transformationyearning to belonghybrid identities
spellingShingle Helena Francis Granger
Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
Cahiers du MIMMOC
transnationalism
diaspora
identity transformation
yearning to belong
hybrid identities
title Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
title_full Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
title_fullStr Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
title_short Transcending Borders: Yearning to Belong and Homeland Reinterpretation in Diasporic Spaces among Malaysians in the United Kingdom
title_sort transcending borders yearning to belong and homeland reinterpretation in diasporic spaces among malaysians in the united kingdom
topic transnationalism
diaspora
identity transformation
yearning to belong
hybrid identities
url https://journals.openedition.org/mimmoc/12904
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