Transnationals and the “Wall of Czechness”: expats and their self-perception in the Czech Republic.

Abstract

Transnationals. Mobile professionals. Privileged migrants. Expatriates. Expats. These labels are all used to describe one set of people, a group of migrants that arguably do not receive as much attention as other migrant groups in current academic literature. Whilst much of the focus in academic literature is focused on illegal migration, it is important to note that these current studies on migration give a “…skewed notion of ‘who migrants are’, leading to rather particular and limited notions of migration processes as a whole”. In the article authors address the topic of expats and migrants living in Prague, Czech Republic. First part of the article offers an overview of who expatriates are, as well as where this group fits in the context of migration and tourist studies. Empirical part of article provides outcomes of the series of interviews with expats and migrants reflecting on their role and their place in the Czech society, the role Czech language plays in their lives.