6 Reasons Your Plan to Move Abroad Might Not Work Out

Cracked article on other countries vs the US and why it would be hard for an American to deal with that.

I'm an American and I've been to Australia, Ecuador, and Peru and its on the dot mostly, but what do you guys think? Some of you non US dudes might disagree, and so might some of you US people who hate it here, but this guy makes some good points, and I've personally seen what he's been talking about in other places, especially the whole racism thing (which is pretty crazy in Peru).

Well I don't plan to move abroad but that was a rather truthful article from what I have heard before.

I don't think I'd go anywhere but canada, I don't plan to anytime soon, but I think the culture shock would be pretty minimal.

One cracked article I actually enjoyed.

By all means, if you hate this country PLEASE leave.

One cracked article I actually enjoyed.

By all means, if you hate this country PLEASE leave.

airshocker

I love all cracked articles, but I agree with the second part.

You have the annoying whiny WBC always complaining, well I wish they'd go to China and pull that crap. Hell if they did that no one could protest their funeral because the government would probably pull an Osama and get rid of those bodies ASAP.

Not that I'm encouraging death or anything, I'd just love to see them actually do what they say and leave so they can get in trouble in a less accepting place.

I love all cracked articles, but I agree with the second part.

You have the annoying whiny WBC always complaining, well I wish they'd go to China and pull that crap. Hell if they did that no one could protest their funeral because the government would probably pull an Osama and get rid of those bodies ASAP.

Not that I'm encouraging death or anything, I'd just love to see them actually do what they say and leave so they can get in trouble in a less accepting place.

SPYDER0416

No one who says they're going to leave actually does it. I mean, every single day I say I'm going to leave New York. I've been saying that for four years now, still haven't left.

lmao..... :lol:

so damn true.

I've lived in Saudi, USA for most of my life, but i've lived in Europe for as long as a few weeks at a time as well (Spain, Netherlands).

Frankly culture shock i can get over after a while, you hate the new the culture your in for a time but eventually you just get used to most of it. Hanging out with other Americans i've seen A LOT. To a degree i'm guilty of it too, but i've got more friends who are from these countries that are full-citizens.

What it takes to live in a foriegn country is a good bit of i-don't-give-a-****-what-you-think. Be sensitive and poltiically correct to a degree sure, but you can't let yourself constantly feel like an alien in a new home.

P.S. I do not hate the USA, i do love her very much so. but i can live in other countries, and have, and probably will in the future. Sort of the life i've had and i'm used to it. Being a halfsy makes you an 'alien' to someone no matter what. believe me.

I don't need to move, I live in Canada Ace6301

We want your kind to stay. :P

[QUOTE="Ace6301"]I don't need to move, I live in Canada airshocker

Our liberal policies are actually working out pretty damn awesome, thanks. They saved us from all the things that caused your economy to tank so easily. If Bachmann or Perry end up in the White house though I honestly may consider moving. I fear however that the same planet may still be too close.Ace6301

Perry isn't that bad. Bachmann won't win. She's just too...Bachmann. I can deal with a religious person in office, so long as their policies work.

[QUOTE="Ace6301"]Our liberal policies are actually working out pretty damn awesome, thanks. They saved us from all the things that caused your economy to tank so easily. If Bachmann or Perry end up in the White house though I honestly may consider moving. I fear however that the same planet may still be too close.airshocker

Perry isn't that bad. Bachmann won't win. She's just too...Bachmann. I can deal with a religious person in office, so long as they're policies work.

That "America Go To Heal" sign is really offensive. Pharmaceutical companies dont want us to heal, damn it! Thats the way we like it!Allicrombie

Perry is way better than Bachmann but he's still...I dunno. Obviously I disagree with his policies but I've always hated cowboy politics and judging by a few of his past decisions he's worse than Bush about that.Ace6301

To be brutally honest, I'm not litmus testing him against any other politician. He created jobs in Texas, and that's what we desperately need in the country. I couldn't care less if he spoke about Texas seceding, or where his stance on abortion or gay rights is at. I'm tired of this unemployment and this sluggish economy and I think he's one of the candidates who can do it. That's literally ALL that matters to me in this election.

"If you can't imagine yourself trying to rudely bring America with you to Japan or China or Switzerland, you'll be surprised. The experience changes a person. No matter what it was about your home country that you disliked enough to make you leave, live abroad for a while and you'll start defending it. Why? Because countries are a lot like families. It's one thing for you and your sister to laugh about how fat your mother is; you react differently when it's a random dude on the street."

