What country would you choose? Why?
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
August 4, 2010 10:20am CST
If you had to spend one year in another country than your own, what country would you choose? And what things would you take into consideration when you make your choice (safety, language, culture, jobs, weather etc) Would you choose a country that was similar to your own for instanse an another English speaking country if English is your first language or one of your neighbouring countries? Or would you choose a country that was completely different from your own and see it as a chance to experience something completely different?
I have lived and worked in other countries than my own in the past. In Scotland I didn't have any language problems, and in that way it was easier than living a country where I didn't speak the language when I arrived. On the other hand I love to challenge myself, and I found it interesting to live in a countries in Eastern Europe where everything was new and challenging.
If I had the chance to live somewhere else for one year, I would probably choose a country in a different part of the would for instanse a country in Asia, but it would be very, very hard for me to choose one country, because there are so many countries that I am interested in learning more about. I would have to think about the practical things as well - the chance of finding a job and a place to live etc.
10 people like this
42 responses
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
5 Aug 10
Hi,
I was living in abroad for more than 15 years,it means
I have left my hometown for more than 15 years and
I have get used to my own life here.
SInce I graduated from my high school,I was in Singapore
for my further study,After graduating, I worked there
for couple of years,before get married and settled
down in Malaysia now.
Both Singapore and Malaysia is having the similar weather
with my home country(indonesia),except the language is
different.
However, now I am quite fluent in speaking Mandarin and English.
Not a problem for me anymore.
If giving a chance for me to explore more countries for long term,
I guess I might choose Australia..I love this country.
Have different weather(spring,autumn,winter,summer) for whole year
and the life there is so wonderful.
I been there for holiday and I just fall in love with this country.
It will be great for retirement too.
Of course, this country may have different culture,but I am willing
to learn and get to know more about this country.
2 people like this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
5 Aug 10
I have so many countries in my mind. Mainly Europe,Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand and Russia. Except for europe and new zealand, the other two doesn't speal English as their first language but I know language barrier is hardly a problem. It's how you live and interact with the people.
And yes you're right, basically. It's the challenge. The challenge of how you are going to survive on your own. The real fulfillment amongst all.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93882)
• United States
5 Aug 10
I am American, and if I were to live in a different country for a year, I would choose Australia. Back in 2000, I was blessed to be able to go to Australia for about four days. I loved it there. The people were friendly, and although it gets pretty hot there, I'm used to heat. It would be difficult to get used to driving on the other side of the road, but living in an English speaking country would be one of the biggest priorities for me. As well as choosing a country that doesn't hate Americans. I have no interest in living in a country for a year where the anti-American sentiment is very strong.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
Many people mention Australia and it seems to be a very popular country. I have never been there, and it is very far away from my home, but it could be very interesting to visit Australia one day. Which places did you visit when you were there? I am used to a very cold climate and I think that I would enjoy spending some time in a country with a different climate.
1 person likes this
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
5 Aug 10
I would probably choose Africa because it'll be the most challenging. I'm filipino, partly grew up in the Philippines then migrated to the United States during my pre-teens. So Asia and the Americas wouldn't be as challenging as Africa. Not only will there be a language barrier but the culture would be different. But I think it would be cool to learn to speak the African language.
2 people like this
@JamesKYTan (1605)
• Malaysia
7 Aug 10
I live in Malaysia. I speak English, Mandarin, Malay and Hockien. So naturally I would choose a country which I can understand their language and at the same time learn their
culture. A country out of the tropics. New Zealand is my first choice. Why I choose NZ?
It is a very beautiful agricultural country. I like the scenery and peaceful countryside. It is wonderful. Also I haven't been to NZ. I have been to Australia, USA, most of Europe, China, India, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan. To live there
for a whole year means you got to understand their language then it will be easier.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
8 Aug 10
You have been to a lot of countries, I think that you are very lucky. I have enjoyed my trips in Europe and I hope that I will also get the chance to go to Asia one day 
I have never been to New Zealand, but I have seen some very beautiful pictures. 12 years ago my family had an exchange student from New Zealand, she lived with our family for several months and I learned a lot about New Zealand that way.
I have never been to New Zealand, but I have seen some very beautiful pictures. 12 years ago my family had an exchange student from New Zealand, she lived with our family for several months and I learned a lot about New Zealand that way.@JamesKYTan (1605)
• Malaysia
8 Aug 10
I adore New Zealand. I hope that I'll have the opportunity to visit New Zealand one day.
You had an exchange student from New Zealand 12 years ago. So generous of your parents, eh? Now is the time to pay your exchange student a visit. Make it a 2-week visit.
