Personal Migration and Cross-Cultural Experience: A Sociological Perspective in the Context of Globalization
In the context of increasing globalization, individual migration has become a phenomenon that significantly impacts the modern social structure. This process not only affects migrants’ economic and social status but also compels them to continually reconstruct their cultural identity and engage in cross-cultural interactions. Through an analysis of my journey from Bremen, Germany, back to China via land, I will explore issues of cultural marginalization, transnational interaction, and identity formation within the complex global political landscape.
Earlier this year, I was introduced to Wang Xu, the director of an art space, and visited their exhibition. The space offered not only a large and well-equipped physical environment but also displayed openness and inclusivity towards cultural projects. When I proposed returning to China by land from Germany and using this journey as the basis for an art exhibition, Wang Xu showed great interest. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the plan—such as visa issues and the geopolitical risks posed by the war in Russia—they chose to support the project, believing that my experiences during the trip would contribute a unique perspective to the exhibition. This trust exemplifies a form of social collaboration within the arts, demonstrating a shared expectation for cultural migration and cross-border exchanges, even in the face of uncertainty.
As the migration process unfolded, I gradually realized that the most profound experiences were not the shifts in geographic space but the deep interactions with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. These encounters shed light on the issues of identity reconstruction and cultural marginalization that migrants face in a globalized context. For instance, during a seven-hour wait at the Narva border crossing between Estonia and Russia, I witnessed firsthand how the closing of national borders during wartime affects ordinary citizens. A young Russian man, Alexey, who had emigrated to Sweden at the age of 15, was now returning to Russia to visit his family despite the difficulties posed by the war. He lamented, “This damned war—it’s not what we wanted. The international community has blocked everything for us.” His experience reflects the significant socio-economic and psychological pressures that war and international sanctions impose on individuals in the globalized world. War not only divides geographic spaces but also severs cultural and social ties between migrants and their homelands, pushing them into cultural marginalization and economic isolation.
During the subsequent journey within Russia, I further experienced the challenges of cross-cultural communication, deepening my reflection on cultural identity and marginalization. On the train, I met a young man who spoke basic English and German. Although his appearance suggested East Asian or Korean heritage, his native language was Russian. Through our conversation, I learned that he was a descendant of Korean immigrants who were relocated by the Soviet Union to Kazakhstan during World War II. His situation revealed the long-term impact of state-led migration on individual cultural identity. He exists between multiple cultures but struggles to fully integrate into any of the cultural spaces to which he is connected. In the context of globalization, he expressed a desire to move to Germany, but the current international situation has made it difficult for him to realize this dream. This conflict of identity, coupled with the global political and economic environment restricting migration freedom, highlights the limitations and dilemmas individuals face in cross-border movement in the globalized world.
Language barriers not only manifest in cross-national interactions but also impact migrants’ integration into local societies. In my conversation with an elderly Russian woman named Nina, I learned that she had previously studied and lived in Germany and maintained close ties with her German friends through online communication. Despite her advanced age, Nina was able to utilize globalized digital platforms to stay connected, shortening the geographic distance and enhancing her ability to engage in cross-cultural communication. Her experience demonstrates how technological advancements in the era of globalization enable individuals to maintain multiple cultural identities. However, the restrictions on technology in Russia (such as the inability to use international bank cards, maps, or apps) also reveal the negative impact that geopolitical conflicts can have on cross-cultural exchanges.
The experience with a young Mongolian-Russian man named Dima at the Ulan-Ude station further underscores the predicament of culturally marginalized individuals in the context of globalization. Despite his basic knowledge of English, Dima’s shyness prevented him from initiating conversation until a chance encounter during a rainstorm. This highlights how language, as a critical tool for social interaction, influences individuals’ social standing and capital in multicultural environments. Although our communication was limited, Dima’s enthusiasm in recommending local cuisine and sights demonstrated that cultural interaction does not always rely on language. Non-verbal communication also plays a key role in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
In summary, this journey from Germany back to China via land was not merely a geographical transition but also a profound observation of globalization, cultural identity, and marginalization. The cross-cultural interactions that occurred during the migration process revealed identity conflicts, the constraints of international politics on transnational interaction, and the experiences of marginalization within different social structures. Migration is not only a physical movement but also a process of social, cultural, and psychological reformation and reorientation. Through interactions with individuals from various cultural backgrounds, I gained insight into the survival strategies of migrants in complex social contexts and their adaptation to and resistance against the structures shaped by globalization. Each migration serves as an opportunity to reevaluate social norms, cultural boundaries, and personal identity. These experiences will continue to inspire my future research and artistic endeavors as I further explore the issues of migration in the context of globalization.
Jiale Wei
13.09.2024