have you ever moved to a foreign country...

**annie24** · 01-19-2008, 06:09 PM

....where you were not so good with the language? how did it go for you? did you enjoy the experience? did you seek out people from your native country?

just looking for experiences from people.

Crazyaboutdogs · 01-19-2008, 08:19 PM

Well, the "foreign" country I had moved to was the US...while Canadians and Americans speak English, they don't always speak the same language....there are some differences in expressions, terms used and spelling. There is also a bit of a culture shock...not huge, but subtle differences. When I was living there I was with Americans...I didn't actively go out and look for fellow Canadians to hang out with. I enjoyed my time in the US.

Stinkweed · 01-19-2008, 09:35 PM

I'm originally from a spanish-speaking country. I moved to the US at the age of 13 but I kinda already knew the english language well enough. I didn't seek out my people per se... I mean, sure at times I hoped I'd see someone from the old country, but that didn't happen. It was enjoyable, I guess. I wouldn't be here today, I wouldn't be who I am either... I mean, during those early teen years I was extremely lonely mostly because I wasn't very sociable. Then late teen years like 17-18 I was very happy after moving to another state and making lots of friends. In that new area there were lots of people from the old country, but I didn't really make any friends with them until like my senior year in HS when I was pretty much friends with everyone in all of my classes.

Started college and had no friends once again. Still have none... There's a couple of people I talk to on a regular basis, but they're just colleagues to me. I don't feel as lonely as I did back when I was 14-15, but I guess I've also got more going on in my life and that helps. I have never tried to picture how life would be if I hadn't moved to the US... Socially, I don't think it'd be much better since I was already having a bit of trouble getting along with childhood friends as I was becoming a teen. Economically it is way better, because there are many more career opportunities here than pretty much anywhere else. I don't know what else to tell you. Hope I didn't bore anyone to tears.

tylercdurden2004 · 01-19-2008, 10:37 PM

Yes Australia! Jeez talk about language difficulties!

But seriously I have not found differences in language to be a problem for me. In fact my best experiences have always been with those who dont speak english and I dont speak their language.

Where theres a will there a way.

under_my_amberella · 01-19-2008, 10:44 PM

are you thinking of moving somewhere, annie?

I moved from English canada to French-speaking Montreal when I was 17. It wasn't easy to find a job, since the economy is not good in Montreal to begin with. That was my main challenge. But I managed to survive and even put myself through school.

At first, I immersed myself in the french-speaking culture. I lived in the french part of town, made friends with people who always spoke french, went to the french-speaking parties and bars... But after a few years, I got a bit tired of being different and started to immerse myself into the english-speaking culture.

spinstermanquee · 01-20-2008, 07:59 AM

Yes, twice. Once to South America and once to Europe. It was tiring (and still is the first few days of every visit) to learn/switch over to another language. I did have US, Canadian, and English friends but mostly tried to keep to the culture I was in, so as to completely immerse myself in the language. It helps to befriend an elderly/retiree neighbor, they appreciate the company, have time and patience, and are a great resource for information on the history and culture of the country. Hope that helps... -w

**annie24** · 01-20-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by under_my_amberella

are you thinking of moving somewhere, annie?

yes, i am. i just got back from spain last week, had such an amazing experience there, would love to move there for a few years. my current employment will be coming to an end in approximately 12-18 months, and i'm just thinking of the next step. would love to move out of the us for a few years and get a totally new experience.

i would not move just yet, i was thinking more in about 18 months time. either there, or somewhere else. i also loved new zealand when i went there, language clearly wouldn't be a problem. for spain, yes. my spanish is pretty pathetic. i can more or less understand it, if people speak slowly. i can get around, order food, ask for directions, and tell a guy he is hot and ask him to kiss me, but that's about it.

maybe that's all i need, lol? but if i want to move there, i need to start really learning spanish well (i've never taken a spanish class, mostly just absorbed it here and there.) i imagine if i moved there, within 2 years, i would be extremely proficient, and that would be a good life skill to have, and something good to have on my resume.

to answer questions - no, i don't really know any people there. i did meet some acquaintences there, who are now my facebook friends, but i don't have any real close friendships or family there. but, the spaniards are very social, so i don't think i would have a hard time finding friends there? if i move to new zealand, i have family there, so i would have people to lean upon. i have family elsewhere in europe, so i could always see them from time to time.

i'm kind of dabbling, looking into things, i'll start seriously looking for jobs in maybe 6 months or so, right now, i'm just tinkering with the idea of moving out there. like you said, thinking of the reality of the situation, not the fantasy. i had a great time in spain and new zealand on vacation, but would i enjoy it on a day to day basis, living and working there? life is not a vacation, afterall......