1 person likes this
@doggydimon (1369)
• Philippines
27 Dec 10
I remember a year ago at our office, they are planning to have an exchange program with our partners abroad. We have partners in Singapore, China, Dubai, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Norway, South Africa, Latvia, Russia, Australia, India, Cyprus, Greece and Ukraine. My manager asked me, given the chance where do you wanna work for one year? Here are my top 3 choices, Greece, Latvia and South Africa. I really really love to go to Greece. Besides the fact that I know my colleagues there are good people, I am pretty much amazed by their language. I like listening to them talk with their native language. Of course if I had the chance to work there, I will visit all the ancient structures that must be seen and study their history and culture. And during summer, I will go island hopping. Also, I feel that I will be ok because I love Greek food. So no worries of me starving there. hehehe...
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
27 Dec 10
If I got the same question as you I would find it really hard to pick a country, because there are a lot of places around the world where I would love to spend some time Different countries have different things to offer, but I think that every country could be interesting in one way or another.
I think that Greece would be an interesting choice. I have been there once, but there are lots of other things that I would like to see in Greece like the things related to history. I would also love to visit some of islands. Latvia is a beautiful country as well. I really enjoyed the time that I spent there and I would like to go back one day.
Different countries have different things to offer, but I think that every country could be interesting in one way or another.
I think that Greece would be an interesting choice. I have been there once, but there are lots of other things that I would like to see in Greece like the things related to history. I would also love to visit some of islands. Latvia is a beautiful country as well. I really enjoyed the time that I spent there and I would like to go back one day.@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
27 Dec 10
I went to Latvia in 2009. I stayed at a hotel in Riga, but I also visited a small town called Sigulda. I liked Riga a lot. There are many beautiful buildings and some nice parks where you can relax or go for a walk. I also visited a big marked in Riga, there were lots of different kinds of things and there were many things that you can't find in my own country. While I was there I sailed on the river, and it was a very nice experience. In Sigulda I got lost, because I didn't have a map, but the staff at tourist information centre were very helpful and friendly.
@doggydimon (1369)
• Philippines
27 Dec 10
Can you tell me more about Latvia? I am very interested with that country. I only new its existence when they joined our group. hehehe...
1 person likes this
@rockydam83 (846)
• Italy
5 Aug 10
I want to settle in Denmark and i am trying for it very seriously. I like Denmark because they are one of the most liberal society in world and every one can live his life as he wants. Maybe this sound you something annoying coz you are living in Denmark and you are availing this social practice by born. You cant value such choice coz you have it by born.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
I am happy to hear that you like my country, and I hope that you will get the chance to come here. Unfortuneately it has become harder for foreigners to move here, because the government that we have at the moment are trying to restrict the number of foreigners. I don't support their ideas. I don't think that it is impossible for foreigners to move here, but it has become harder compared to the past. I don't take the Danish society for granted, because I have lived in other countries than my own, and I have experienced countries that are different from Denmark.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
9 Aug 10
wow that's a tough choice, real tough one. i'd love to be able to spend a year in a lot of countries. in fact, i can't think of a country that i wouldn't want to spend a year in.
if i really have to choose, it'd be either thailand or china. i've not visited many countries but i've visited these two countries many times. i just love the people, the food and everything else about these countries. i would love to live there for a year or more to learn everything i can about their culture.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
9 Aug 10
I have same kinds of thoughts. It is so hard to choose one country when there are so many interesting countries around the world. I think that every country has something to offer and that every country can ibe interesting in one way or another. I have never been to China or Thailand, but I hope that I will get the chance to visit those countries and many other countries in Asia one day.
@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
5 Aug 10
I would like to live in Japan. I really really want to experience living there even if it's only for a year or so just for learning more the culture and people there. I have already studied a little Japanese, but I want to learn more by interacting and talking directly with Japanese people. I also know their ways of living and quite of the country's geography, so now I want to know if I can adapt easily to the environment there. After Japan, I would also want to go to other Asian countries like Korea and China. Then after exploring Asia, Europe and America would be next. So much for dreaming, eh. Haha. Good day :)
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Aug 10
I also think that it could be interesting to live in Japan. I have studied Japanese, but I am still a beginnner. I understand some Japanese, but I am not good at reading or writing, and that would definately be a challenge. I think that it could be interesting to live there and learn more about the culture. I would also love to visit other countries in Asia, there are so many places that I would like to explore
@jupitercrashing (635)
• Canada
4 Aug 10
It would depend on certain factors, but the two main options would be Germany and Ghana. I have been to Germany before, studied the language for 3 years, and have family there. I'm in love with the country and hope that I'll be able to live there at some point in my life.
