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19 June 2016, 06:11 AM | #1 |
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Expats
Maybe I am simply young, dumb, naive, or a combination of all three, but the idea of being an expat is something that has always appealed to me.
I often think about how many people are born, live their whole lives, and die in the same city or country. It's crazy to think that the world is such a large place with so much to offer and many people will never experience it. The great thing about TRF is that it is truly a global community. I am sure that there are many expats here and I'd love to hear your stories. So, expats... Where are you originally from? Where do you live now? How old were you when you left and how long have you been living in your new location? Do you ever plan on going home? Do you plan on going somewhere else? |
19 June 2016, 07:03 AM | #2 |
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I'm from upstate NY. Met my wife, a French women, at school and we lived in NYC for several years. When it was time to think of next steps, my wife said "life in Paris is pretty good".... It's been over 11 years now and I'm quite happy.
I never had a "dream" to be an expat or to live abroad. I like adventure and challenges, though (even if learning new languages isn't a strong skill of mine). And, the food and wine is good. |
19 June 2016, 08:14 AM | #3 |
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I am from Arkansas, but grew up near Chicago (eighth generation American). I work as a DoD contractor.both US and OCONUS).
I've worked in Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. My wife is Indian. The interesting thing about the middle east is that these countries run off expat labor. Western Europeans are very common (we have dozens of Brits at work) as well as south Asians, Chinese, and pacific islanders. Working here gives you a perspective on people and culture that no amount of travel channel can provide. Americans in general have a fairly flawed view of the world, and often think that different means worse, or less valued. Once you've been overseas for a year or so, living within the fabric of the local society, you begin to lose that arrogance and see the differences as the flavors of cultures that are much older than the American experience. |
19 June 2016, 08:22 AM | #4 | |
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19 June 2016, 08:31 AM | #5 | |
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19 June 2016, 08:32 AM | #6 |
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I have encountered 3 different expat communities, they have consistently been some the strangest people I have met.
Cadaqués, Spain (home of Salvador Dali) San Ignacio, Belize Medellín, Columbia Though not a rule, I have met a fair share that are expats for reasons consisting of more than simply choice
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19 June 2016, 08:49 AM | #7 | |
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The contrast is pretty sharp between Americans who've only vacationed outside the US (or never have been OCONUS) and Americans who have lived outside the US. For lack of a better way of putting it, you gain insight on why other people think the way they do, which tempers your perspectives on global politics, culture, and economy. |
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19 June 2016, 09:13 AM | #8 | |
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interesting commentary/observation...for some reason, it doesn't surprise me at all. |
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19 June 2016, 09:15 AM | #9 | |
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19 June 2016, 09:16 AM | #10 | |
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As an American who spent many years abroad, I agree with your assessment Abdullah.
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19 June 2016, 09:18 AM | #11 |
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I am a South African that left in 1996 on a 3 year secondment to London. I never returned. I have since worked in UK, Mauritius, Tanzania, Mauritius again, Bahrain & Kuwait. I have travelled to 76 countries and have yet to decide where I shall retire although my primary residence is in London. I have worked in many sh8%$holes but once you get comfortable prostituting your skills for money it can be a lot of fun.
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19 June 2016, 09:23 AM | #12 |
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Abdullah71601, I didn't make the "negative" comment about our country. You did. If you get flamed, so be it.
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19 June 2016, 09:26 AM | #13 |
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19 June 2016, 09:27 AM | #14 |
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19 June 2016, 09:56 AM | #15 | ||
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I think you guys illustrated my point quite well. Your response said "I'm an American, you are wrong", without any supporting argument. I dive with Russians, Brits, and Afrikaners and they are all fierce nationalists, every bit as fierce as any American. The difference is, they don't enter the conversation believing they have a superior view by virtue of being from their country. People who never leave the US get all their information from American media. Nothing comes from the source, you never really get the whole story, and the other guy's perspectives are absent or minimalized. So the "American perspective" is biased by the marketing pressures of American media outlets. When you interact with the source, your views become tempered by facts rather than media talking points, and you acquire a more global perspective. |
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19 June 2016, 10:02 AM | #16 |
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I will step aside from the conversation so as not to cause any difficulty between myself, the moderators and other TRF'rs....and you.
