Intentions and imaginations of migration among minority group members in the pre-migration phase A study of migration imaginations in Estonia and Italy

This dissertation investigates the intentions and imaginations of migration of minority groups in the pre-migration phase and their identification and self-categorization during this time. The data was collected prior the actual move and the study aims to look beyond the scope of ethnic return migration literature and explore minority migration in its multiple shapes. A multiple case study with a mixed model design and grounded theory was conducted using two cases: Estonia and Italy. Estonia is a country with a significant minority group of Russophones which is the first group of interest in this thesis. Italy on the other hand has a region in the north, namely South Tyrol, with a considerable German speaking population; which will serve as a second case study. The quantitative and qualitative questionnaire was distributed among last year High School students in 2020 in Estonia and 2021 in Italy which led to a total of (N=151) participants in Estonia and (N=90) participants in South Tyrol. The analysis shows a higher probability of minority group members to migrate in both case studies, however not connected to ethnic return migration intentions. The main reasons for migration intentions are the divisions of societies and the lack of feeling of belonging of minority group members, as well as the imagination of a good community in the destination country. Looking at the self-identification of the participants, minority group members prefer a combined identity of their ethnic, national and the European identity, while majority group members favour solely the national identity. However, the European identity can function as an umbrella category and combine both groups. Future studies could explore the relationship between the imagination of migration and actual migration behaviours, as well as the long-term outcomes of migration for minority groups.