For some, the homeland is a space of employment and opportunity; for others, it is an enduring emotional anchor—a quiet heartbeat marked by longing, memory, and attachment that time and distance fail to erase. It is the place of birth, the field of childhood games, and the site of first social bonds. Despite persistent economic, social, and political challenges, the homeland retains a privileged position in the consciousness of expatriates. It remains the primary emotional refuge, reference point, and source of identity.
اضافة اعلان
Expatriates observe their countries from afar with remarkable attentiveness. They follow national developments closely and often experience a heightened sense of concern—sometimes exceeding that of residents at home. Distance intensifies emotion: anxiety over national setbacks becomes sharper, while pride in collective achievements deepens. This dynamic reflects the psychological sensitivity of exile, where belonging is constantly reaffirmed through memory and symbolic connection.
One of the most powerful expressions of this connection appears during international sporting events, particularly football. Among expatriate youth—especially those born abroad or who left their homeland at an early age—national identity is often reconstructed through symbols rather than lived experience. In multicultural environments where ethnic and national boundaries blur, the homeland becomes most visible when it enters global arenas. When Jordan qualifies for international competitions or gains global attention through sport, a renewed sense of identity emerges among its diaspora.
In these moments, sport transcends competition. It becomes a unifying social mechanism through which differences among expatriates dissolve, and collective belonging is reaffirmed. Young Jordanians abroad often gather at unconventional hours to watch matches broadcast across time zones, engaging in a shared ritual that strengthens emotional ties to the homeland. Sport, in this sense, offers a rare space where national affiliation feels natural rather than imposed, emotional rather than ideological. It temporarily marginalises political frustrations and reinforces a sense of common purpose.
Exile After September 11: Structural and Social Shifts
The meaning of exile itself has changed significantly since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The subsequent global “war on terror” reshaped the experience of Muslim and Arab minorities, introducing the notion of the “suspect community.” Counterterrorism policies, securitised public discourse, and expanding surveillance infrastructures generated fear and alienation among expatriates, widening social divides between Western societies and immigrant communities.
Terms such as xenophobia and Islamophobia entered mainstream discourse, reflecting growing hostility toward cultural and religious difference. These trends have been reinforced by the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and the United States, where exclusionary ideologies promote ethnic nationalism and stigmatise immigrants. For many expatriates, this environment has diminished the appeal of life abroad, replacing opportunity with uncertainty.
Economic pressures have compounded these challenges. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, living costs across Western countries have risen sharply, while wages have stagnated. Home ownership, once seen as a marker of stability, has become dependent on long-term debt that many perceive as economically and psychologically restrictive. The promise of upward mobility—a key driver of migration—has weakened considerably.
Jordanians Abroad: Between Longing and Responsibility
Jordanian expatriates, in particular, often express a strong desire to return home. This sentiment is shaped not only by emotional attachment but also by comparative stability. In a turbulent regional context, Jordan represents continuity, social cohesion, and institutional resilience. Memories of family, community, and shared social life reinforce this attachment.
For many, however, the longing to return is intensified by parental anxiety. Expatriates with families fear the gradual erosion of language, culture, religious values, and national identity among their children. Observing cases where second-generation migrants lose connection to their heritage deepens this concern. At the same time, return is rarely a simple decision. Economic uncertainty, limited employment opportunities, and stories of unsuccessful reintegration discourage many from taking the step.
The decision to return or remain abroad is deeply personal and resists generalisation. Some expatriates stay not out of attachment to exile, but out of fear—fear of underemployment, social displacement, or economic regression. Negative experiences of returnees are often generalised psychologically, reinforcing hesitation even when conditions differ.
The Homeland at a Distance: Policy Implications
Despite physical separation, the homeland remains emotionally present. Expatriates celebrate national achievements and feel personally wounded by external criticism or internal failure. This emotional investment represents a largely untapped national resource. Structured reintegration frameworks—particularly employment pathways for returnees, even at modest income levels—could encourage significant return migration.
Equally important is institutional engagement. Diplomatic missions and official bodies play a critical symbolic role in shaping expatriates’ perceptions of the state. Administrative interactions that appear minor can have lasting emotional impact, either reinforcing alienation or restoring trust.
Between longing and reality, sport and politics, exile and return, the relationship between expatriates and their homeland remains complex yet deeply authentic. It is not defined by distance alone, but by an enduring negotiation of identity, belonging, and responsibility—one that continues to shape national consciousness beyond borders.
