ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the contrast in migrants' attitudes to uncertainty upon emigration and return lies in hope's power to mediate uncertainty: uncertainty related to migratory transitions may be approached with positive anticipation and a proactive disposition or elicit apprehension, depending on whether the transition inspires hope. Senegalese migration to Spain provides a rich case for examining ideas of hope and uncertainty at different points of migration trajectories and under changing contextual circumstances. The context of financial crisis in Spain highlighted the salience of the sense of affordability with respect to engaging with uncertainty: migrants with a relatively secure financial and administrative situation were better positioned to take chances in making a tentative return. Senegalese migration to Spain provides a rich case for examining ideas of hope and uncertainty at different points of migration trajectories and under changing contextual circumstances.