I visited several countries while I was in the US Navy... the article is dead on when it comes to a lot of things.

The culture shock part is spot on... to a point. Even when exposed to a lot of American culture, people still get stuff wrong. As I told one Israeli teenager, "**** you isn't the same as 'hello.'" :lol:

Largely true.

Adapting is tough - subtle difference in culture can feel quite pronounced and you end up gravitating to either fellow ex pats where you're from, or ex-pats in general.

Once you start working, it's the same rigmarol with anywhere. Novelty of working in 'x' location soon wears off once you settle in a routine.

You miss odd things, like biscuits, crisps and family.

When unemployment is high (as has been in the Western world) governments don't give out visa's willy-nilly and make things tough for you. Best to go when unemplyments low, therefore a skill shortage then your passage in is easier.

Good article, visiting a country and living there are two different thingsweezyfb

In my case it was kind of both. I have close family in Peru so its kind of my home, and I've spend maybe close to 2 years in combined time there so I know what its like to live in another country.

I live in the netherlands and my neighbour lady moved in here a couple of years ago. She is from the US (Michigan) and she quickly learned to speak dutch.
I'm still amazed at the speed she learned the language, because dutch is quite difficult if you're a foreigner. It also helps that everyone here at least has a basic knowledge of english. I have helped her translate things on several occasions when she didn't know the right words.

I really do think it's your own mentality, if you want to succeed, learn the language and local customs, you can live happily in another country.
But yes, it's a lot of work.

Never had culture shock when I lived in Japan. Then again I lived there for ten years since I was a toddler.

I liked this article, though, because I've heard people saying that they'd like to move to another country, although many countries are mostly the same.

Never had culture shock when I lived in Japan. Then again I lived there for ten years since I was a toddler.

I liked this article, though, because I've heard people saying that they'd like to move to another country, although many countries are mostly the same.

NiKva

Countries vary greatly I find, as do the people within. I moved to Australia when I was 28 - looking to back out at somepoint soon though and shoot back to Europe some place, but being a colonial territory you would have thought it's a fairly easy transition from the UK, but I tell you the similarities (colonial architecture, play cricket) make the differences seem more pronounced.

Anyway, above all is leaving everything you've ever known behind - that's both very tough but incredibly liberating at the same time. When you're homesick though, there aint much you can do when you're 12,000 miles away - that feeling sucks... it proper sucks in fact.

It's funny because I don't see any of these points really applying to Sweden. :P

Instead of leaving behind all that you perceive to hate or despise, it's much better to simply try to make a change for the better in your community. At least in this context. That's the way I now see it anyway.

Emigrants...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry0Bv1HQRD4

I love Stewart Lee - this is very relevent to me anyhoo. It's funny how people rationalise their leaving with 'quality of life'

Never had culture shock when I lived in Japan. Then again I lived there for ten years since I was a toddler.

I liked this article, though, because I've heard people saying that they'd like to move to another country, although many countries are mostly the same.

NiKva

How could you get culture shocked if you can't even remember before you were living there? :roll:

Good article. I don't think, when I eventually do, that I would travel alone anyway.

I be American, I would nut ever want to leave. Well maybe Canada, they are kind of noobs, but it's like the same thing, just moar nooby.

First, it depends entirely on the country you're planning to move, if you deliberately want to move to a country that hates americans then you will find problems. For the most part though the whole article is wrong. People from all over the world would kill to tell their friends that they have an "american friend", even as much as helping you with miscellaneous things just to hang out with you. The goverment(s) also wants you there because of the money you carry with you, and the more money you could potentially bring to the country regardless of how small it may be. The only good advice you can give to someone traveling to various other countries is to stop acting stupid all the time(i.e pulling maps/guides in public, etc etc). If foreign people see that they can take advantage of you they will. nintendog66

No it is true - whilst of course some cultures may find you as an American somewhat exotic, after a while you just want to talk about things like football, 'that program on the telly' - all those things that you love and define you in a way are lost. Trust me it aint a walk in the park - takes a lot of effort and a lot of compromise...

Makes me happy I have no intentions on leaving.

Very true. Just adjusting to the United States after moving from England took a long time, and the countries are extremely similar. I couldn't imagine moving to a country like Japan, Korea, or Canada.stanleycup98

Wait... Canada? They are the closet to American culture by far. So if you are used to American culture, you shouldn't have a very hard time adapting.

