Left the U.S. for a foreign country?

sarah_7626

notice how most of the posters came to the US? Thats because we are the best.

and see... that's kinda the funny thing, because the media seems to say we're not the best, that a lot of the other countries are better, especially European and Canada. Or maybe that's just me? Does anyone else get the sense that the US media is trying to convince us that other countries are better to live in?

funny thing is ... they may be right? How about that?

But seriously, you've got to look at what they are talking about. I am sure there are plenty of countries who have the US beat in specific areas, just as the US has plenty of other countries but in other areas.

People seem to forget that logic and pride are different things. Open mindedness is also not a bad thing.

Not until you have actually lived (not vacationed) in another country can you truly make comparisons or judge.

Just because some things are better somewhere else, shouldn't make people feel defensive instead it should be a challenge to either make what we have here better or not let it get to were it may be in other countries (and that is something we will most likely not agree on, I understand that).

well, not according to the majority of the replies on here. I mean, I know it's not the most scientific survey, but a lot of people replying have been saying they left their country to come to the US and they're happier in the US

our country obviously has flaws, no nation doesn't. It is very possible to be open minded and still proud to be an American. I have experienced many different countries and cultures (yes, lived, not vacationed) and as much as I loved it, I wouldn't trade being an American for anything. The media does often paint us in a bad light and there are many people (cough, oceansforever) who stereotype. I completely understand that MANY things are better in other countries, but that doesn't mean I don't think the U.S. is a great nation that doesn't also have good things about it. and like i said, i completely agree with loseweightjames, the media is very negative about the united states, especially certain networks. some of it is true, some of it is exaggerated. either way, there are plenty of people who come to the U.S. and love it, so if you would rather be elsewhere, please, go there.

edit to add: p.s. i can't believe i'm getting into a discussion about this on mfp...

RichardChubb

Not quite answering the question as the only time I left the US for another country was to return the UK after a week working in Houston. However, having left the UK a while back and spent years living in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia I've a few points that might make a difference to your quality of life should you choose to move:

1. Avoid the type of expat (found everywhere) who just complains about the country they are in and goes on about how things are so much better back home. They just get you down and frankly if they really feel that way should pack up and leave. The world isn’t in a beauty contest to decide whose country is the best. It is perfectly possible to like another country without being unpatriotic to your own. Belittling other places just gets you down and annoys your hosts!

2. Invest in really good telecoms to ensure you can keep in touch with family and friends back home- we can Skype really easily here in Indonesia but had to try much harder to communicate in Tanzania- it makes a huge difference.

3. Learn the local language. I only learned a bit of Swahili and a few sentences of Bahasa Indonesia but a little bit goes a very long way in getting people to open up to you.

4. Try not to make "going home" the main annual holiday always. We kept going back to the UK while we were in Tanzania and I'll always regret not visiting some of the amazing neighbouring countries.

5. Keep a really open mind and be prepared to have some of your beliefs and social/ political views challenged. I found some of my views changed unexpectedly as I discovered more about the world, and others were reaffirmed, but are now based on stronger foundations. Either way it's win win.

6. Personally I found it far easier to make a move overseas through a company I had joined in the UK rather than make my first overseas move via a new employer. Making your first ever overseas move is probably going to be quite traumatic for all involved- coping with the additional stress of adapting to a new corporate culture as well as a new country is a lot to ask. Better to have just one of those issues to deal with at a time.

Most importantly, don’t lose track of what is most important. If you have family with you, they will also be struggling to adapt and will be doing so without the often helpful distraction of an office environment. Our first move (to Cairo) had me in my new office on day one dealing with fairly familiar work issues while my poor old wife was faced with sorting herself out in a completely alien city. In Tanzania I took our first week as holiday, helped with the settling in process and it made a world of difference. Don’t forget those back home either. You’ve not abandoned your country- just headed out to explore the wider world a bit. You’ll have people back home who might want to remain part of your life.

Honestly, for me, my wife and kids, moving abroad was the best thing we’ve done. Not because the UK is bad (I still love my country) but because the world is a very interesting place. To anyone asking my view on the subject I’d just say think hard before making a move, be ready for some serious challenges if you do but be prepared for what can be a life changing experience.

