Globalization promotes immigration?
March 12, 2008
Natalie Leoganda
Many people view globalization as the process of a shrinking and homogenizing world. I disagree. When I think about globalization, I think of the hybridization of shared cultures and an expansion of the world. My immigration experience has shown me this.
One effect of globalization is increased media. This has enabled the sharing of cultures and opportunities through books, news reports and movies. Twenty years ago, my family and I immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong. Before immigrating, my parents had done extensive research through media on the different opportunities and education offered in both Canada and the U.S. The media also expands the world to prospective immigrants by making different possibilities accessible to them.
Another aspect of globalization is improved communication. It is now possible for immigrants to remain in contact with their loved ones through the telephone, email and instant messaging. One of my mom’s sisters immigrated to Canada after hearing positive reports about the culture from my mom.
Don’t forget transportation. Since the invention of airplanes, there have been a growing number of people choosing to immigrate. Airplanes allow us to travel the ocean in a matter of hours instead of weeks by ship. This is the method of travel my parents and I used to move to Canada and continue to use to visit Hong Kong. Rapid transportation has expanded the world to many for exploration or immigration.
It is expected that upon arrival in a new culture, the immigrant will adapt and integrate into that culture. However, many immigrants are able to find others of a similar culture or language. They are able to maintain their own cultural values while adapting to the host culture. I, for example, am considered by many to be North American, not Asian. Yet, I have discovered through living with North American roommates that I am more Asian than many people realize. This is because my parents and I settled in Richmond, BC, which has been noted by some to be “the new Chinatown” of the Lower Mainland.
Furthermore, in response to multiculturalism, there are many other ethnic groups residing in Richmond; you can find many restaurants from different ethnicities. Through this, the culture is being shared and multiculturalism is promoted as non-Asians partake in Asian activities or eat Asian foods. Also, the ability to continue traditions of ones culture has prompted many immigrants to choose to stay where they are and declare permanency or extend their stay.
Globalization has increased immigration by bringing together different cultures and expanding the world. In addition, media, communication and transportation have increased the chances of immigration. And the cultural communities formed by immigrants in their new countries have helped them decide to stay where they have landed.
Now you go...
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