Across Borders: Migrations That Changed the World
Note to the reader:
At Weekly Cross, we do not claim to be specialists in the complex and ever-evolving field of Migration History. We fully recognize the depth of this topic and its need for multiple specialized perspectives.
Our goal here is different: we aim to use this rich theme as a platform to explore the use of phrasal verbs, treating them as a living, flexible, and essential part of the English language.
Through stories, dialogues, and reflections, we seek to immerse English learners in real-world contexts where phrasal verbs naturally emerge — promoting not just grammatical study, but a deeper understanding of language as it is truly lived.
Belonging in a Multicultural World
Finding Home Beyond Borders
Belonging is not a simple matter of residence. For many immigrants, the journey doesn’t end after they settle in. It continues through the subtle, ongoing process of trying to fit into a society that may admire their culture from a distance, but still struggles to open up to real inclusion. Feeling accepted isn’t automatic — it’s often something people have to fight for, day after day, in small and invisible ways.
Multicultural environments often promote the idea of coexistence, but everyday experiences may tell a different story. People are frequently expected to tone down their accents, traditions, or clothing to avoid standing out. Some even feel pressure to leave behind key parts of their cultural identity just to be seen as “normal.” Others, in contrast, may hold on to their roots more tightly — using language, food, music, and rituals as anchors for their sense of self.
At school, at work, or in public spaces, small comments or curious stares can build up a sense of not fully belonging. Even those who manage to blend in linguistically or socially often face invisible barriers. Cultural fluency doesn’t always lead to full acceptance — and that gap can wear down someone’s confidence over time.
Belonging in a multicultural world is not just about adapting — it’s about being accepted without having to give up who you are. It’s about creating spaces where identities don’t have to be erased to be respected. And it starts with listening, empathy, and the courage to stand up for diversity in action, not just in theory.
For children of immigrants, the question of belonging can be even more complex. Born or raised in the host country, they often grow up speaking the local language fluently and pick up cultural references easily — but may still be seen as outsiders due to their appearance, surname, or family traditions. Caught between two identities, many try to balance out the expectations from both cultures, while others feel like they don’t fully belong to either.
Yet, despite these challenges, multicultural societies can also bring about powerful transformations. When institutions, communities, and individuals reach out with intention and respect, real inclusion becomes possible. Belonging isn’t about assimilation — it’s about making room for multiple voices, stories, and ways of being. In that process, diversity stops being a slogan and starts becoming part of the lived reality.
Carrying a world within, stepping into another.
Drawing Lines That Divide
National Identity and Exclusions
National identity has often been used as a source of unity — but in diverse societies, it can also shut out those who don’t fit a narrow definition of who belongs. Immigrants and their children may grow up in the same neighborhoods, speak the same language, and take part in the same institutions, yet still find themselves left out of the national narrative.
This exclusion isn’t always overt. Sometimes it shows up in small things: a job application that goes unanswered, a casual remark that points out someone’s accent or background, or a law that targets certain groups while claiming neutrality. Bit by bit, these moments add up — and the message becomes clear: “You live here, but you’re not one of us.”
Some governments and media outlets play into this divide, stirring up fear and resentment in times of social or economic instability. Migration becomes a scapegoat, and instead of addressing structural issues, leaders double down on identity politics — using nationalism to rally around exclusion.
But identity is not fixed. The idea of who belongs can and must evolve. Instead of trying to draw a line around one static version of national culture, we can open it up to the richness of the people who actually live within that nation. Belonging shouldn’t be something people have to fight for — it should be something they’re invited to step into.
National identity often relies on symbols — flags, official languages — that are meant to bring people together, but can also leave out those whose experiences aren’t reflected in them. When national pride turns into cultural purity, it creates a rigid model of belonging that many cannot relate to. Instead of embracing diversity, this version of identity closes off other narratives and pushes aside those who don’t fit.
To move forward, we must call out exclusion when we see it — not only in laws or institutions, but also in everyday habits and language. National identity doesn’t have to be static or narrow. It can open up, shift, and expand to make space for the realities of modern societies — where migration is not the exception, but part of the story.
