This master thesis aims to analyse the concept of autonomy of migration, or AoM, and the
production of the narrative of the different stages of migration from emergence to integration, as
well as the power relations between the state and refugees. The research aims to define the AoM
by various authors by developing a theoretical framework using the literature on the concept of
AoM, autoethnographic research, interviews, and discussions with five different refugees as a
guiding tool to research and move between different stages of the experience of migration. Based
on my personal experience, I see refugees and migrants as experts, and their participation in
constructing the narrative on migration from emergence to integration is what completes the story.
As a result, in my thesis, I will incorporate my personal experience as a tool of reflection and
criticism of the concept of AoM. This thesis emphasises the agency and resistance of migrants and
refugees in their daily experiences of mobility and work, highlighting their role as active agents in
navigating power dynamics such as exploitation, discrimination, and marginalisation. It also
highlights the complex nature of migration, highlighting the social, economic, and cultural
contexts that shape their daily lives. The use of autoethnographic research and personal narratives
provides a nuanced understanding of migration's autonomy, thereby challenging dominant
discourses that often portray migrants as problems or threats. This approach aligns with AoM,
highlighting migrants' agency, resilience, and creativity and providing a deeper understanding of
the migratory experience.
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