Expatriation and What It's All About

Expatriates are people who work and live overseas. They are "Americans fleeing America", or really, any citizen leaving their home country to create a new life. It is different from refugees and immigrants, because expatriates do not assimilate into the mainstream culture although some may. They live in expatriate communities in their host city, watch American television, buy American products, and their children go to American schools. It is home, but with different longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates.

Many expatriates consider themselves to be running from their home countries which are being run by inept leaders. They still hold on to their roots and customs, just overseas. International jobs are widespread and in demand for English-speaking workers, making it easy to acquire a career outside of the US. Becoming an expatriate gives the person the freedom (most of the time) to choose their new home country.

Expatriation is a lifestyle, not a holiday escapade. People most of the time have to learn the basics of the local language. Their children go to bilingual schools and mingle with the local students, absorbing the culture more than their actual parents. When their worker's Visas expire, they usually return home to the US and apply for another one, or do so before their Visa expires. Expatriates never really can call any place "home" due to their global nomad status. Expatriates spend their whole lives "learning" as opposed to Americans living in the US who are confined into the "American bubble".

People expatriate when they receive international relocations from their companies or receive high-paying offers overseas. Expatriate's salaries are 250% higher than a local national worker's salary. Almost always, an allowance is given to them to cover the difference in the cost of goods and services compared to what they would pay in America. They are protected from the host country's taxes and can vote overseas in American elections.

Why be an expat? Because it broadens your horizons, exposes you to new experiences, and gives your life a whole different dimension. Many expats are ex-soldiers and military personnel who decide that America just isn't for them after seeing other countries out there that they have fought in. Many veterans cannot go back to America due to psychological problems and other feelings which submerge during their service; so returning to live there as an expat gives them hope.

Many humanitarians, influential politicians and writers are expatriates. Four million expatriates (the current number of Americans living abroad) cannot be wrong. Some years of expatriation for all of us will only do us good, not harm.