Ultimately, national identity doesn’t have to be a barrier. When it evolves to include all voices, not just the dominant ones, it becomes a space of belonging rather than exclusion — one that reflects the true diversity of the people who call a nation home.
Migration Crisis
Mass Migration and Global Challenges
In recent years, migration has moved to the center of political and humanitarian debates. From conflicts and climate change to economic collapse, more and more people have been forced to leave behind their homes and set out in search of safety. These massive displacements have given rise to a global migration crisis that no country can turn away from.
The refugee crisis that came to light around 2015, especially across the Mediterranean, brought home the urgency of the issue. Overcrowded boats, closed borders, and overwhelmed governments showed how unprepared many nations were to deal with mass arrivals. Some tried to put up walls — both literal and symbolic — hoping to keep out the wave of migrants. Others took in newcomers, but struggled to follow through with integration plans.
Migration, however, is not only a humanitarian issue. It has become deeply political. In many places, leaders have played up fears about immigration to rally support and shift attention away from internal problems. Migration is often framed as a threat — rather than as a reflection of global injustice that requires cooperation, not division.
To move forward, we need long-term solutions. It’s not enough to crack down on migration flows or tighten up borders. Real change means investing in the regions people flee from, working together across nations, and respecting human dignity. We must face up to the root causes — war, poverty, inequality — rather than just the visible symptoms.
Migration is not going away. It will keep coming, shaped by forces much bigger than any wall. What we do about it will define not just the future of migrants, but the moral character of the world we live in.
For those on the move, the journey is rarely safe. Many migrants are forced to hand over their savings to smugglers, go through dangerous routes, or end up in detention centers with no clear path forward. Families are often split up, and children may miss out on education for years. While political leaders argue over numbers and borders, real people are left to carry on in limbo.
In the end, migration is about people — not just policies. If we truly want to live up to the values we claim to hold, we must listen to, stand with, and learn from those who’ve made these journeys. Migration doesn’t weaken societies — it reveals who we are, and whether we’re willing to rise to the challenge of a shared humanity.
Shifting Borders
Click on each question below to reveal the suggested answer.
Try to think about your own answer before opening it.
Practice using the phrasal verbs naturally and build your confidence!
Belonging in a Multicultural World
What does “settle in” mean for immigrants?
It means to gradually adapt to a new place and build a stable life there.
How can someone “fit into” a new culture?
By learning the language, understanding social cues, and participating in everyday life — but it’s not always easy or natural.
Why might someone “hold on to” their cultural identity?
Because it helps preserve their roots and gives them a sense of belonging, especially when they feel excluded.
What does it mean to “give up” who you are?
To hide or abandon parts of your identity just to be accepted — something many immigrants feel pressured to do.
How can empathy help people “open up to” diversity?
By breaking down fear or bias and creating genuine space for connection and acceptance.
National Identity and Exclusion
What does it mean to be “shut out” from national identity?
It means being excluded or made to feel that you don’t belong, even if you live in the country.
How do everyday actions “add up” to exclusion?
Small acts like stereotypes, assumptions, or lack of representation gradually build up and reinforce exclusion.
How do politicians “play into” fears about migration?
They sometimes exaggerate threats to gain political support and stir up negative emotions.
What happens when societies “double down on” exclusionary policies?
They become even more rigid and resistant to change, often worsening social division.
What does it mean to “draw a line around” national culture?
It means creating strict boundaries about who belongs, often ignoring the real diversity within the nation.
Modern Migration
What does “set out” mean in the context of migration?
It means to begin a journey, often long and uncertain, in search of a better life or safety.
How do governments “crack down on” migration flows?
By creating stricter laws, increasing border security, and limiting the entry of migrants and refugees.
What does "bring home" the human cost of migration mean?
To shift attention away from internal problems and rally political support using fear and division.
What happens when countries try to “keep out” migrants with barriers?
Barriers may delay migration temporarily, but they rarely solve the underlying causes of displacement.
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What does it mean to “face up to” the root causes of migration?
It means acknowledging and addressing the real reasons people are forced to migrate, such as war, poverty, and climate change.