I was wrong about being an expat
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- čas přidán 10. 01. 2022
- As a Canadian expat in the UK, I've learned a few things about what it means to be a foreigner. Here's the lessons I've learned that being an expat, isn't what you think it is.
I now consider myself an immigrant, since I've been living and working in the UK for the last 6 years (I typically use the word "expat" for those who are living abroad but not long-term). But I hope this advice is helpful to any newcomers to the UK!
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Hey! I'm Alanna - a twenty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.
I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a CZcams video every Tuesday and an additional video every Saturday on my Patreon account. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30pm GMT on Twitch.
Alanna x
I really appreciate how well Alanna balances both the positive and the negative aspects of moving abroad. Her honesty is refreshing!
You're too kind! ☺️
@@AdventuresAndNaps Are you planning on applying for citizenship like another vlogger has just got her duel citizenship?
Told it like it is, no sugar coating 😁
Great advice on the budget.
@@dave_h_8742 Let's hope so. Girls that can go London could also go Kent!
You would probably settle in most places because of how YOU are.
@@AdventuresAndNaps please don't egnore pleased help me
To be fair to you, I don't think many people who have followed your vlogs could accuse you of sugar-coating the problems and issues you come across. Well done for your honesty over the entire 6 years.
Thanks so much!
I’m glad you found that the good outweighs the bad here right now, I think we benefit from having you here. Thank you for the video, I hope you have a great week.
I appreciate that, thanks so much!
I think you are so right about people bringing their troubles with them. Many people somehow believe that if only they could move abroad, they will have a fabulous exciting and romantic life. In truth, most people's lives are pretty humdrum and have difficult patches, and you cannot run away from who you are. That said, I respect anyone who has the courage to give it a go.
Great video, very interesting! My younger self always dreamed of living somewhere else, now my older self barely leaves the house 😂 Its truly great to see advice that feels real, hopefully this helps people thinking about becoming expats!
Loving the little text bubbles, they're a cool addition!
Thank you so much Gem!!
I moved to the UK 6 months ago and it completely ruined me emotionally and even physically. I miss my home country so bad. I wish I knew the challenges before coming here, but, I am hopeful things will get better with time 😞
I've been an expat. for over 10 years now and I don't regret it but this video does make some good points. One thing to bear in mind is that if you don't take the plunge you may spend the rest of your life asking yourself "what if?". Back in the 1960s my parents looked into the idea of relocating from UK to New Zealand. They decided against it in the end but I've often wondered what our lives would have been like had we made that move. I initially moved to Hungary and after a few years decided it was not the right country for me but I now live in Croatia, which suits me better.
Hopefully your words of wisdom will help others, but sometimes people have to learn the hard way. Thanks Alanna for another great A&N episode...
Thanks Steve!
I agree with this 100 percent. When I moved, I was completely excited and I couldn't wait to settle in to life in England. I didn't expect the homesickness, feeling isolated, and lonely would be so much. It got better once I integrated more and started having friendships with others besides my partner.
I would completely recommend someone move here as long as they have a good support system and find ways of dealing with the unpleasant side of immigrating.
As an Englishman saying this, you have serious guts to upsticks and move to a foreign land. I’m glad things are working out for you now.
@@anikejulien7273 I made a friend through work and kept nurturing that friendship. We are best friends. It can be hard to make friends as adults, but with the right person, the effort pays off.
Hi, Alanna, very interesting and very useful for any potential expat. I like the graphics they appear very professional. I hope this goes well.
Thank you so much!
Takes a lot of courage to up-sticks and travel halfway across the world. I cant imagine how isolated and vulnerable one could feel in a totally new country and environment when things go south. When you most desperately need your family friends and home comforts. But look how tough you are and how far you have come 6 years on. Just awesome!! 😉 🎈🎉🎆.
It's a long way - I wouldn't like to walk and swim it- but not near half way round the world.🛫🌍🛬🌎✖️🌏 but just another 3,000 miles😱 to Augusta, Australia.
I knew living abroad was not going to be for me because of the cost of returning to the UK to see my family. For over 30 years my parents, siblings and their extended families have always lived in different parts of the UK. So it's not like we see each other _that_ often and it costs money when we do. But making the move out of the UK and then returning to the UK to see my family, or them coming to see me was just so much more expensive overall. Plus the idea of not being able to get in the car and rush to see them because they were in hospital or something was simply a deal breaker. The only countries I would have moved to are Germany and The Netherlands.
I like the new graphics 👍👍👍
Thanks Duncan!!
