Prosje, Jolanda (2026) Place, Belonging, and Mobility: Understanding Young Adults’ Decisions to Stay in or Return to Fryslân. Master thesis, Cultural Geography - Sustainable Tourism and Society (STS).
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Abstract
Rural and peripheral regions across Europe face ongoing challenges related to youth out-migration, demographic ageing, and concerns about regional livability. Fryslân, a northern province of the Netherlands characterized by a strong regional identity, the Frisian language, and distinctive cultural traditions, is no exception. While previous research has often focused on structural factors such as education, employment, and housing, growing attention has been given to the emotional and social dimensions that influence migration decisions. This study explores how sense of place and sense of belonging shape young adults’ decisions to stay in or return to Fryslân. The research employed a qualitative photo-elicitation methodology. Ten young adults aged 24–35, all born and raised in Fryslân, participated in the study. Six participants were classified as “stayers,” having continuously lived in Fryslân, while four were “returnees” who had spent a substantial period living elsewhere before returning. Participants were asked to take photographs representing their experiences of place and belonging, which subsequently served as prompts during semi-structured interviews. This method provided insight into meanings and emotions that are often difficult to capture through verbal interviews alone. The findings reveal that decisions to stay in or return to Fryslân are strongly influenced by emotional, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Family relationships, childhood memories, social cohesion, feelings of safety, nature, landscape, and the Frisian language all emerged as important sources of attachment. Participants frequently described experiences of Mienskip (community), neighbourliness, and mutual support as central to their sense of belonging. Meaningful memories connected to childhood, family, and familiar landscapes further strengthened emotional bonds with the region. The Frisian language was often described as an important marker of identity, recognition, and connection to others. Clear differences emerged between stayers and returnees. Stayers generally experienced belonging through continuity, familiarity, and long-term embeddedness in everyday life. Returnees, by contrast, often described how living elsewhere had strengthened their appreciation for Fryslân. Comparison with more urban environments highlighted qualities such as social cohesion, calmness, access to nature, and quality of life. At the same time, return migration was not experienced as a simple return “home,” but rather as an ongoing process of rebuilding social networks, renegotiating identity, and reconnecting with place. The study concludes that migration decisions cannot be understood solely through rational-economic explanations. Sense of place and sense of belonging play a central role in shaping how young adults relate to home, community, and identity. These findings contribute to debates on rural youth mobility and return migration by highlighting the importance of emotional and social dimensions in understanding why young adults choose to stay in or return to Fryslân. The study also demonstrates the value of photo-elicitation as a method for exploring the lived and emotional experiences that underpin place attachment and belonging.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Name supervisor: | Muldoon, M.L. |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jul 2026 10:52 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jul 2026 10:52 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/868 |
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