The immigrant feeling in a foreign country
[quote=FIREdreamer;617935]I understand that expats might not FEEL like immigrants, especially after living in a foreign country for many years (I know I don't). But my point was that, no matter how they feel, they ARE immigrants. I don't know much about Singapore immigration laws, but the following could happen in a number of countries I am more familiar with: You say that you consider Singapore home, but Singapore could decline to renew your green card for example (it might seem unlikely, but it is a possibility). You probably can't vote in Singapore. And perhaps you can't leave the country for extended periods of time without prior approval from the government. Perhaps, still, you can't move within Singapore without notifying the government of your new address, etc... So you may not feel like an immigrant, but you are clearly not a full fledged Singaporian citizen with all the rights and privileges that go with the title. Some people could be bothered with that "second class citizen" aspect.
As for the second part of your post, I think we need to distinguish between two situations. If your colleagues said something like "American foreign policy sucks", I think it's easy not to take it personally because you can always reason that you are not responsible for that policy, and you may even disagree with the said policy. But what if somebody said (on TV for example) something like "America sucks" or "Americans suck"? Would you still not take it personally? As a proud American, would you not get hurt by such comment? I know I would. That's why you need to develop a thick skin so you don't work yourself up everytime that happens. It's the people who are not proud of their country (and IMHO of who they are) who don't need a thick skin.[/quote]
I agree with everything you say. I'm returning to establish a more permanent home in the States only to be able to leave again. It's a good feeling to have a home in the USA first, and venture overseas for a temporary home. At the moment, I literally have absolutely no home base in the States, since I've been gone since the 1970's, except for a couple years in Texas. That being said, my "green card" in Singapore will most likely never be revoked, and I really do feel totally at home there. Perhaps it is the fact that English is the main language and I can communicate very well.
As for the comments I hear, perhaps I've heard once or twice in 10 years that "America sucks" or "Americans suck". That makes me a little angry, and whoever says it, I'll ask them to explain why. They always refer to American foreign policy or the lack of personal safety, and instead of saying that, they just say "Amerca sucks".
What makes me a lot more concerned than that, however, is the fact that a much larger number of students than before really hesitate to get their undergraduate degrees from the US. They read and hear about our gun culture, the extensive paperwork for entering the States, and the high tuitions, and they're turned off. I know there are some good justifications for the paperwork, but I'm just saying what I hear all the time.
Where I am living now, I definitely feel totally foreign. As much as the Jordanian culture is fascinating with the Dead Sea a 15 minute car ride and Petra and Jarash within a couple of hours, I could never be here long term. As a non-Muslim, trying to fit into a Middle Eastern nation is difficult.
Regards,
Rob
[quote=FIREdreamer;617935]I understand that expats might not FEEL like immigrants, especially after living in a foreign country for many years (I know I don't). But my point was that, no matter how they feel, they ARE immigrants. I don't know much about Singapore immigration laws, but the following could happen in a number of countries I am more familiar with: You say that you consider Singapore home, but Singapore could decline to renew your green card for example (it might seem unlikely, but it is a possibility). You probably can't vote in Singapore. And perhaps you can't leave the country for extended periods of time without prior approval from the government. Perhaps, still, you can't move within Singapore without notifying the government of your new address, etc... So you may not feel like an immigrant, but you are clearly not a full fledged Singaporian citizen with all the rights and privileges that go with the title. Some people could be bothered with that "second class citizen" aspect.
As for the second part of your post, I think we need to distinguish between two situations. If your colleagues said something like "American foreign policy sucks", I think it's easy not to take it personally because you can always reason that you are not responsible for that policy, and you may even disagree with the said policy. But what if somebody said (on TV for example) something like "America sucks" or "Americans suck"? Would you still not take it personally? As a proud American, would you not get hurt by such comment? I know I would. That's why you need to develop a thick skin so you don't work yourself up everytime that happens. It's the people who are not proud of their country (and IMHO of who they are) who don't need a thick skin.[/quote]
I agree with everything you say. I'm returning to establish a more permanent home in the States only to be able to leave again. It's a good feeling to have a home in the USA first, and venture overseas for a temporary home. At the moment, I literally have absolutely no home base in the States, since I've been gone since the 1970's, except for a couple years in Texas. That being said, my "green card" in Singapore will most likely never be revoked, and I really do feel totally at home there. Perhaps it is the fact that English is the main language and I can communicate very well.
As for the comments I hear, perhaps I've heard once or twice in 10 years that "America sucks" or "Americans suck". That makes me a little angry, and whoever says it, I'll ask them to explain why. They always refer to American foreign policy or the lack of personal safety, and instead of saying that, they just say "Amerca sucks".
What makes me a lot more concerned than that, however, is the fact that a much larger number of students than before really hesitate to get their undergraduate degrees from the US. They read and hear about our gun culture, the extensive paperwork for entering the States, and the high tuitions, and they're turned off. I know there are some good justifications for the paperwork, but I'm just saying what I hear all the time.
Where I am living now, I definitely feel totally foreign. As much as the Jordanian culture is fascinating with the Dead Sea a 15 minute car ride and Petra and Jarash within a couple of hours, I could never be here long term. As a non-Muslim, trying to fit into a Middle Eastern nation is difficult.
Regards,
Rob