Great video Alanna. One good video that tells people how it really can be moving countries and all the pitfalls is worth more that a thousand videos on social media saying how wonderful it is and is far more useful. Well done. 👏👏👏
Thanks so much!
Hi Alanna We're all glad you're still here & enjoying your pompaddoms ! Jim, Surrey X
Thanks so much!
Really enjoyed the video, I related to a lot of things you said being a Canadian expat myself. Living abroad also means overcoming many obstacles. Thank you for being honest throughout the video!
Thank you so much!
Just in the joy of loving hearts ♥️🇬🇧
Well articulated Alannah. I would also add that you don't really know a country unless you've lived their for 2 years minimum (and work of course).
We've been expats for 8 years (Dubai, Paris, Kuala Lumpur) and so many people here at home (Sussex) think it was all glitz, glamour, excitement, sunshine, swimming pools and parties. It wasn't! It was a great experience of course but it was nothing like I'd imagined. We're home now and can't imagine living anywhere else at least until the over reaction to covid has blown itself out.
Another enjoyable vid - 😁👍
Thanks so much!
Its also totally true that you take your 'problems with you' . Anyone who changes jobs should realize that.
A lot of people imagine that living and working in another country is like being on holiday, but the reality is that you are having to work, it is really tough going and you do miss your family and friends.
Found your channel by accident during the Xmas time. Enjoy your videos. I was like you moved to UK in 2000. From the west Midlands. We talk to people at the local pub and I know almost everyone at my local
Thanks for watching!
You are such a clear comumicator, and you always keep it interesting. A well thought out and presented piece of advice. Love the new A+N look too 👍👍
Thanks so much!
@@AdventuresAndNaps 😀 😊👍
I want to move abroad, just like you did! I love hearing your perspective and learning more about moving abroad, you help me feel like moving abroad is possible and feel like it’s something that I can do! I really appreciate that! I love your channel!
Thanks so much Aaron!
Great video as always Alanna. Very interesting and helpful. 🙂
Thanks so much!
It's good that you had/have realistic expectations about living in another country Alanna. One of my friends has lived and worked in Portugal for almost 20 years, his life is there now and he rarely comes back to the UK. He worked hard on learning a new language, getting a job and becoming part of his local community.
Thanks for watching!
Outstanding video, Alanna!
Thanks so much!
Lots of useful advice Alanna, backed up with personal experience and realism - it must be all too easy to get sucked in by all of the positives and miss a few of the less good elements. Hopefully anyone who is thinking of taking the plunge and moving to a new country will take the time to check it out, and all of your earlier videos, so that they can steer around all of the potholes in their particular journey!!
Thank you so much!!
@4:44. Thats some truth right there. I've lived in the UK for 4 months now and absolutely love it, but you're telling it like it is. No fake social media veneer, no filter. Everyone who wants to move abroad needs to watch this.
Thank you!!
Like a lot of people born in the UK I moved to London from a small town up north aged 21 for work and everything you say in your video rings so true to my younger self back then (especially waiting for the 260 bus after work in the rain and dark). It's not really an expat thing though - this video could equally be called life isnt what you think it is.
Excellent Alana. I have seen Expats come and go in the UK. Many return to their native country after a few years, as they do miss heat, light and sunshine.
You touched on one point which affects Brits. Going to work when its dark and returning home without seeing any glimmer of the Sun. That daily grind is horrible, you got to be stoic in the face of dark, cold days.
What really gets to me in Winter - is horizontal, freezing rain sandblasting your face. Going through that every winter is truly dreadful. The solution is really to book a holiday for week away in Mid December to Madiera, or Lanzarote, it really really helps. Otherwise you go mad...twitch twitch....
Alanna, you're so right ! Just because one saves up a lot of money to spend a handful of days somewhere, some people think it'll be a great place to live, though they'll have to spend most of the daylight hours working there just to remain.
I thank you for your appreciation and positive feelings towards England and its people despite the difficulties.
Yay! My favourite part of the day 🎉
Welcome back to the show
Alanna is actually an old Celtic name meaning 'Spreadsheets, Budgeting, Adventures, Travelling, Naps, cheeses & Butler', true story, I googled it 😂
Thanks for the insights!
😂
I enjoy your experiences. Much appreciated.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for an honest video about your experience. The expectation is all great but there are negatives you never expected and you may not have had previous experience to help you cope.
Thanks for watching!
Great video and thanks for always making me laugh! The crazy thing for me now is feeling like neither where I’m from in NY, and where I currently am in the UK, fit me that well. They both have their pros and cons to me but something is still missing. Guess that’s the beauty of moving abroad!
