No place like home : a narrative inquiry Into stories of Maltese repatriates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain insight about the reacculturation process of Maltese repatriates on their return to their native country of Malta. The research questions posed during this study are: How do Maltese repatriates experience and interpret their reacculturation back into Maltese society after years of living abroad? And what do their stories reveal about the psychosocial context in which Maltese repatriates are able to reintegrate back into their native culture? The aim was to understand how Maltese repatriates make sense of their readjustment back to Maltese society, and also whether it has an affect on the individual’s sense of self and psychological well-being. In-depth, narrative interviews, with semi-structured questions, were carried out with four Maltese repatriates. Through thematic analyses, 5 main themes were identified: hindering reintegration; pathways towards reintegration; social networks; rediscovering Malta and the Maltese self. This study has shown that no matter the connection one retains with the native country, few are ever truly prepared for the reality of readjusting back into Maltese society. Even though the sample size is quite limited, this study sheds light on the reacculturation of Maltese repatriates.