How many non-believers and others here are currently or previously expatriates?
I ask because I'm interested to know about how many have lived and worked abroad.
I'm a former expatriate myself, having lived in SE Asia, and would be again, if I could arrange it. (Anyone got lottery numbers? ) For some, not all, once an expatriate always an expatriate. Some people just get a sense of liberation (for want to a better term) being outside their culture comfort zone. That's me.
I always find expatriates are interesting people, when I meet them. Expatriation changes people, and for the better, I think. Being a 'foreigner' in another country, not just a short term tourist, is mind broadening.
Of course, there might be some current or previous expats who hate it. Maybe they're abroad for a job, or whatever. I worked in cross-cultural management abroad and for some a foreign job posting can be like hell. They just want to get 'home'. I've met those too.
What are your experiences?
1
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.for the past 17 years i have lived the life of an expat, you might say. the first year on spanish-speaking la gomera off the northwest coast of africa, & the years after that in australia, east & west, english-speaking, when my first language is german.
i've come to the point now where i would return to europe if i knew the numbers, @David1955, if only for the advance in environmental care & the existence of culture.
i agree with your observation that in general people who are or have been "foreigners" (aren't we all?) are more openminded - which makes perfect sense. they assume less, are more tolerant & accepting of otherness & less defensive of their own viewpoint, which makes them more generous & humourous.
open all borders worldwide!
walklightly
Level 8
Mar 16, 2018
1
Well, you have been around. I couldn't imagine living in Europe long term. I really like the SEAsian region. I like the rough edge, I suppose.
@David1955, i used to love travelling thailand, malaysia & indonesia, & began to ponder how i might manage to live on one of the islands at least half of the year. then things became more & more messy, with the locals not being able to cope with the tons of plastic trash in oceans, on beaches & in market villages. additionally i began to feel environmentally shabby about flitting forth & back on a plane. so for the time being i enjoy the rainforest in australian countryside.
I lived in Heidelberg Germany 15 years and had planned on settling there. Unfortunately, life got in the way. But I still miss Europe.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Mar 16, 2018
2
yes, me too. the so-called "old world" has such an advantage in cultural aspects, it can't be topped.
@walklightly For sure but when I returned after living in Seattle I realized it was the right decision to leave.
@JackPedigo, i wouldn't want to live in a german city any more - & i used to be happy in hamburg for decades.
@walklightly Some time ago I discovered Rick Steves dropped Heidelberg from his listing because it had become a tourist trap. Funny story: When my upstairs neighbor wanted to find a partner for the night he would go outside and wash his car. We lived under the castle and he would watch for tourists. He would offer advice to lost women tourists and then offer to show them the night life. It was literally fishing and he was the bait and it almost always worked.
@JackPedigo, good for him! i remember visiting friends in heidelberg in the 70s; it had a very liberal air then. but everywhere in germany was like that. not any more 
@walklightly When I left in 1989 immigrants/refugees were flooding in and things were starting to change. BTW he is still there. He bought the house we lived in and now has a financial planning business. He has gotten fat and stooped over so his 'wenching' days are long over.
@JackPedigo LOL!
Polyexpat here. Yes, I loved my time spent in other countries. Learned a great deal about what it means to be a human being rather than a this or that. Always lived out with the people. Never in enclaves.
evidentialist
Level 8
Mar 16, 2018
0
I loved my time in Berlin, Germany. It changed, broadened, and matured me in so many ways. It enabled me to see my native culture withiout blinders on. Learning to speak and, read, and write German, and teaching English to Germans taught me more about my own language than all of the English courses I ever had. Also, being in Berlin at the height of the Cold War, surrounded by 300,000 Russian troops, taught me to live in the moment in very positive ways.
wordywalt
Level 9
Mar 16, 2018
1
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Related Groups More
Memes R Us
2991 members
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.