You're totally right!
Fantastic video. Very frank and honest, and brave to admit it. I'm sure it will be very useful to people still thinking of heading over here. Top job.
Thanks so much!
Well balanced and sound advice for anyone going to any country...and all delivered with a dose of Alana humour that we love. 😊
Thanks so much!
Excellent video Alana, showing the very real problems of moving to a new country. I only moved from Cardiff to Bristol and as you say, but home sickness became an issue that I never expected, plus the stress of new job in a different industry, 20yrs later thank god no issues and really happy.
Thanks so much!
Some brilliant advice.
Thank you!
Silver CZcams Plaque looking good in the background. 👌👍😁. It might have been in previous ones but as a man, it takes time to notice these things. 😂, you know similar to how long it takes for us to notice our partners had a haircut. 💇♀️😂. Really great video, can hear the passion in your voice and how your own experiences show through even if you don't discuss in each topic in deep detail in this one. 🙂
I can't believe you don't have multi-million subs yet. You have so much talent for this whole thing - whatever it is - on the Tube or elsewhere (?!)
You're too kind!
Thanks, again, Alana. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada, Vancouver.
Thanks for watching!
I love life coach/life advice Alanna. You pick pertinent points and give considered opinions. You may have missed your calling. As much as I love Australia, it was difficult, when we emigrated, as an 8 year old with a broad Yorkshire accent who couldn't be understood by other kids and most of my teachers. Years later when I visited Leeds with my Australian girlfriend she was getting depressed because she couldn't understand conversations and locals found her accent difficult. To make matters worse I kept falling back into my old Yorkshire accent.
You have broken all my dreams! I hope you're happy now.👏
One problem unique to immigrants is if you complain about anything then the response is usually “well if you don’t like it here…….”
That's a good point!
It's a fair point though. You wouldn't go into someone else's house and start picking apart the way they do things and run the place.
@@adamisonyoutube Theres a very big difference between going into someones house and moving to another country. especially when it comes to dealing with disappointment
Updated artwork at the end of the video is pretty cool too. 👌🙂
Thanks! 😁
Lovevhow you are always balanced , yet seem so positive. I hope 2022 is full of peace , health and prosperity.
Thank you!
Well said, young lady. I wasn’t exactly an expat but I was sent to the USA by my company for 9 months. I think your comment that you never know a country until you’ve worked there is right on the nail. I saw and heard a lot that surprised, astounded, shocked, depressed, amused and inspired me. I’ve found that my view of USA now radically differs from those who have only holidayed there. I also got desperately homesick and I only just stopped myself from kissing the tarmac when I eventually landed home at Heathrow!
Thanks so much!
As an Englishman who lived in America for over four years, I can confirm that literally everything Alana says in this video is true, and that anyone considering emigrating to anywhere should remember the points she makes.
Thanks so much - I really appreciate that!
We hope that you will stay with us. England loves you. X
Thank you!!
Love this so so informative and balanced ❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹
Thanks so much!
I think this video will also be useful for students leaving home to go to university, (or a gap year) , in a completely different place from home, for the first time (like my twin daughters next September). An excellent flying from the nest video.
Thank you! I hope it can help others
Very realistic analysis of the truth!!
I came to Netherlands almost 10 years ago and it's worse when you have to cope with a foreign language aswell. It's been worth it but not all plain sailing or easy UK to Holland is easier than most countries but you are still wishing some things were just like home.
Best wishes to all who have made the move and tried to accept their new life in another country. Like the videos. Very factual sometimes funny but always honest. Thanks for reminding us how different UK is!!
Alanna this is really good advice for people not just X pats but all of us. Thank You.
Glad you think so!
your video's are always great thank God it's Tuesday
Glad you like them!
Hi Alanna another great video I'm a new subscriber keep them coming I love your taste test videos love from a fellow Brit
Thanks so much!
Thanks Alanna! I think you mentioned in other videos how difficult the first several months can be - My wife and I already agreed to fully commit to 1 year before reassessing whether this is right for us. So I’d say to people dont be too hasty, bring lots of patience and make sure you give it an honest try before giving up.
That's a great way to look at it!
Great Video and great perspectives 😊🙌⭐🌈
Thank you! Cheers!
I lived and worked in Spain for two years back in the 1980’s and I eventually returned to the UK because I missed my family.
Thanks Alanna, for your honesty.
Thanks so much for watching!