RaeLB

i left Canada for the Southern Mississippi & Louisiana for a summer to work for an organization doing hurricane katrina rebuilding for just under 4 months

doesn't seem like a huge change but it's a whole different world lol

threasarenee

Haha... be careful though with the thoughts of 'temporarily' going somewhere.

I left Germany to go live in Ireland for 6 months to improve my English. That's 12 years, a husband, a house and 4 kids later... and I'm still in Ireland :laugh:

I would so LOVE to live in Ireland!!! But alas I will probably never even visit it. I will be stuck in the states for life

Sunscreenandsweat

I will move to Ireland someday.

angng

I will fight for everything this country has to offer and have never considered abandoning it for another counrty.

After working here for a bit longer I plan to apply to work at the US Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. I'm not sure if that makes me a traitor or a great patriot.

angng

notice how most of the posters came to the US? Thats because we are the best.

and see... that's kinda the funny thing, because the media seems to say we're not the best, that a lot of the other countries are better, especially European and Canada. Or maybe that's just me? Does anyone else get the sense that the US media is trying to convince us that other countries are better to live in?

funny thing is ... they may be right? How about that?

But seriously, you've got to look at what they are talking about. I am sure there are plenty of countries who have the US beat in specific areas, just as the US has plenty of other countries but in other areas.

People seem to forget that logic and pride are different things. Open mindedness is also not a bad thing.

Not until you have actually lived (not vacationed) in another country can you truly make comparisons or judge.

Just because some things are better somewhere else, shouldn't make people feel defensive instead it should be a challenge to either make what we have here better or not let it get to were it may be in other countries (and that is something we will most likely not agree on, I understand that).

well, not according to the majority of the replies on here. I mean, I know it's not the most scientific survey, but a lot of people replying have been saying they left their country to come to the US and they're happier in the US

our country obviously has flaws, no nation doesn't. It is very possible to be open minded and still proud to be an American. I have experienced many different countries and cultures (yes, lived, not vacationed) and as much as I loved it, I wouldn't trade being an American for anything. The media does often paint us in a bad light and there are many people (cough, oceansforever) who stereotype. I completely understand that MANY things are better in other countries, but that doesn't mean I don't think the U.S. is a great nation that doesn't also have good things about it. and like i said, i completely agree with loseweightjames, the media is very negative about the united states, especially certain networks. some of it is true, some of it is exaggerated. either way, there are plenty of people who come to the U.S. and love it, so if you would rather be elsewhere, please, go there.

edit to add: p.s. i can't believe i'm getting into a discussion about this on mfp...

It's impossible to make generalizations about the culture of a country the size of the US. There are plenty of places in this country I'd love to live/visit; there are others you couldn't pay me enough to go to.

angng

RichardChubb: Where did you live in the Middle East?

Tamstar1985

Where'd you go? Why? How'd you find work? What went down?

i went to a "small" city of 8 million outside of shanghai, china. i initially went to spend a summer with my dad, who was running a factory there at the time. randomly, i started getting asked while being out and about if i was interested in a job as an ESL teacher. i snapped up the opportunity, and fast-forward to six years later, i have now married a chinese man, with no plans to return back to canada

Bahet

I will fight for everything this country has to offer and have never considered abandoning it for another counrty.

After working here for a bit longer I plan to apply to work at the US Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. I'm not sure if that makes me a traitor or a great patriot.

GREAT place! We lived just outside Ramstein. It was amazing. I only wish we could have stayed 5 years instead of just 1 1/2.

It also makes you a great patriot. Landstuhl hospital is the primary first real hospital our seriously injured troops go to. By working there you will be part of the process to help save them and to comfort thm and their families. Thank you and good luck getting the job.

OceansForever

notice how most of the posters came to the US? Thats because we are the best.

and see... that's kinda the funny thing, because the media seems to say we're not the best, that a lot of the other countries are better, especially European and Canada. Or maybe that's just me? Does anyone else get the sense that the US media is trying to convince us that other countries are better to live in?

funny thing is ... they may be right? How about that?