However, I've also been wanting to volunteer in Africa for a few years, and have a friend who did so in Ghana and her experiences made me want to go there also. So if I had the money saved up and school finished (the two things holding me back so far) then I would definitely consider spending a year in Ghana doing volunteer work.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Aug 10
Germany is a nice country, I lived in the north of Germany for a while when I went to school in the south of Denmark. In about two months I am going to visit Berlin for the first time, and I look forward to that. Volunteering in Ghana also sound interesting. I have never done any volunteer work in Ghana or other Afrcan countries, but the idea appeals to me. When I was younger I had a penpal from Ghana, and it was an interesting way to learn more about the country, but it would be even more interesting to visit the country
@jupitercrashing (635)
• Canada
4 Aug 10
Ohhh Berlin is my favorite city ever! There's so much history and there's always some great event going on, plus public transportation is great and renting an apartment/house there is wickedly cheap. There's so much to see in Berlin, I'm sure you'll have a great time.
@Neo333X (171)
• Romania
8 Aug 10
If I would chose a country to spend a year there.It would be either one in U.S.A. because I know english and I like it and it easier to live there than in other countries, Japan because of the culture and advanced technology, China because of the culture and martial arts.There might be others but those are the most important.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Aug 10
Yes, living in a country where you already know the language would be easier in many ways. Japan and China also sounds like interesting countries to me. I have studied Japanese in the past and I have Japanese friends, so Japan would also be a country that I would consider. I am also interested in China and it is one of the places that I hope to visit one day.
@koditza (235)
• Germany
5 Aug 10
I would settle either in a Scandinavian country, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland or Japan. There is safety, people have healthy mentalities, there are many opportunities when it comes to working and learning. As far as the language is concerned, I am willing to learn i, if that will assure me a quite stable future in that country. tWhy do you find it interesting to live in Eastern Europe? I lived there all my life and now I'm in college in Germany and visit my country 3 months per year. Now, with the financial crisis, it's not so bright in there, but we all hope it'll turn out fine.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
I think I found it interesting to live in Eastern Europe because it was different from Western Europe where I was born. I liked living in Scotland, and it is a very beautiful place, but it was less of a challenge because I already spoke English. In Eastern Europe I had to learn a completely new language and I found that interesting. In Poland I found the pronounciation quite difficult, but I still liked the challenge. I also think that there are many beautiful places in Eastern Europe.
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
I would want to be in Australia for work because Australians are generally nice so even if they are really pissed off they would just talk professionally to the person they are talking to. I would love to have a climate like here in my country so australia is also a warm country so i will not have a hard time dealing with the winter season. They also speak English so there would be no problem speaking to the people here. for the culture, Australians have good ways of living so I will also have no problem with that.
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
5 Aug 10
I don't know what you consider warm, but I consider 10C darn cold. It's about 10C in Australia right now.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Aug 10
I live in a country with cold winters, I think that it could be nice to live at a place where it didn't get so cold, and I can understand your thoughts about the climate. I have never been to Australia, but I have some friends from Australia who have invited me. It is very far from my home, but maybe I will still get the chance to go there one day.
@JayJay45 (157)
• United States
5 Aug 10
Since there are so many countries I'd like to live in this is a hard question for me, but I think on the top of my list would be Kenya. They do speak English there, so that would make the adjustment somewhat easier, however there is also a lot of Kiswahili spoken there as well. But one of my hobies is learning new languages so I'd probably take a stab at learning some basic Kiswahili. I think learning a new language is part of the adventure, but it is nice to be able to have your own to fall back on when needed. The culture of Kenya, however is completely different from my own, which is exactly why I would want to experience it.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Aug 10
I think that it would be an interesting experience to spend some time in Kenya. I don't know that much about Kenya, but my ex-boyfriend had a friend from Kenya and he sometimes told us about his country. I think that my first choice would one of countries in Asia and my second choice would be an African country. I also find it very interesting to get to know a different culture and a different language. That is one of the things that I really like about travelling and living abroad.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
4 Aug 10
English is my native tongue language. I have visited English speaking countries like USA, Australia, New Zealand, Belize, South Africa and Canada. I know I would feel very at home living in Australia for one year but after it ended I would probably want to stay there permanently. There I would have safety, the lingo, a good job with a descent salary and fine weather. I would be able to get all the food suitable for my vegan diet. When I was a student I spent four months studying in the Netherlands. It was from September to December so it was quite cold. I enjoyed cycling there and managed to do quite a bit of exploring. Although visit places like Indonesia and Guatemala I wouldn't want to live in one of them for a whole year. I know I would run out of vegan food to eat. One of my friends worked as English as a foreign language teacher. She got to live in Spain, Poland and Russia.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
It must be interesting to work as your friend did and to get the chance to live in different countries. I once applied for a job in Russia, but I didn't get it. It must also have been interesting to study in the Netherlands for some months. I have been there, but I was a child a at time and I don't really remember the places that we visited. I would like to visit the Netherlands again one day.
