Being an Expatriate

Someone once said, "An expat is someone who leaves their country and lives in another for their own reasons". This explanation may be right, but there are expats who still love their home country and dream of going back home some day. Does this mean then, that a person who lives in another country, and yearns to go back home is NOT an expat? Or is an expat someone who lives in a country that is not of his origin, but loves it like he would his own?

Must we use strictly technical terms to describe an expat? In some countries like Switzerland, for instance, the tem expat is used not for all foreigners who live and work there, but only for those who are living thee on expat contract terms, with the employer providing housing and other such facilities for the family. In Indonesia, foreigners are subjected to the term 'bule', meaning 'albino'. In some countries, expats are known as immigrants, regardless of whether they wish to return to their home country or not. In several instance, the term expatriate is commonly misheard as ex-patriot, which can seem derogatory.

In essence, an expatriate can live in a country other than that of his birth, love that country, and also love his home country. He would still be a good patriot and an expatriate.

Now, how about the joys of being an expat? You can probably enjoy better weather than that of your home in the city of your adoption. Even better, you will have to learn everything new in the country you have emigrated to! This includes language, culture, rules and regulations, laws and traditions. You will have to learn how to bargain in the marketplace, make new friends and contacts, and even change your belief system a little bit to adapt to the brand new one!

Being an expat holds both woes and joys, and it all boils down to how you as an a unique individual are able to handle it. It can be both fun and irritating at times, but it is your choice, after all, and it is up to you to make the best of it.