Oh, one last thing. I wore a uniform that gave me a good "worldwide" perspective. Had an oak leaf on it when I hung it up. Been there, done that. Out.
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19 June 2016, 10:06 AM | #17 | |
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Abdullah, I think you've made your perspective and opinions quite clearly known. Understand that there will be those that disagree, please count me among them. I don't think this is the direction that the OP intended though, so let's keep this civil and on point. We can agree to disagree. Enough said? |
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19 June 2016, 10:10 AM | #18 |
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Shall we just agree that travel broadens the mind?
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19 June 2016, 10:30 AM | #19 | ||
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19 June 2016, 10:37 AM | #20 | |||
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19 June 2016, 10:50 AM | #21 | |
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And member Abdullah, I am slightly offended by your comments about Americans and their views on people from other parts of the world. One should not make generalizations about how all Americans think or view the world. |
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19 June 2016, 10:59 AM | #22 |
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Born in Toronto, lived extensively in Yemen (7 years), KSA, Syria, Angola, Ghana, Vietnam (6 years) and Malaysia.
Doubtful I will move back to Canada permanently. Abdullah, I completely understand your point and agree however I would add the blanket statement about people that have not lived abroad for an extended period vs just a country. Last edited by Muzz; 19 June 2016 at 11:02 AM.. Reason: Added more:) |
19 June 2016, 11:00 AM | #23 |
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Well this has gone sideways...
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19 June 2016, 11:03 AM | #24 | |
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Travel broadens the mind (thanks Adam). |
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19 June 2016, 11:08 AM | #25 |
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Guys,
Thanks for all of the comments so far. Personally, I was not offended by Abdullah's comments. I know the intent of his post was not negative. Let's move on. Thanks, |
19 June 2016, 11:21 AM | #26 |
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This is very true. The Americans I know can be very narrow minded, especially if they haven't traveled extensively. I guess a major factor is the fact how little foreign history they learn in school, and how US POV the American media is. The worst ones are the "proud Americans" who have never left the country. Or the ones who have only traveled for military duties (all respect to them for that, but it doesn't really teach you anything about how the world really works.)
I've lived in 4 countries in 3 continents, and traveled in just under 100 countries now. Travel does broaden the mind, even though sometimes sadly it also confirms stereotypes... |
19 June 2016, 11:21 AM | #27 | ||||||
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Why do you say that you doubt you'll move back to Canada permanently? Quote:
Where did you live, John? |
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19 June 2016, 11:26 AM | #28 | |
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To visit, now would be the time. It really is an amazing place. |
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19 June 2016, 11:30 AM | #29 | |
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Thanks Wes!! In terms of moving to Canada it would be probably too difficult for my Wife who is Vietnamese. She likes the idea of visiting only and not permanently residing there. She has never driven a car (we have a car and driver set up here) and because the lifestyle is so different I am unsure she would ever settle. Also she hates the cold lol |
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19 June 2016, 12:05 PM | #30 |
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My Dad was 30 years Military. I was born in the UK, went to elementary school in Germany, traveled all over Europe as a youngster and then lived all over the US. Mostly Texas and Colorado. Finished high school in Colorado.
At 18 I joined the Army and before I got out they had sent me off for a year on the DMZ in Korea and then a great stint in Hawaii. Got out in Hawaii and started my civilian LE career. After 5 years I took a leave of absence to study Japanese in Japan. Loved it but alas I had to return back to work. Retired and decided to come back to Japan. It is home really now. From here as a base I travel all over Asia. I've been in Japan a total of near 10 years now. Love it. I honestly don't know if I will ever return to the US. |
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