In 2003, Huan Yue and Piao moved their family to Ireland to give themselves and their children the opportunity to learn English. Huan Yue was especially interested in Ireland because, “I wanted to study abroad and explore Western society.” An education agency in China organized their travel visas and enrolled them in school.

After two years, the couple was unable to renew their student visas. Concerned for their children’s stability, Huan Yue and Piao sent them back to China to live with their grandparents. For nine years they were unable to visit, and by 2012 they wanted to return to their family. Because they could not afford to travel on their own, Huan Yue and Piao returned to China with IOM assistance.

Once they were back, Huan Yue was surprised at how much was different. “The place has changed a lot. I did not recognize our neighbourhood.” She applied for the reintegration grant so that she and Piao could learn to drive.

In 2013, Huan Yue told IOM Ireland, “Sometimes I feel it was a good decision to return. Sometimes I wish we had not. We are resettled okay, but we are under a lot of pressure to find a job and make money.” However, she believes the driving lessons will be a great asset in their job search. “It will definitely help in the long run.”