The emigree is a type of narrative essay in which a person or group of people leaves their home country in search of a better life The author looks back on this experience from the perspective of years later and reflects on the motivations, emotions, hardships, and successes that accompanied the journey. This form of essay allows for a unique and personal exploration of topics related to displacement, social and cultural divisions, and political and economic crises. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity to endure and overcome life’s challenges.
1. Rohingya Refugees: A case of displacement and xenophobia. The Rohingya are a minority Muslim ethnic group in Myanmar (formerly Burma), who have been systematically denied basic human rights and subject to mass atrocities. As a result, over 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh seeking safety and a better life. An emigree essay on this topic could explore the layers of political, economic, and cultural complexity of this scenario, as well as how it reflects broader issues of displacement and the refugee crisis.
2. Meandering Through Mexico: A young man’s journey to America. Following a tragedy in his home country of El Salvador, a young man undertakes a dangerous trek to the United States. Along the way he grapples with intense physical and emotional exhaustion, uncertainly and fear, extreme weather and landscapes, as well as moments of unexpected kindness and compassion. In an emigree essay about this journey, the author could reflect on the lessons of resilience and hope he learned along the way.
3. Immigration to the UK: The story of the Windrush Generation. After World War II, hundreds of thousands of people from the Caribbean moved to the United Kingdom in search of a better life. This period of mass immigration was known as the Windrush Generation and was seen as a “great success” in deciding the UK’s postwar identity. An emigree essay on this topic could explore the motivations of these individuals, the challenges they faced in resettlement, and the legacy of this generation in Britain.
4. Jewish Exodus from Europe: A story of survival and renewal. For centuries, the Jewish people have been subjected to persecution and discrimination in Europe. During the Holocaust, millions of Jews were killed or forced to flee. This form of mass displacement led to the establishment of the State of Israel and a new era of Jewish self-determination. An emigree essay on this topic could look at the struggles endured by these individuals and the courage and resilience it took for them to recreate their lives in a new land.
5. Journey to a New Home: Tales of Syrian Refugees. In 2011, a civil war broke out in Syria, causing an unprecedented refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and a better life. An emigree essay on this topic could focus on the journey of a family or individual, exploring the struggles they had to face, the courage they demonstrated and the lessons they learned along the way.