Inclusivity
As a team with diverse backgrounds, iGEM NCKU_Tainan recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion. During the beginning of the season, we did a lot of research on depression and mental health related issues. Among many causes and types of depression, there is one which caught our eyes: Expat depression. The descriptions of expat depression listed online were ambiguous and varied, but the general sentiment seemed to fit: “Feelings of severe and sustained despondency and dejection experienced while living abroad”. According to a new research report published by Finaccord[1], the total number of expatriates worldwide amounted to around 66.2 million in 2017. This figure has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.8% since 2013, given that there were around 52.8 million expatriates in that year. By 2021, Finaccord forecasts that the number will reach around 87.5 million. A counselor based in Spain, Chris Neill, states[2], “The rates of depression could be up to 50 percent higher among expats”.
