Introduction. One of the most significant global issues found in many parts of the world is the movement of large groups of people into cities

One of the most significant global issues found in many parts of the world is the movement of large groups of people into cities. Many people leave their traditional homes in the countryside to go and live in cities; sometimes in their own country and sometimes across borders into a new country. This movement is leading to the rapid growth of many cities – the process of urbanisation. This has economic benefits for many but also causes real problems.

I live in a city which is growing rapidly and has many benefits for those who live here. My family migrated three years ago when my mother and father got new jobs in the government administration. We now have an apartment which is very pleasant and a way of life which many people would want. But the move to the city has not always been easy – there have been many challenges, especially as we have left many of my family behind and we don’t see them as often.

In Kazakhstan in the Modern World we have studied changes in our society and the growth of our economy and cities. In Global Perspectives we have studied migration and urbanisation in different parts of the world. I have learnt that although cultures may be different, people’s experience of change is often similar.

The topic of migration was chosen for this research project because I have experienced this myself and I live in a city that is growing rapidly. I wanted an opportunity to reflect on my own experience and to learn more about the experience of other people. This would help me to understand more about the reasons for moving and the causes of migration.

It is also clear that many people’s experience of moving in different parts of the world and between countries has not been as positive as my own. Stories of disaster during the travels, for example when boats carrying migrants sink, and of problems upon arrival, like the difficulty of finding somewhere to live, are very common. These are well known and yet people still move. I really wanted to find out about their motivations in the face of real adversity.

A recent example has been the ships carrying migrants that have sunk near the island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea reported in the Kazakhstani press and news.¹

This situation shows that the motivation to migrate despite all of the risks must be very strong. What are the reasons? Why are these people so desperate to move? I would like to know the answers to these questions.

These are the reasons for the choice of this topic.