There is a general hate for americans that is plain stupid. Sure US political affairs have pissed off a lot of people worldwide; but a US citicen coming to Europe for work, tourism or whatever have nothing to do with what corporations and politics do.

I must say I'm growind tired of that general "we hate americans because it's trendy" crap... people are in their right to give opinions; but one things is goverment and other is population.

(BTW; I was born in Spain, son of an American woman, living in Germany now :) )

[QUOTE="stanleycup98"]Very true. Just adjusting to the United States after moving from England took a long time, and the countries are extremely similar. I couldn't imagine moving to a country like Japan, Korea, or Canada.Wasdie

Wait... Canada? They are the closet to American culture by far. So if you are used to American culture, you shouldn't have a very hard time adapting.

By all means, if you hate this country PLEASE leave.airshocker

I mean, every single day I say I'm going to leave New York. I've been saying that for four years now, still haven't left.

airshocker

Maybe it's time you started following your own advice from the quote above....simply substitute State for Country.

He created jobs in Texas, and that's what we desperately need in the country. I'm tired of this unemployment and this sluggish economy and I think he's one of the candidates who can do it. That's literally ALL that matters to me in this election.

airshocker

Well, maybe you should move to Texas....like you said, if you hate where you are PLEASE leave.

Hahaha. Oh, that was a glorious read. Thanks for sharing that. Brings back memories of my own experiences.

Only if you act like an american. I'm essencially American and I've been to Portugal, Spain, France,Germany, Morroco, Angola, and Zâmbia. Zâmbia was the only place where I got racism, because they hate outsiders all together. This might be because I try not to speak english around them, and that I'm not completely American. I feel sorry for those of you who have had bad experiences while travelling. :?

Maybe it's time you started following your own advice from the quote above....simply substitute State for Country.

Well, maybe you should move to Texas....like you said, if you hate where you are PLEASE leave.

locknload17

Would if I could.

And why should I go to Texas when he has a shot at becoming President?

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

[QUOTE="stanleycup98"]Very true. Just adjusting to the United States after moving from England took a long time, and the countries are extremely similar. I couldn't imagine moving to a country like Japan, Korea, or Canada.stanleycup98

Wait... Canada? They are the closet to American culture by far. So if you are used to American culture, you shouldn't have a very hard time adapting.

Only if you act like an american. I'm essencially American and I've been to Portugal, Spain, France,Germany, Morroco, Angola, and Zâmbia. Zâmbia was the only place where I got racism, because they hate outsiders all together. This might be because I try not to speak english around them, and that I'm not completely American. I feel sorry for those of you who have had bad experiences while travelling. :?

parkurtommo

You and a few other people on this thread seem to be forgetting that the article is talking about people who want to leave America to LIVE in another country, not just visit as a tourist. The article itself makes that distinction clear.

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"]

Only if you act like an american. I'm essencially American and I've been to Portugal, Spain, France,Germany, Morroco, Angola, and Zâmbia. Zâmbia was the only place where I got racism, because they hate outsiders all together. This might be because I try not to speak english around them, and that I'm not completely American. I feel sorry for those of you who have had bad experiences while travelling. :?

Blaze787

You and a few other people on this thread seem to be forgetting that the article is talking about people who want to leave America to LIVE in another country, not just visit as a tourist. The article itself makes that distinction clear.

Would if I could.

airshocker

What's stopping you? If you don't like it...leave...isn't that your motto?

And why should I go to Texas when he has a shot at becoming President?

airshocker

Yep...nothing brings together a country more then a secessionist mentality.

Maybe they'll hold another prayer rally to make it happen...let's see if it turns out better then the one to make it rain.

What's stopping you? If you don't like it...leave...isn't that your motto?

Yep...nothing brings together a country more then a secessionist mentality.

Maybe they'll hold another prayer rally to make it happen...maybe it'll turn out better then the one for rain.

locknload17

What do you care what's stopping me? All you need to know is that I can't.

Exactly what would we need to secede from if Rick Perry became President? The UN? The entire country would rise up in one great cheer if that happened.

Last time I checked the prayer rally was an optional event. I don't recall seeing people forced to go there. What's your problem with it, again?

What do you care what's stopping me? All you need to know is that I can't.airshocker

I guess you're a "special" case...ie, you post rhetoric you yourself won't follow...I can see why you like a man who now wants to be in charge of a nation that he was calling for succession from.