Is it difficult to make the decision to migrate to a better life?
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
April 11, 2010 10:45pm CST
Of late, there has been a lot of talk in the local papers about locals migrating out and foreigners sinking their roots in my country.
The debate, some constructive, some argumentative and some, well, downright condemning anyone and everyone who migrates, regardless of whether it is leaving or staying in the country.
So it got me thinking... some of the locals are finding the country's policies are making life difficult for them. And the lure of greener pastures are making them look outside of the country to settle down.
But migration, is it so easy to just make that decision to uproot oneself and go to a country that is totally foreign to you and set roots there?
Think of the scenario where you have never been to say Country A before. And you are from Country S. Will you just go to Country A, look for a job, find a home and then just settle down?
What are the considerations you will have to make?
What are the things you would have to give up?
What are the sacrifices you will have to make?
What are the gain you will potentially get from making the decision to move?
How about your friends here?
How about your family or relative here?
...
...
I wonder, how much thought people put into making the decision to migrate.
Do share your views.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@hcvvmk (175)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
in my opinion, you need huge courage and initiative to migrate for a better life..and I'e prepared for that..for that, you must not have any commitment or responsible in your home country..it's all about taking an initiative..whenever there's a will, there's a way :D
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@jasmeena (846)
• Indonesia
12 Apr 10
I think If one day I decided to move to another country, I would choose Australia. My cousin keeps trying to make me move from Jakarta to Sydney LOL. We started to keep in touch again last year after he found me on Facebook. his parents are Indonesians, his dad is my uncle, the family has been living in Sydney for almost 30 years.His brothers and mom came to our house a few days after New Year. Yeah, wish I could move and bring my family. And actually I have some friends too in other countries. I have friend who has been working at cruise line and living in San Diego and my best friend during teacher training now lives with her hubby and baby son in Holland.I now am joining migrationexpert.com, and maybe you can give me some information about how to migrate, what to prepare etc?I am thinking about moving, but still find difficulty about the cost as here I only work as freelance English teacher.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
12 Apr 10
Moving towards a better life is not as simple as one might make it out. Whether it would be moving to a different country or simply to a new city, there are many things to consider. For instance, most of your friends and family might be in the place you are living in. To move, might not mean that you will see them as much as you would like to. While it would improve your situation, you just wonder how truly happy would be.
Plus, there is the thing about familiarity. There could be the chance that you could be setting yourself up for a worse situation in the long term. The fact is that the grass always looks greener on the other side. There might be an entirely new grouping of problems that will cause trouble and thus will lead to something new. Just something very interesting to consider when migrating to a new area, whether it is a small move or a much bigger move.
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@tayd88 (205)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
hi,
this question of migrating do pops up once in a while in my head.Of course each time i think of it,many things do cross my mind such as ability to adapt to new environment,earning a living(better or worse),learning about other people's life and culture,etc...
Then gotta think about leaving everything here behind each and every little things that i'd known for life.Its a tough decision because i think about the sacrifices but on the other hand , it may be fruitful if given a new life in a foreign country where one can earn a better living,if only.Perhaps i'd been watching too much of t.v. about better life in other country.
If only there's a migration program where one can try living in a foreign country for a couple of months to experience it.Then its more easy to make up my mind.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
I wish I can but my roots are strongly planted here, in my birth country. I can't just relocate myself and let all the years of sweat that went to fortune building rot while I live in another untested new country. But I am going down under in a couple of weeks and see what good opportunities are available there. May not put up permanently in a foreign soil but only to fulfill the urge to have a change of scenario.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
14 Apr 10
Migration is never an easy thing to do.. And for ple who opt to migrate, are mostly retirees, or being posted overseas to work for long period of time..
While for some, they just wanna prove that they are too rich and arrogant to be staying in their own country, and so they migrate.. haha =D
If ever i wanna migrate, the only reason i have is, wanting a peaceful life, and be close to nature.. Sacrifices i have to make, will be leaving my family and friends here, but it's not something i can help it though.. hehe ^_^
For jobs etc over at the new country, it's gonna be like a fresh start to me, and a fresh life all over for me too ^_^
@maxilimian (3099)
• Indonesia
14 Apr 10
Hi ahgong!
Well it's hard to forbid people not to go and settle down in other countries, it's happen everywhere, there are lot of considerations and reason why people doing it, one of it is to look for a better place to live, and the risk of not getting better live is the sacrifices, friends can be found everywhere, and family and relatives who lives in another country can be solved by technologies ... yaa basically people migrate is because looking for another chances to live better
I guess there is no rules that forbid people to have that chances, but the government can make limitation due to migrate law
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
12 Apr 10
This is a very thought evoking question, I may have trouble sleeping because of it.
I am okay with migration, whether you want to come here, or I go there. I am not okay with people thinking they get special benefits for being an immigrant. If you choose to live in any country, I believe you should be treated as a citizen that is native to that country.
What considerations, Well Weather for one, if I am leaving, It had better not snow where I am going. The job market, whether or not my Network Marketing company is active in that country, mostly so I could get my product. And what my family, both immediate and extended thought of the decision.
The things I would have to give up, would depend on the country, but chances are quite a lot. I live in a "free" country, and we have a lot of liberties, that as I understand it do not exist in many other countries.
Sacrifices, that is hard to say, again, it would depend on the country. The gain,would basically only be no snow, but that is enough of a motivator for me.
I have friends all over, they would get by with out me, besides they could come visit, and same with my family.
I would have to put a lot of thought and consideration into the decision, if you know of a country near the equator, that enjoys almost all of the freedoms of Canada, do let me know.
With appreciation.
1 person likes this