The research objective of this project is an investigation of the transnational migration and narratives of identity of highly qualified people from a social- and cultural-anthropological perspective. The theory of life-modes serves as a main framework to explain how certain ways of life and career decisions are made possible and/or influenced by processes of globalization. Highly qualified Swiss living in Israel and Israelis living in Switzerland serve as a specific sample. Concerning the topic of migration the interest lies not only in the movement of people across borders but also the exchanging and travelling of ideas and concepts. Over 10 000 Swiss, most of them well- or highly-qualified, live in Israel and around 1400 Israelis are registered as living in Switzerland. As there are about 11 000 Swiss-Israeli dual citizens it is assumed that the above numbers do not exactly reflect reality. The project will provide an in depth analysis of constructs of identity and biographical experiences as well as a discussion of the influence of external conditions and frameworks on the daily-life of highly qualified migrants. Additionally, questions of objectives and the justification of decisions, and issues of brain-drain and brain-gain will be tackled. Fieldwork and interviews take place in Switzerland and Israel. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the construal of meaning of highly qualified people living, moving and acting in the context of a global labour market and maintaining transnational ties.