@derek_a (10873)
•
5 Aug 10
I have also felt attracted to Australia as a country to live in apart from my own, or perhaps New Zealand. These countries seem warm most of the year around with plenty of sunshine that would encourage people to spend more time outdoors in the fresh air, which is something I could to with in my life to enhance good health and fitness. 
_Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Aug 10
I am from a country with a cold climate, and many people from my country dream about a place like Australia. I also think that it would be nice to live at a place like that and I like the idea of spending more time outside. Here in Denmark we can spend time outside during the summer months, but the rest of the year it is often too cold...
@Jennlk84 (4205)
• United States
5 Aug 10
I would spend a year in Europe. Ever since I took French classes in high school I've been fascinated with Europe. I would also love to visit Switzerland. My great grandparents came to America from Switzerland and I know it's beautiful there. France would be fun to visit because I can speak some French and I've always wondered what life is truly like there. I would also love to visit Germany. There are just a lot of great places in Europe that really strike me as interesting.
I just realized that you said COUNTRY, not CONTINENT. I'm not going to change my answer but I will just add to it :-)
If I could only choose one country and not one continent, I would choose Switzerland since I've had family come from there. Plus my grandma has visited there and her pictures showed just how gorgeous it is there :-)
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
I have only seen a small part of Switzerland, but I also think that it is a really beautiful country. When I went to language school in Italy many of the other students were from Switzerland and they told me about their country and showed me many beautiful pictures. My husband I have talked about visiting Switzerland one day. I like both France and Germany, and I think that there are many interesting places to visit. I hope that you will get the chance to go to Europe
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
4 Aug 10
If i could choose to live in another country other than my own i would choose England! First of all there would be no loanguage barrier for me. England is filled with wonderful history and exciting landmarks and places to see. London has so much to offer and i would be willing to take it all in!@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
You are right about London, that city has a lot to offer. I have been there a couple of times, but I have only seen a small part of the city. There are still plenty of places to explore. I would also love to visit some of the other part of England. When I have been there I have spent most of my time in London, and I think that it could be interesting to explore other parts of the country as well.
@hiuk100 (6)
• China
4 Aug 10
I will choose Vietnam
there are many beautiful landscapes,gentle people of Vietnam has substance.Vietnam is a developing country needs foreign investment
if you think you can choose to Vietnam, where it is safe, no racism, everyone equal,you'll be free
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Aug 10
I can see that this is your first post, thanks for responding and welcome to MyLot
I would like to visit Vietnam. I have never been there, but in my country (Denmark) there are quite a lot of people from Vietnam and I have met some of them. I enjoyed hearing about their country and learning more about their culture. In the city where I grew up there are a couple of Asian stores where you can buy things from different countries, I have sometimes bought food from Vietnam there.
I would like to visit Vietnam. I have never been there, but in my country (Denmark) there are quite a lot of people from Vietnam and I have met some of them. I enjoyed hearing about their country and learning more about their culture. In the city where I grew up there are a couple of Asian stores where you can buy things from different countries, I have sometimes bought food from Vietnam there.
@triselle (55)
• Canada
4 Aug 10
Asia would be your great next stop. I'm an Asian-Canadian and you have to learn french here in Canada, as your second language. I've learned french my whole life and I'm going to be taking it the next 3 years of my high school life. Learning new languages and challenging myself interests me a lot. After studying french here in Canada, I would love to live to Paris one day, that is my goal in life. As for you, you will be surprised when visiting Asia because of all the things you aren't used. The point is to channel yourself into the people, culture and lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Aug 10
Yes, I think that it would be very interesting to spend some time in Asia. There are a lot of different countries that I am interested in, so it would be hard to choose only one place. I like Paris a lot. I once thought about living there for a while, but I ended up in Italy instead. I have visited Paris as a tourist a couple of times, and I have seen the famous places, but there are still lots of other things to explore, and I plan on going back one day. I hope that you will also get the chance to go to Paris