Alanna, the most delightful Canadian gal on the tubyinterweb! We love you here in the UK!
You're too kind!
There's so much good advice in your video. I'm an English migrant living and working in Austria, and the move to my new country was super exciting. And yet, even before I moved, I knew the practicalities of life in a new country would not be easy. But I did it anyway. I think finding your way through the residency requirements, figuring out how the health system works etc. are just a couple of examples of things that have caused me anxiety since arriving in Austria to live, back in 2018. Has it been worth it? For me, yes. There are so many wonderful things to discover here. And I am fortunate to have the support of my Austrian partner, sharing my life here. Do I miss England? Yes, I do - but if I wasn't in Austria, then I would miss Austria. So, for me, the good outweighs the bad. I'm happy to live in beautiful Austria and I'm also looking forward to a holiday in wonderful England, hopefully not too far in the future!
Thanks so much for sharing - glad to hear you've had a great time in Austria!
Excellent and important messages. I think myself, from time to time, that it would be fun to move half way around the world. The reasons may vary, but my age, access (or lack of easy access) to medical care and not being fluent in languages where I might move. Your emphasis on preparation for such a move, skill in budgeting and readiness to be in a new country where you may not have friends are critical for everyone to consider. Thanks.
Sage advice. Running out of money when living abroad is something I've done a few times and it is not fun.
Hi, your description of a lousy day at work struck a chord, I have lived and worked abroad and experienced similar days. Wet and windy Britain in the winter is dreary but…. At least the snow isn’t over my head and I don’t have to worry about bears chewing my a$$ on a hike in the woods 😁. Managing expectations is always a good idea but sometimes blissful ignorance can get you started.
Thanks so much!
Really enjoyed this. Always enjoy hearing your honest opinions, feel more people should be. Though I get with the old steryotypical people saying "if you don't like it' so on so forth but no doubt they'll complain about the same things. Personally I respect anyone who has the will to move away, even if it doesn't work but thats life.
Always thought about moving away when I was younger & now I just go out & about whenever I can & I'm happy. Now the inportant question is have you budgeted for going to peoples house to scream at them to budget their money?
Thanks so much Ash! I've got "screaming at others re: budget" in my budget! 😂
Great video Alanna
Thank you!!
We all love you xxx
Now I am even more intrigued...I want to see more of the anxiety please...
Glad you found right Balance living in UK
London is fun but can be hard glad your happy in Kent
Thanks for watching!
😮 That's it, I'm staying put!! 😂😂
Hey Alanna. Great video. It's nice to see this type of video again, they're always informative. Your bus was on time, what is this mythical experience you speak of?
If it's not too personal, can I ask if you ever seriously thought of returning home in those early times? I know you have had/have Mr Naps here, which is a big positive but many folks don't have that and are completely on their own.
Thanks so much! The first 5 months were ROUGH and I thought about calling off the whole thing many times!
@@AdventuresAndNaps Thank you kindly for the reply. Glad you got through it. 🙂
like me. 7 years in uk all alone.
@@alien-vx2bj I'm in the UK and spent just over a year in New York with my other half (because of her job). We had a lot taken care of for us, like rent etc and even then it wasn't easy at the start. How folks do it fully on their own is something else. Good on you for making it 7 years, I'm genuinely impressed with those who can manage that.
Oooo, see Grumpy Alanna in the thumbnail. Imagine what she looks like when she's pissed (annoyed).
The one person you can't run away from is yourself... eventually you have to stop and deal with yourself...
i hadnt considered some of those perspectives. thanks
Thanks for watching!
As someone constantly thinking of moving to the UK and what life would be like there, thank you for this very sound advice. I've thinking about the differences between there and the US even though I believe if God is leading me tho the UK or anywhere, He will definitely provide for me, after watching this I definitely want to make sure He's leading me . I don't want to move there and have all the negative happen.
Really helpful.
Glad you think so!
Please use that thumbnail for all future videos, it's amazing 🤣🤣
😂
I was lucky when I worked abroad. I spent 6 months in Staten Island, New York in 1994. in 1998 I spent 6 months in Italy and then late 1998 I was offered secondment in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The tours to Italy and Amsterdam allowed me a flight budget of a weekend at home every 6 weeks. Sometimes I could use the budget for my brother, sister-in-law and their son to visit me. They also found me my apartment. One big advantage was that I was guaranteed my job when I went back to the UK. The posting to Amsterdam lasted 4 years. I believe I was very lucky with my times as an ex-pat. Each time I was working with other Brits and locals. My only costa was food, drink and leisure travel, I sail I was lucky but work was hard, shift work sometimes, but I picked up loads of technical knowledge.
