An examination of the migration motivations, identity construction processes, and social networks developed through digital communication channels of Turkish expats living in the Netherlands

This study examines the migration motivations, identity construction processes, and digital communication practices of highly skilled Turkish expats living in the Netherlands. Migration is approached not merely as a spatial movement but as a multidimensional process through which individuals reconstruct their identities, senses of belonging, and social relations. In recent years, the concept of the "expat" has gained prominence in the literature, referring to individuals who, unlike classical labor migrants, possess high levels of education, participate in professional labor markets, and predominantly migrate for voluntary reasons. The research explores the migration experiences and motivations of highly skilled Turkish expats in the Netherlands, focusing particularly on identity representations carried out through digital platforms, the multifaceted relations established with diaspora communities, and the emotional and symbolic ties maintained both with the homeland and the host society. In this respect, the study demonstrates that expat identity is shaped not only by individual preferences and professional positions but also through social interactions and digital communication practices. Designed within a qualitative research framework, the study is based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with 14 participants residing in the Netherlands under expat (highly skilled migrant) status. The interviews focused on participants' migration decisions, personal experiences, identity and belonging negotiations, digital communication habits, and social media practices, from which common themes were derived. Additionally, participants were asked about how they represent themselves, how they construct a sense of community, and how they establish diaspora networks in digital contexts. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. Findings reveal that the migration decisions of highly skilled Turkish expats are shaped not only by economic considerations but also by aspirations for personal freedom, improved quality of life, career development, and international experience. Before migration, participants made extensive use of social media platforms and online communities to obtain information about living conditions, employment opportunities, and cultural environments in the Netherlands, a process that played a critical role in shaping their decisions. After migration, they developed a conscious distance from Turkish labor migrant communities and often preferred limited integration into Dutch society. Instead, they reconstructed their identities in hybrid forms, a distinctive feature of the expat experience. Moreover, digital communication practices enabled expats to maintain ties with Turkey while simultaneously integrating into international expat networks, demonstrating that diaspora connections extend beyond symbolic attachment to include professional and cultural dimensions. In conclusion, highly skilled Turkish expats in the Netherlands illustrate that migration today is not solely an economic or spatial phenomenon, but a multilayered process redefined across digital, cultural, and identity-related dimensions. The study highlights the distinctive aspects of expat identity in contrast to classical migration, offering both theoretical and empirical contributions to migration literature.