The purpose of the essay has been to contribute to research by highlighting a part of the migration topic that has been somewhat overshadowed. The focus, instead of emigrants, has been on the people who re- immigrated to Sweden. The study is limited to two periods of time, 1891 – 1900 and 1901 – 1910, but also with a delimitation to the city of Skövde. The source material is based on summary population reports retrieved vis the Emiweb database but extracts from parish books and censuses from the National Archives (Riksarkivet) have also been used. The starting point for the qualitative elements has been in literature. Statistics have been compiled and presented in diagrams and tables, with an accompanying piece of text. In order to provide qualitative input to some of the re-immigrants, ten case studies have been conducted. Additional qualitative components are evident in the question of the connection between emigration, immigration and push and pull factors.  The result shows that there were more than double the number of re-immigrants to Skövde in the first period, with 125 people. The second period it was 53 people. The age, sex, marital status and occupation of the immigrants have been examined, and it was found that these largely correspond to the national pattern. Applicable push and pull factors it appeared to be mainly high and low economic cycles as important. Based on the literature used, it became clear how the economic cycles affected the relocation exchange. When times were worse on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, fewer emigrated and more re- immigrated. The main example of this is in 1894, when reimmigration was almost as high as emigration. More driving forces that are not infrequently mentioned are the letters sent between relatives and friends. Over time, it became increasingly common to also send pre-paid tickets home to Sweden, to get these people to move to America.

<p>Should I/we move abroad or not? This is a question that surely many of today’s expatriate Swedes asked themselves and was probably largely debated by most. How does is feel to move back to Sweden? I have chosen to contact a number of expatriate Swedes and some that have returned, in order to receive answers to these questions.</p><p>The aim with this thesis is to study the experiences and thoughts of people living in a different country as to were they were born and also those of people returning to Sweden. I have used a hermeneutic analytical method alongside a socio-psychological identity perspective when I studied the replies of my 69 respondents. The replies I have received are in a narrating format and I have treated them as qualitative information and not performed any statistical analysis.</p><p>I have found, among other things that most of them move abroad because they seek for adventure. When they have arrived and settled in their new country, many seek contact with other expatriate Swedes. They nurture the Swedish traditions and the Swedish language, and it is especially important if they have children. That one becomes “extra Swedish” abroad is confirmed by most and many compare “the new ways” with “the old ways” in Sweden. To find new friends can be very difficult in the beginning and many miss a close friend that they had in Sweden before moving. The majority move back to Sweden due to homesickness or a working contract expires. The option of many is that it feels good to come back home and that things return to normal as they were before leaving Sweden. Others might have certain problems with everyday things that have changed or been implemented while they were abroad.</p>

Should I/we move abroad or not? This is a question that surely many of today’s expatriate Swedes asked themselves and was probably largely debated by most. How does is feel to move back to Sweden? I have chosen to contact a number of expatriate Swedes and some that have returned, in order to receive answers to these questions. The aim with this thesis is to study the experiences and thoughts of people living in a different country as to were they were born and also those of people returning to Sweden. I have used a hermeneutic analytical method alongside a socio-psychological identity perspective when I studied the replies of my 69 respondents. The replies I have received are in a narrating format and I have treated them as qualitative information and not performed any statistical analysis. I have found, among other things that most of them move abroad because they seek for adventure. When they have arrived and settled in their new country, many seek contact with other expatriate Swedes. They nurture the Swedish traditions and the Swedish language, and it is especially important if they have children. That one becomes “extra Swedish” abroad is confirmed by most and many compare “the new ways” with “the old ways” in Sweden. To find new friends can be very difficult in the beginning and many miss a close friend that they had in Sweden before moving. The majority move back to Sweden due to homesickness or a working contract expires. The option of many is that it feels good to come back home and that things return to normal as they were before leaving Sweden. Others might have certain problems with everyday things that have changed or been implemented while they were abroad.

After the second world war it became common for individuals in economically unstable countries to work migrate towards countries with better work opportunities. Common for this type of migration is that the individual only works for a few years before re-emigrating to their home country. In the town of Olofström in southern Sweden of the migrant workers an overwhelming majority instead chose to permanently settle. By examining the worker migration during the 60- and 70s in Olofström through archive studies and interviews with the individuals involved in the worker migration, this study aims to examine the push-pull-factors that were the basis for the individual's decision to permanently settle instead of re-emigrate. The study shows that it was partially a “lucky” coincidence that the surroundings of Olofström was very similar to the migrant workers home areas, but also that the municipality in Olofström was willing to spend enormous resources to develop their school system for the migrant workers' children played a big role. A well-built school system that gave the Finnish children an opportunity to receive a good education in both the foreign language and their mother tongue proved to be a bigger pull-factor than social acceptance was a push-factor.