**annie24** · 01-20-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylercdurden2004

Yes Australia! Jeez talk about language difficulties!

hahaha, funny, but true! i spent a lot of time "translating" the australian english for other people. because i have perfect american english, people of foreign cultures understand me better than they did the aussies i traveled with. probably because of all the american TV broadcast over the world, they are more used to american english.

under_my_amberella · 01-20-2008, 01:00 PM

you have to go! plan for it now and you'll be well prepared in 18 months.

tylercdurden2004 · 01-20-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie24

hahaha, funny, but true! i spent a lot of time "translating" the australian english for other people. because i have perfect american english, people of foreign cultures understand me better than they did the aussies i traveled with. probably because of all the american TV broadcast over the world, they are more used to american english.

Yeah I know the feeling. I think it has to do with American English being more neutral than it does exposure to it. But who knows. All I know is its almost as perfect as Canadian English. Not quite. But almost.

01-19-2008, 06:09 PM	#1
annie24 Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,814	have you ever moved to a foreign country... ....where you were not so good with the language? how did it go for you? did you enjoy the experience? did you seek out people from your native country? just looking for experiences from people.

01-19-2008, 09:35 PM	#3
Stinkweed Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Some place other than where I wish I were... Gender: None Specified Age: 21 Posts: 2,667	I'm originally from a spanish-speaking country. I moved to the US at the age of 13 but I kinda already knew the english language well enough. I didn't seek out my people per se... I mean, sure at times I hoped I'd see someone from the old country, but that didn't happen. It was enjoyable, I guess. I wouldn't be here today, I wouldn't be who I am either... I mean, during those early teen years I was extremely lonely mostly because I wasn't very sociable. Then late teen years like 17-18 I was very happy after moving to another state and making lots of friends. In that new area there were lots of people from the old country, but I didn't really make any friends with them until like my senior year in HS when I was pretty much friends with everyone in all of my classes. Started college and had no friends once again. Still have none... There's a couple of people I talk to on a regular basis, but they're just colleagues to me. I don't feel as lonely as I did back when I was 14-15, but I guess I've also got more going on in my life and that helps. I have never tried to picture how life would be if I hadn't moved to the US... Socially, I don't think it'd be much better since I was already having a bit of trouble getting along with childhood friends as I was becoming a teen. Economically it is way better, because there are many more career opportunities here than pretty much anywhere else. I don't know what else to tell you. Hope I didn't bore anyone to tears. __________________ "You just change for the same..." -Ian Mackaye "Punk rock saved my life" -Dennes Boon (R.I.P.) "Have you ever seen lips that sing on a face that screams?" -Jesse Michaels

01-19-2008, 10:37 PM	#4
tylercdurden2004 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Middle East Gender: Male Age: 33 Posts: 3,696	Yes Australia! Jeez talk about language difficulties! But seriously I have not found differences in language to be a problem for me. In fact my best experiences have always been with those who dont speak english and I dont speak their language. Where theres a will there a way. __________________ "Depend Upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully." - Samuel Johnson "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Ralph Waldo Emerson Avatar: Whale Skin Hubcaps Dealer. Nice guys: www.enotalone.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136757&highlight=horsey

01-19-2008, 08:19 PM	#2
Crazyaboutdogs Online Platinum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Gender: Female Age: 46 Posts: 15,630	Well, the "foreign" country I had moved to was the US...while Canadians and Americans speak English, they don't always speak the same language....there are some differences in expressions, terms used and spelling. There is also a bit of a culture shock...not huge, but subtle differences. When I was living there I was with Americans...I didn't actively go out and look for fellow Canadians to hang out with. I enjoyed my time in the US.

01-19-2008, 10:44 PM	#5
under_my_amberella Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 5,035	are you thinking of moving somewhere, annie? I moved from English canada to French-speaking Montreal when I was 17. It wasn't easy to find a job, since the economy is not good in Montreal to begin with. That was my main challenge. But I managed to survive and even put myself through school. At first, I immersed myself in the french-speaking culture. I lived in the french part of town, made friends with people who always spoke french, went to the french-speaking parties and bars... But after a few years, I got a bit tired of being different and started to immerse myself into the english-speaking culture.

01-20-2008, 07:59 AM	#6
spinstermanquee Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 591	Yes, twice. Once to South America and once to Europe. It was tiring (and still is the first few days of every visit) to learn/switch over to another language. I did have US, Canadian, and English friends but mostly tried to keep to the culture I was in, so as to completely immerse myself in the language. It helps to befriend an elderly/retiree neighbor, they appreciate the company, have time and patience, and are a great resource for information on the history and culture of the country. Hope that helps... -w

01-20-2008, 01:00 PM	#9
under_my_amberella Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 5,035	you have to go! plan for it now and you'll be well prepared in 18 months.