Atnafu, Adamnesh (PhD)Bayisa, Assefa2018-06-182023-11-042018-06-182023-11-042017-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/1371Return migration is a dynamic and complex phenomenon which involves diverse participants with different backgrounds and experiences. Espousing hermeneutic phenomenological research design, this study utilized interviews and observation to describe and interpret pre-return expectations, preparedness, and return motives including the post-return happenings and accomplishments of 10 female voluntary returnees from the Gulf States to Ejersa-Lafo Woreda. The participants were selected through snowball sampling technique. Collected data were analyzed thematically. The findings show that although the participants had positive expectations in their homeland, felt prepared for return and back home to realize their prior plans, they were hardly reintegrated in all economic, psychosocial and social-network aspects. Regardless of the type of return motives and degree of return preparedness, this study revealed that conditions in homeland alone would enormously influence the post-return experiences of returnees. Upon home return, the home market appeared to them difficult, their social status declined over time and families were not found trusted as they were appeared to them before. The inability to live up to their prior expectations and plans, made the participants not to feel at home that, in turn, triggered their re-migration intention. Thus, the participants are susceptible to the potential sufferings ahead of them since they are eager to reach again, even illegally, the destination countries they came from. Alongside raising awareness of the returnees about the potential consequences of illegal migration, social workers in collaboration with the local government should devise means to re-embed them in their community. Money management orientations before leaving home, and information about home situations before return should also be provided to the migrants in order to make their reintegration not challengingenvoluntary return; reintegration; social networks; return preparedness; Gulf StatesThesis