The Role of Social Media in Facilitating Migration for Highly Skilled Turkish Women

Migration is a complex journey, marked by both challenges and opportunities. While individuals often face various difficulties during this act, they also benefit from factors that ease their transition, known as ‘facilitators of migration.’ These factors can manifest themselves during or after migration, as well as shaping their decision to migrate. In this study, grounded in the aspiration-capability framework, the use of social media is conceptualized as a capability, as it provides vital information and connections that facilitate the migration process. Hence, this study examines how highly skilled Turkish women migrating to Germany and the Netherlands utilize social media as a facilitator pre and after migration to form connections, gather information about their destination, and make informed decisions about their migration paths. Drawing on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 20 highly skilled Turkish women, findings reveal that social media plays a crucial role in shaping many facets of migration experience. It influences participants’ choice of destination, supports their settlement process, enhances emotional well-being, and aids in their professional integration. This study also highlights that along with globalization, social media has transformed the concepts of ‘migration’ and ‘migrant,’ enabling easier access to information and networks, and reducing uncertainties typically associated with migration. With the rise of vlog culture, participants reported that information gathered through online platforms helped them perceive migration as merely relocating rather than navigating unknowns. Following the decision-making phase, they extensively relied on expat groups on platforms to navigate bureaucratic procedures and adapt to life in the host country. These women also formed online solidarity networks, where they shared not only the challenges of migration but also their personal struggles and experiences. These findings underscore the evolving role of digital platforms in shaping contemporary migration experiences by enabling access to a complex web of solidarity, networks and information.