randomGuy Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 Why is an American living outside US is likely to call himself/herself an expat while an Indian/Chinese living outside his/her country referred to as an immigrant?
Prakat Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 If you've moved purely for work you call yourself an expat. If you've moved for a "better life" you're an immigrant. No wonder the first case always tends to be first world to anywhere else and the latter case is always anywhere to first world. NRIs can call themselves expats but nobody is going to believe that they think going back to India won't make a difference to them.
hhunaeh Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 Both these words are a little demeaning, if you ask me, to both indians who move out and others who move in into india.
randomGuy Posted October 7, 2013 Author Posted October 7, 2013 If you've moved purely for work you call yourself an expat. If you've moved for a "better life" you're an immigrant. No wonder the first case always tends to be first world to anywhere else and the latter case is always anywhere to first world. NRIs can call themselves expats but nobody is going to believe that they think going back to India won't make a difference to them. Many expats also don't like specific things about America, and so, moved to some other place. But I agree with you broadly. There is also the issue of language and culture, English language being spoken universally and American(and other 1st world) culture being better than other cultures in different aspects. so them not wanting to be assimilated by other cultures and calling themselves expat rather than immigrant. Then there is the issue of other countries themselves not taking in first world-ers as they'd like to. While its easier for an India/chinese to integrate into US and Europe.
Prakat Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Thanks for adding that nuance. There are expats, like Arthur C Clarke, who lived in Sri Lanka for the weather and beaches. And countless beach bums in Goa and Phuket for instance who probably would never go back to their homelands. Not to mention, those in Auroville, Osho ashram and Shantiniketan. And then there are professionals (techies, management etc.) who have made places like Singapore, Japan, Brazil, India, Dubai etc. their homes.
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