But seriously, you've got to look at what they are talking about. I am sure there are plenty of countries who have the US beat in specific areas, just as the US has plenty of other countries but in other areas.

People seem to forget that logic and pride are different things. Open mindedness is also not a bad thing.

Not until you have actually lived (not vacationed) in another country can you truly make comparisons or judge.

Just because some things are better somewhere else, shouldn't make people feel defensive instead it should be a challenge to either make what we have here better or not let it get to were it may be in other countries (and that is something we will most likely not agree on, I understand that).

well, not according to the majority of the replies on here. I mean, I know it's not the most scientific survey, but a lot of people replying have been saying they left their country to come to the US and they're happier in the US

Yep, definitely not a scientific survey, so don't put too much on what you read on a fitness site.

It would be the same as if I told you about all the people who commented to me how much they loved Europe and would rather live there. Doesn't mean anything either

toomanycurves

I've always been an expat risk but my husband doesn't share my passion for spending time in foreign countries. I would like to live in Italy or France.

Elizabeth_C34

I've always been an expat risk but my husband doesn't share my passion for spending time in foreign countries. I would like to live in Italy or France.

I'm a huge Roman history buff, and I can't wait to go to Rome someday.

HelloDan

well, not according to the majority of the replies on here. I mean, I know it's not the most scientific survey, but a lot of people replying have been saying they left their country to come to the US and they're happier in the US

Yep, definitely not a scientific survey, so don't put too much on what you read on a fitness site.

It would be the same as if I told you about all the people who commented to me how much they loved Europe and would rather live there. Doesn't mean anything either

Couple of points to ponder:

Many people who come to the US and don't love it, probably are not posting online about it. I'm thinking particularly those in extreme poverty etc.. who don't have the luxury of coming to a fitness site to discuss random topics.

The majority of this site are American, if you went to myfitnesspal.fr (I know it doesn't exist) you'd probably get tons of posts saying how awesome France is, if you went to .de the same about Germany etc...

That being said I wnat to point out that I'm not anti US at all, and one of my buddies discussed this thread topic on my profile last night, so here is a snippet of what I wrote:

"I don't know why, but it really bugs me when people who haven't experienced anything else make silly claims like some in that thread. For sure the US is a great place, but so are many others.
Everywhere has good and bad.

If you travel a bit, and find you prefer somewhere, that's awesome. If you have never travelled, because you've been taught (brainwashed) that your country is the best, and everywhere else is inferior, that's sad."

maria1113

I lived in US for a year and came back home Finland very gladly. Even though US has great things, I still find my own country better in many ways (health care etc). And when it comes to raising kids, I wouldn't want to do it US, since it's much more safer back here, not to mention how much better public schools we have. And let's not go to the school food... Yes, I was working with kids during that year.
I love to travel, and I'm also looking for new job from all Nordic countries (including my own).

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and this is mine
I was lucky enough to spend 4 months in college in Canada and I would love to go back since it was such a short time. If I had to choose between US and Canada, the latter one would win

RichardChubb

Hi angng: I lived a year in Syria while at university which was a real culture shock for me as the society was much more closed back then and communications back home were more or less reliant on the postal service! In terms of UK and world news, I more or less lost 1995! However, while the regime was/ is not particularly pleasant, the people were great. I guess Egypt is culturally Middle East but geographically North Africa (does that count?). Again the society was a little different to the UK but as with anywhere had its good and bad points. We were very glad to have lived there though and made some great friends!

heyitsmegxx

I left the US to study in Australia for a semester..... Best months of my life.

MellowGa

I would move to Monaco, it is less then a mile big, I would become a ruthless dictor and play in the Casino's all day long, with hot bikini models as my servants....


what was the question again?

roachhaley

Left for the UK to go to university and live with my boyfriend.

REALLY want to go back to the US now, but I'm planning on teaching english in Taiwan after I'm done with my degree to pay off debt unless my boyfriend finds a great job somewhere else.

dlwyatt82

Immigrated to Canada after marrying a woman from Ontario. I actually kept my same job; the company has a division in Canada, so they just found me a cubicle up here, switched over the payroll, and I still report to the same people back in Massachusetts.

Gotta love computer jobs.