Europe: Insights from the Outside

This volume was developed on the basis of a concept that goes beyond a thematically-closed panorama of Europe's socio-cultural make-up, particularly in relation to multicultural and transcultural phenomena. Foreign-born and non-European contributors describe their specific perspectives and experiences as "outsiders," providing new perceptions to persons enculturated in Europe. They give voice to the expectations of a globalized world toward Europe, whereby European self-myths are often called into question and corrected. Having decided to immigrate to a European country for different reasons - be they private or political - biographical circumstances permit some of the authors to take up positions offering unusual insights. In the unfamiliar light of this European perspective linked to a non-European point of reference, developments and decisions in the EU about its direction in the coming years take on a different appearance, open to a more discerning scrutiny.