Cool video thanks Alanna....
Thanks for watching!
I'm 79 years of age but I still remember my grandfather saying "You can't put an old head on young shoulders" and generally, I think he was right but Alana you really do demonstrate such common sense and wisdom that it gives the lie to his saying. I have lived as an expat in Hong Kong and Australia but the big difference for me was that my wife was with me throughout so I didn't experience the loneliness you speak of although I did miss other family members. I didn't feel homesick very much; hardly at all in fact because I loved my life in those places in spite of having very stressful jobs which were far from enjoyable at times.
I love your vivacity in your videos; thank you for them and for the pleasure I get from these glimpses into your life both here and in Canada.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
As always, a wonderful video a excellent advice, I know that I could not do what you have done, but I have other reasons for that, but life isn't always kind and the "unexpected" is pretty much inevitable, I like that you said about not being afraid to admit that it's not for you, it's difficult to do that, but there is no shame in doing so, how would you know if you hadn't tried? As much as it hurts it's better than not trying and always wondering what if and if only?
Take care and stay safe :)
Thanks so much!
You did have a good start with English as a first language, I work with a whole bunch of people that don't have that. Take care :)
My view of Texas, before I moved there, was totally different to the Texas I found when I got there. After about 3 months, you are resenting the alarm going off, your local supermarket just becomes a supermarket, rather than that "American" supermarket. Driving around the city of Houston was very special for a while, then it became the normal chore, like it was back at home. It was nice having $99 weekends in Vegas and Miami, etc. though! So, I can totally feel for you, Alanna!
Thanks so much for watching! Never been to Texas before, but hopefully some day!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video as it made me think back to when I took the plunge myself. I left the US to work in China early in 1998. Google did not exist yet when I moved overseas. CZcams? didn’t come into existence until 2005. Research into my destination was not nearly as detailed as what you can do now. Yahoo was about 4 years old and some help but mostly I was going into it blind. No regrets, all part of the adventure. I’ve met a lot of expats over the years and have noticed a pattern. They move abroad. At first there’s some trepidation quickly turning into curiosity and a desire to explore their new home. After a couple of years they start to become disillusioned and even angry that their new home isn’t more like their old one. You can here them everywhere starting half their sentences with “Where I come from we do it this way…” or “In the US we do this or have that”. People get tired of hearing it. Sometimes after a couple of years more this turns into a hatred of the new and enough to make them return to their previous country. Others move forward starting to accept, like and maybe eventually love their new home and like me can never imagine moving back ’home’ but not ruling out a new expat destination for their retirement years instead. These time frames are variable and different for everyone but from what I’ve seen the stages are pretty much the same for most expats. In the end don’t expect your new home to be the same as your old. If that’s what you want it’s better to just stay home. And no you can’t run from your problems that’s not the right reason for moving abroad. Great video as always
I'm liking these new thumbnails.
Glad to hear it!
my love nice one😍😍
Thank you for the flag and CZcams button in the background!
Thanks for watching!
@@AdventuresAndNaps Been watching you for years (here on CZcams - before you think I'm some crazy stalker!) and you're delightful. Delightfully Canadian.
I’m one of those people, who naively think it’s all roses and sunshine, thank you for adding the realism.
Welcome to sad boi bummer hour with Alanna! lol This is important stuff to think of though obviously.
🙏🏻
Hi Alanna,you talk of the positives and negative’s of being an ex pat…being a Brit.myself I think I find the same thing about living in the UK…maybe more of the Brit.is rubbing off on you than you think.I am pleased for you that you are happy here.cheers.Roly 🇬🇧.
Great, we’ll balanced video. I was the person who moved abroad, then realised ‘It’s not for me.’
More of the same, sweetheart. Love your channel.
I find these videos absoluting fascinating Alanna.
I'm an old bloke (60), but many years ago I was going to emigrate to Australia.
I planned it methodically.
Spent a lot of money preparing.
Built up my expectations.
And then..."Life" happened.
And I never went.
My girlfriend (later wife) declared that she was pregnant, and I decided to stay.
That "pregnancy" is now my 37 year old son, and I love him to bits.
I stayed...and had three lovely children, all older than you now, and have had a fascinating life
As John Lennon once said...
"LIFE...is what happens while your making plans"
Curiously enough, my eldest daughter DID end up going to live and work in Australia, but she's back "home" now.
"Home"...is where the heart is. ♥️😊👍
Thanks so much for watching!
