The Allure of Abroad: British Emigration in the New Millennium

The Allure of Abroad: British Emigration in the New Millennium

Emerging on a grey, chilly day, throngs of individuals ranging in their thirties and forties trudge through the drizzle converging at an agricultural hall located on the outskirts of Coventry. They come together in search of something new, something exquisitely different and quite possibly, something exciting. I part with an £11 entrance fee and step into an entirely different world.

Inside, the atmosphere is transformed into an oasis of sunny optimism. Decorations feature elements of overseas cultures—proud maple-leaf flags flutter like cheery streamers above the gathered crowd, red, white and blue balloons vie for attention with inflatable kangaroos and surfboards. This sparkling interplay of colours and symbols denotes the presence of *Emigrate*, the UK's largest migration exhibition.

Hosted by a conglomerate of approximately sixty organisations, a wealth of financial advisers, real estate agents and immigration solicitors offer advice to the 7,000-strong audience. Their objective is clear—to provide guidance on migrating to high opportunity countries.

A Game of Points: Winning ‘the Golden Ticket’

I join a group of visitors eager to unlock the secret to attaining the elusive golden ticket: an Australian visa. We get comfortable and await the beginning of the game-show-like assembly. A cheerful Australian migration lawyer takes centre stage, playing up the coveted prize—the opportunity to retire to a land of unending sunshine, surf, and camaraderie, a free pass to the laid-back, relaxed lifestyle synonymous with Australia. Once the visa has been granted, he reassures would-be emigrants, they're free to enjoy the luxuries of Down Under without the need to work. A tantalising prospect indeed!

But getting there, as I learn, is a game of points. Each country—Australia, New Zealand and Canada—has its own immigration policy, with varied point requirements determined by a list of preferred skills and professions. The conference's walls are plastered with posters highlighting each nation's skill sought-after, offering a sense of welcomed destiny to occupations as diverse as bee-keepers and hairdressers.

Yet, migration is not a static process. Needs change depending on the country's socio-economic condition. For instance, the influx of Chinese and Indian hairdressers to Australia last year altered the demand for hairdressing professionals, demonstrating the fluctuating nature of immigration point scoring.

Qualification for permanent residence often seems like a lottery, but a few constants exist across the board. Youth, English-language proficiency and a high educational level will invariably earn you more points when applying to any of these countries. Moreover, entrepreneurs looking to invest substantially in their new country are particularly welcome.

Dispelling Migration Myths: What Really Counts?

Myths about this point system pervade the exhibition floor. Ben Willis, a migration agent and lawyer, opts to demonstrate the common misconceptions surrounding migration. He invites a volunteer who believes himself to meet the 120-point requirement for Australian residency.

The volunteer, a confident engineer, soon becomes the victim of misinformation. When asked if he possesses a BSc in Engineering, he concedes that he instead has an MSc, acquired after a career change. This wrong turn has significant consequences. The lack of a BSc leaves him wanting for points, a surprise that causes visible dismay.

"Points don't come for granted," says Willis after this demonstration, a lesson to attendees not to make assumptions about the points system. Although tempers may grow high, he encourages the audience to persevere. Overcoming the hurdles of immigration will outweigh the trials and tribulations, he insists, before turning the conversation towards the tangible advantages of immigration.

Migration Stories: The Golden Promise

A selection of Britons who have successfully navigated the migration maze are introduced via video links, sharing their experiences and insights about settling down in their new countries. We are introduced to Maxine, a postgraduate in social work, who scored a "whopping" 79 points, making her very desirable in the eyes of the Canadian authorities.

These stories underline a key fact—emigration has become big business. More British citizens are choosing to emigrate. The majority of them seek out sunny Australia, while a significant number opted for sunny Spain and France in the EU, and for the opportunities present in the US.

Outward-facing Brits: Exploring the Migration Trend

A significant increase in aspiration to emigrate is apparent. This trend has slipped under the radar, overshadowed by the focus on non-British nationals coming to the UK. However, the reality is that Brits, both in the past and now, have a history of emigrating to places far and wide; this includes monarchical colonies like India, Australia, South Africa, and countries such as the United States, that have long held colonial connections with Britain.

This trend continues in the present, with the legacy of Britain's imperial era providing Brits with appealing destination options. Speaking to an Indian-British woman at the fair, I learn her family had uprooted from India and settled in Britain in the 1960s. She now seeks to migrate to Australia. Such cases support Professor Hammerton's view that British emigrants are continuing to benefit from the "colonial dividend", making use of common language and family connections in their choice of destination.

The Pros and Cons of Migration

The appeal of migration, however, does come with a sense of melancholy. Walking through the fair, surrounded by hundreds of people eager to leave the country, one does question the impetuses behind such a decision.

At the heart of emigration decisions are a set of nuanced reasons—house prices, tax rates, dissatisfaction from current political leadership, compared to the chance of starting anew in a whole different environment, among others. But beyond property and politics, the recurring theme among the would-be emigrants is a yearning for more ease and less stress. These potential emigrants think that moving abroad would grant them more balance in their lives, reduce stress and increase their overall quality of life.

Conclusion: Stress and the Migration Decision

Indeed, the current perception of Britain as a stress-prone society may have a definitive influence on the decision to migrate. Author David Wainwright and Michael Calnan describe stress as a "virulent epidemic" in British society. This pervasive feeling of being "stressed out" impacts how people regard work and perceive other countries as offering a more relaxed lifestyle. The desire to escape the pressures that come along modern British life is a highly influential driver of emigration.

Ultimately, the aspirations behind emigration are largely tied to the quest for an improved quality of life. It’s not merely about wealth, but a nuanced interplay of personal experiences, cultural factors, aspirations, and, yes, stress. The story of emigration then becomes perhaps less about leaving the known behind, but questing for the unknown—for sunnier climes, a slower pace of life, and a fresh start. As I leave the fair, I'm struck by the sheer determination of the crowd, their shared drive to seek out a better life. One can only wonder at what the next chapter of their stories will unfold.