Have you lived abroad? Has this changed your opinion of your home country?

1. 89

   Blond Logicposted 11 years ago

   Have you lived abroad? Has this changed your opinion of your home country?
   
   Is so, what was your view of your own country when you returned if in fact you did return. Was it positive or negative?
   
   

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2. 94

   donnah75posted 11 years ago

   Yes. I wish more US citizens would spend some significant time abroad. My time abroad allowed me to gain a new perspective on this country and the opportunity to see how others perceive us. We are not well liked, I am sad to say.  It made me appreciate my home, but it also allowed me to see the importance of being a positive world citizen. The US is a great country, but in many ways we can and should make an effort to do better.

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   1. 89

      Blond Logicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Donnah,
      Very well said.

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3. 79

   AlexK2009posted 11 years ago

   Yes, several countries in fact. On return I say the bad things about my home country that i never noticed before as well as some good things. 
   
   I prefer living outside my own country. This may change

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   1. 89

      Blond Logicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your answer.

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4. 69

   WalterPoonposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I lived in the Philippines for 2 years from 1983-85. Living in another country gives you perspective. Just like in art, you can't have much perspective, unless you have at least two objects.
   
   When I was there, I just enjoyed myself. Life was good. Having said that, being a citizen and a non-citizen is different. I didn't care about their politics. But looking at their politics, I would say they have more freedom than in my country. Corruption-wise, both are equally bad. Malaysia is luckier in that it has more natural resources, that's all.

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   1. 89

      Blond Logicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is a wonderful line. "Living in another country gives you perspective".  Thank you for your answer.

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5. 64

   Globetrekkermelposted 11 years ago

   I have lived in 2 countries.The Philippines and then eventually moving to the States.Growing up in the Philippines in my early years up to my early adulthood, I still have retained a lot of the values and sentiments inherent being a Filipino.When I moved to the USA many years ago, there were things that were totally different from the way of life in both countries. My first impression living here in the States is the lack of family closeness and friendships.The Philippines has  very close knit family ties and  friendships forged are for life irregardless of geographical distance. I still have university  and high school friends that I have kept in touch throughout the years. American family system does not seem to embody that. Nothing wrong with it , I think, but just a simple observation.

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   1. 89

      Blond Logicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you but it wasn't always  like that. The break down of extended families is, I believe, the cause for many of the problems the USA is experiencing. Where I live in Brazil, family ties are very important. Thank you for your answer.

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   elayne001posted 11 years ago

   I have lived in three other countries, and it definitely made me appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in America more than ever. I now see those freedoms being threatened and it is very frightening.
   
   I pray that our leaders will support the freedoms that have been bought with the blood of so many. Immigrants come from other places because they see what freedoms they could enjoy in America. God bless America!

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   1. 89

      Blond Logicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I believe to appreciate a place you have to leave it. Then you realize how lucky you are to have those freedoms. Thank you

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