臺灣旅英留學生移民動機與社群發展之研究（1989-2012）

Abstract

基於今日移民的複雜性，過去移民在移往異地後便與母國喪失連結的情況再不輕易復見，傳統以民族主義或地理概念為依託的論述也逐漸力不從心，因此自1990年代以來，學界開始以跨國主義的理論系統來解讀當代移民的多種議題，海外華人研究領域自然也不例外。在各種移民類型中，留學生移民向來被視為高技術移民的組成之一，過去臺灣留學生以留美居多，由留美學生轉變成為美籍華人也時有所聞，然而自1980年代晚期以來，留學英國的臺灣學生人數不僅在短期內急速劇增，並且持續了將近二十年的成長。在留英人數大增的情況下，有鑑於過去「滯美不歸」的例證，本研究企圖透過跨國理論的角度以及質性研究方法，先就63位旅英臺生進行問卷調查，並針對17位選擇在取得學位後定居英國者進行深度訪談，以探索旅英臺生由留學活動發展為移民活動的可能性與其背後動機。在問卷與訪談成果的呈現下，多數旅英臺生在前往英國以前雖未帶有強烈移民動機，卻有不少人在留學期間逐漸萌生留在海外發展的想法，只是落實與否深受政策時勢所影響；對於部分順利居留英國者，他們具備了明顯的跨國華人特質與思維模式，呈現了混合式、並且脫離地域性的認同價值觀。在旅英活動高度發展的二十年間，英國臺僑社群之規模與活躍度也在此同時期開始有了比較顯著的成長，近年更一反以往的沉默形象，結合旅英臺生針對諸多時事作出積極的群體回應，形成一股從散漫至機動、逐漸累積凝聚的新興力量。The complexity of current day immigration has meant that certain theories based on concepts of nationalism and/or geographical boundaries are no longer adequate as the link between immigrants, including the field of overseas ethnic Chinese studies, have begun applying transnational theory to relevant discourses since the 1990s. Amongst all immigrant types, the student form has been considered as being part of a transnational immigration framework. Prior to the 1980s, an upshot of a number of factors, a large portion of Taiwanese students, seeking Higher Education abroad, chose to study in the US and many of them chose not to return. Yet the number of Taiwanese students who chose to study in British universities has risen dramatically since the late 1980s and the figure has continued to grow for nearly twenty-years. Inspired by the American example, this research explores the possibility of Taiwanese students settling in the UK (post-study) and their potential immigration motives. The methods involved were the collection of 63 questionnaire samples, from targeted groups, this was subsequently followed by the interviewing of 17, post-study, Taiwanese who are in residence in the UK. All of them have intended to or have already obtained permanent residency or British citizenship. From selected research sampling, most Taiwanese students did not present a clear immigration motive before leaving for the UK; however the idea emerged during their study periods despite the challenges of strict immigration policies and additional obstacles. As for those that managed to stay, they demonstrated strong qualities and features of transnational migrants.

In spite of the absence of statistics showing the exact number of Taiwanese students settling in the UK post-study over the past two decades, the UK Taiwanese community had indeed expanded and demonstrated a more active presence over the same period. In comparison to the more passive and silent attitudes of the past, this paper argues that a new force has come into being by the UK Taiwanese community, a force that is now more thriving, reactive, and flexible to various Taiwanese related issues; one that is no longer silent.