Beyond the Seams: Un/Belonging and the Migrant Experience

Within the context of contemporary migration, experiences of un/belonging are multidimensional, at times ambivalent, and often involve negotiation processes that are changing, relational, polymorphous, and performed contextually in interactions with others. This essay explores the complex and multifaceted nature of un/belonging, drawing on the lived experiences of a Polish migrant woman and researcher. Challenging traditional notions of objectivity, the chapter argues that subjectivity and personal experiences can enrich research, offering valuable insights into the dynamic negotiations of belonging and difference. In this piece, the author examines how experiences of un/belonging are shaped by intersecting identities and power dynamics, highlighting the fluid, ambiguous, and context-dependent nature of these processes. Drawing on my own positionality as a migrant and researcher, this chapter explores the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating multiple spheres of belonging and difference. This includes the role of language, accent and cultural adaptation in shaping perceptions of belonging and otherness.