New Beginnings
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According to Mandin's respondents, they fled their home countries' political unrest, poverty, and lack of prospects in order to relocate to Montreal (Mandin 7). Montreal appeared to be a destination where they could fulfill their dreams of a better life. In an attempt to get away from the racial discrimination that restricted his chances, Baldwin also left the United States in search of a fresh start (Baldwin 15). Both were optimistic about what their new life would bring.
However, similar to Baldwin, Mandin's interviewees soon came to understand that the realities of living in a foreign nation muddled the promise of a new beginning. They had trouble integrating and frequently felt alienated, even in Montreal. Similar experiences were had by Baldwin in France, where he continued to face discrimination and isolation in spite of his aspirations of freedom and welcome (Baldwin 17).
Baldwin's and Mandin's migration narratives share a common theme: emigrating from one's home country in pursuit of greater possibilities does not always translate into the independence or sense of belonging one might anticipate. Rather, it is a continuous process of adapting to new realities, and the interviewees for Baldwin and Mandin demonstrate how migration is frequently more about overcoming obstacles than merely fleeing them.