Managing and imagining migration: The role of Facebook groups in the lives of “new” Italian migrants in Australia

Abstract

This thesis explores the role that Facebook groups play in the lives of the so called “new” wave of Italian migrants in Australia both pre- and post-migration. Over the last decade, especially since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, large numbers of young Ita¬lians have been arriving in Australia, however little is known about their migratory experiences. Similarly, while scholars in the field of technology and migration have shown that online communication can facilitate the process of migration, it is still unclear whether it can also influence migrants’ expectations before they have even left their home countries. Therefore, in order to elucidate whether – ¬and how – Facebook groups shape pre-migration expectations and subsequent post-migration experiences, two data sources have been employed: a thematic analysis of the wallposts made to three public, user-created Facebook groups dedicated to “new” Italians in Australia, and in-depth interviews with members of these groups. Findings show that these Facebook groups are online communities where “new” Italian migrants come together at various stages of the migration process in order to prepare for, manage and imagine the experience of migrating to Australia. By joining Facebook groups prior to migrating, “new” Italian migrants can gain access to social support, relevant, practical information, and insider knowledge about how to prepare for everyday life in Australia and what to expect upon arrival. Likewise, belonging to Facebook groups can help “new” Italian migrants manage their post-migration experiences by providing them with opportunities for employment and socialisation, and for regaining social capital. Overall, the first-hand migration stories and images posted by those already in Australia construct a hyper-reality, that is, a space or window for pre-migrants to imagine what it is like to be an Italian migrant in Australia today and, in turn, shape realistic expectations