Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

[Rooster_2006]

Main reason not to go home:

I think there's a special glory in becoming a successful immigrant. You start out with almost zero knowledge about the country in which you're living, but everyday, you become more and more knowledgeable. Your first breakthrough occurs when you speak the language well enough or have enough local knowledge to help out another foreigner. Eventually you "go native" and become an expert. It's the same kind of reward that a person would feel by pursuing a PhD, I guess. Once you become fluent in the local language and gain permanent residency, a huge number of awesome opportunities open up that either wouldn't open up at all back home, or wouldn't open up in the same way.

For examples of this, I look at people such as Thomas Blake Glover (Scotsman who "made it" in Japan during the Meiji Restoration), Debito Arudou (tenured professor in Japan, NJ rights activist), Stephen Revere (graduate of YSKLI's Korean teacher training academy, host of Arirang's "Let's Learn Korean"), Gary Rector (white guy who came to Korea in the 60s with the Peace Corps, naturalized, and is now a translator), etc.

For me, English teacher is just a temporary means to an end until I write my own success story.

I don't delude myself into thinking "the money is better here." I make about $1,200 a month. I'm taxed at 18%, leaving about $984 per month after taxes. I stay on this side of the world for non-economic reasons.

[Shonai Ben]

why do I stay?........two reasons.......easy money and the women.

[Teacher in Rome]

Since 1991, with a couple of years back in London and some travelling in Asia. 4 years in HK, 3 years in Netherlands, and in Italy since 2001.

I regularly go back to London for a shot of English-speaking culture, but wouldn't want to live there permanently. Ultimately I'd also like to buy a small flat in London - part investment against what might happen in Italy, and part temporary home.

Basil still the clear winner!

[steki47]

6 years total, all in Japan.

5 years straight, went back to the US for 6 months and came back last year. Real happy I did!

[gaijinalways]

I think the standard of living related with income is a big reason at the moment. The price of property is also very high too, but my wife's parents have helped us a bit with that.

Language and customs are not the main reasons I would stay here, but they're also not the main reasons I would leave either.

If I were to land a job stateside or get a business started that would support us at a similar level to what my wife is accustomed (been trying to work on that one), I would be gone in a heart beat.

[Glenski]

Been teaching since 1998, all in Japan.

[scot47]

I had a spell back in Britain in the late 1970's and 1980's. Gave that up and returned to EFL-ing. Retirement is now on the horizon. I have made provision of a sort so that I can retire in genteel poverty.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Been living abroad since 2001:
Ukraine
Mexico
Argentina
India
Russia (currently)

Why haven't I gone home? EFL is a career for me, and I can make much more abroad than I could back in the States (where well-paid ESL positions are few and far between). I might go back one day; going to a different country or simply staying in Russia seem more probable prospects in the shorter-term, however.

[denise]

[veiledsentiments]

I had no plans to ever return to the US. I had been checking into retirement options in Cyprus or Costa Rica or Mexico. But when age and poor health overtakes one's parents, plans can take an unexpected turn. As an only child, who could afford to retire, I did what I had said since 1970 I would never do... go back home.

VS

[johnslat]

Dear Denise,

"Genteel poverty? Is that what we can all look forward to if we plan carefully?"

Only if we're very lucky - planning carefully often doesn't help (see veiled sentiments post above.)

"The best-laid schemes of mice and men / Go oft awry"

I spent 21 1/2 years (the 1/2 year because my time in Iran was interrupted by the Islamic Revolution - yet another instance of my plans' going awry) overseas ELFing.
Now I'm living in Santa Fe, NM, collecting a rather meager Social Security check monthly, working part-time teaching ESL at the local community college, and doing some private tutoring.
But I wouldn't call it "genteel poverty." I could not work if I so desired and be OK financially.
What we might think of as "genteel poverty" would likely seem like a "lavish life" to much of the rest of the world.
It's all relative.

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."

So much better in the original, no?

[Sadebugo]

Some of the above posts is why I feel so fortunate to have my current job knowing retirement is taken care of.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[naturegirl321]