Canadians are citizens of the commonwealth and have the same head of state as the British and so you always were one of us.
Hi. As a Brit who has lived in multiple countries over the last 30 years, I have to say the one thing I have never done is thought of myself as an "ExPat". If I go to live in a country, I want to do what everyone else does. I chose to live in that country to experience the differences and to live differently, otherwise - why did I move? Everywhere I have lived, I have come across little enclaves of Brits, Americans, Canadians and Aussies and they always congregate in their own cliques. That's only a physical/geographical move, not a personal move to a new country. Learning the local language (if they are non-English speakers) has been half the fun. Being able to read a local newspaper (I know that dates me) is so empowering and by getting involved in local life, you never feel like a 'foreigner'. I guess others are looking at their move as temporary and only want to compare it to their home country. The - oh they don't do it as well as we do - mindset will make integrating that much harder. FULL DISCLOSURE: Canada is my favourite country on earth and I am only sorry that I was never able to live there for longer than 6 months.
Your accent is sounding much more British! ☺️
A few things I would recommend if you can manage them (some are just in general)
1) Try to have a long live there type holiday before moving to a new country
2) Save save save before you go better to have to much money (as if) than not enough.
3) Set yourself goals (will get you through those dreary days at work) traveling, visits etc even stuff at weekend (so easy to get in a rut).
4) Budget how long it will take you to get going in a new country (obviously if you are moving for work which I did this is very different) but friends thought everything would go quick.
5) While accept if it is not for you, also recognise that there will be periods where you are not happy even if you are to go on to have a great new life so do not give up to easy.
6) Try to Enjoy and realise how lucky you are to experience more of the world (Honestly you realise people are people world wide it is just governments that suck :) ).
As an expat 🇨🇦 to South Korea 🇰🇷 in the late 1970s I discovered that the Korean Won was worthless outside the country. I had a small debt that I had been making payments on and now I couldn’t send any money I made working back to Canada. I had to ask my parents to pay off my small debt until I returned to North America and was making money. Sadly I had done no research on money in South Korea before moving there, much to my mortification and embarrassment. Live and Learn!!
The moral seems to be, look before you leap. Hard to understand your anxiety as from this vantage point you can do no wrong!
Certainly the first 5 years as an expat money is super tight. Much more so that I ever anticipated. Its so expensive moving abroad and the costs do not stop once you arrive. It takes years to fully settle financially. Agree - budget, budget, budget.
Agreed!
I have a couple of questions for Alanna
1, What made you want to come to England? Was it work related? Or personal relationships? Or you just fancied living here? What made you say "Yes, I'm going to live in England!"
2, Do you ever look back at your early videos and think "What was I doing?" Is there something you would tell your earlier self that you've learnt since you moved here?
Anyway sorry for all the questions. Great video as always. Stay safe.
As a Brit who has lived and worked all over the world for the last 40 years (with some short stays in the UK) I can say your on the mark in what you say. I will also say that if you are out of your own country for long enough, when you go back you can end up feeling a foreigner in your own country.
That's a great point, I totally forgot!
Your point really resonated with me...
That can happen even when moving within a country. You move away for work, live in a new place for years, and then go back to your home town and it has changed so much that it doesn’t feel like home anymore. Everywhere in the world is changing, and being away from a place for years means that you see the changes when you go back.
Very true I've moved around a fair bit and eventually ended up back in my hometown which had changed so much I just didn't feel comfortable there, I moved again because of work and am now back about 50 miles from where I grew up. I actually don't feel like I have a real place now that I call home, I've lost the sense of place and where I live is just another place to me. I've lost the feeling of attachment to "home".
@@jerry2357 What you say is absolutely true but that is only part of it. Even when you move great distances within your country you are still within the same culture (be it there may be slight differences) you still grow with that culture and know how it works and are influenced by it. When you move abroad that all stops at the point of departure and I'm not talking about short term stayers. You start to pick up different ways; you start to have a different/broader perspective on life. I do know that there are a lot of expats (of all nationalities) that this would almost not apply too - they just stay in their self made bubbles: then you come back, and as you rightly say, you can think what the hell happened here! But the truth is, you have gone one way and your country has gone another way. Then there is the day to day ways of life that you have to re learn - it's can be surprising where that can trip you up - even in what is now acceptable or not in what you say and how you say it. You also can lose a sense of belonging to your. Nation ( even if you still love it as I do) or have no sense of really belonging anywhere. All this is far to complicated to really explain and each will cone to there own truth on the matter.