have you had the experience of being a stranger in a new country? why did you emigrate? how did you adapt to t

Question

have you had the experience of being a stranger in a new country? why did you emigrate? how did you adapt to the changes, customs and how did it affect your lifestyle?

Answer 1

I lived in Japan for two years. The Japanese are known for being a homogenous culture with a lot of racial pride. I was turned away from a few Japanese restaurants while I was there "Sorry, Japanese only", and THIS was from one of the most polite cultures on Earth.

I eventually learned a great deal from the experience, and it opened my eyes to how people in other cultures live. It only affected my lifestyle in terms of finding new sources of fun.

Advice for an extended stay:
1. Be polite. Learn the words for "please" and "thank you" right away.
2. Show respect for their culture, no matter how different they seem.
3. Respect their cultural boundaries. Some people are not ready to throw open their communities, their meetings, their institutions, etc. to you. This means if they don't want their daughter dating you, then respect that.
4. Learn their customs and follow them.
5. People will always "test" the new person before they're allowed into a group. It's human nature. Don't get offended and take your test (which may be a practical joke, or a humiliating rite of passage) in the spirit it was offered. They'll respect you for it.
6. DO NOT DISCUSS POLITICS, yours OR theirs. It is too sensitive a topic for polite conversation.

Answer 2

I am a stranger in a new country.I am an American living in Hungary.
My husband is Hungarian so I have been visiting here since 1978 when it was still communist.
Things are better here for some and worst now for others.
There really isn't a large middle-class here.
I have emigrated here somewhat by chance and somewhat by need.
We used to come since the 1980's to spend time with my husbands widowed mother. To help her around her little farm and to keep her company.When she died last year we decided to buy a place here for our retirement since we will never be able to retire in the USA.We messed up with some bad business deals years ago and as we are aging we don't have the time or will to try hard any longer.
People here are very friendly and highly educated. The wages are very low so the US dollar so far will get us by.
The average person here makes a little over $500. a month.two incomes$1,000.Most people do own their own homes out right since their families have been living in the same place for generations.
Most of the wealthier people own a small business.
I am adapting but I still miss some of the little things you can only get in the US.
The language is very hard to learn.Hungarian is not like any other language,it is not Slavic or Russian.If anything it is sort of like Finnish but they wouldn't be able to understand each other since both languages have changed over the centuries.
i am coping on a daily basics.People may be nicer to me since my husband is "One of them." I don't really know about that.
I go out on my own to do little things so that I may learn to do things on my own.It can be hard at times. you need a sense of humor and patiance.
We have cable TV with the BBC and CNN World news.TCM at night and VH-1 from England.

Answer 3

I was an exchange student in Mexico while I was in high school. I threw myself into it. I began speaking the language (I'd had lessons previously), attending events, and just talking to as many people as I could. Of course, this is probably easier for a female (not seen as a threat) than it may be for a male. I grew to LOVE the local customs, and, have gone back several times for as long as I could. Being in a country of intense poverty strengthened my convictions, and not only taught me to appreciate every single day, but, also made me realize the great wealth that our country has been blessed with. I helped me grow closer to God, and, strengthened my beliefs in humanity. I think it has made me into the person I am. It is the single-most defining time in my life thus far.

Answer 4

Yes, in the military I lived in Japan for 2 years, the Philippines for almost 7 years, Italy for 3 years and Spain for 2 years.

We learned the local customs and followed them when off base. We tried to pickup as much of the local language as possible too. As long as people see you're trying to fit in they will always be friendly.

Roberticvs is right about Japan, there are many clubs and restaurants that will not allow a foreigner to enter.

Answer 5

yes...the military...tried to go native as much as possible...and American dollars are great for breaking down a language barrier

Answer 6

Sorry I haven't had that luxury.
I guess because I am an poor American and can't afford it.