The document De teruggekeerde emigrant (The Returned Emigrant) is an unpublished thesis written by Heikina R. Scholten in 1966. It is a qualitative study on the reasons for return to the Netherlands of Dutch emigrants from Australia for the purpose of information provision. The thesis was submitted to the Haagse Sociale Akademie (The Hague Social Academy), a former institution for social work education in the Netherlands.
The thesis is based on interviews with 20 Dutch emigrants who returned to the Netherlands from Australia. The interviews explored the reasons why the emigrants returned, their experiences in Australia, and their plans for the future.
The thesis found that the most common reasons for return were:
- Economic difficulties in Australia
- Homesickness
- Family problems
- Dissatisfaction with the Australian way of life
The thesis also found that the emigrants had mixed experiences in Australia. Some of them found it difficult to adjust to the Australian way of life, while others found it to be a positive experience.
The thesis concludes by arguing that the Dutch government should provide more support to Dutch emigrants who are considering returning to the Netherlands.
The document is not available online, but it can be accessed at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Royal Library) in The Hague, the national library of the Netherlands. The document has the signature NL 94 B 9000 and can be viewed on request at the library,
Heikina R. Scholten
Heikina R. Scholten (1938-2017) was a Dutch social worker and researcher. She studied social work at the Haagse Sociale Akademie (The Hague Social Academy).
She worked as a social worker in the Netherlands and Australia, where she conducted research on the experiences of Dutch emigrants in Australia.
Her research on Dutch emigrants in Australia was groundbreaking at the time, and it helped to shed light on the challenges and experiences of Dutch people who had moved to Australia.
Her work was also influential in the development of social work practice in the Netherlands and Australia.
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