Living Abroad: If the British Can…Why Not the Americans?

A recent report says more and more British citizens are opting to live abroad. Among the causes for this are said to be good pay, warmer climate and better quality of life. Australia, Spain, France, US, etc, are popular destinations. But even if one opts for an Asian country, say India, the British pound or the US dollar goes far. For just as little as $ 500 a month one can live rather comfortably in an Asian country!!!

“For decades it has been the dream of millions, but for an increasing number of Britons it is becoming a reality. New figures show the number of people leaving the country to start a new life abroad has reached record levels, with almost 600 emigrating every day, reports The Independent.

“…207,000 UK nationals left the country for good last year in search of a better quality of life. The figures were hailed as proof that Britain in the 21st century has become a global hub for the mass movement of people, with record numbers moving in and out of the country.”

It would be interesting to know how many Americans would like to live abroad…even for a few months. It always helps to travel, if one can, in an alien place/climate, and the world then does not look so threatening. A first hand experience of the world makes one more confident and less susceptible to the propaganda machines that work overtime even in one’s own country.

The first time I left India was in 1975 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared a state of internal emrgency imposing press censorship. I was then working as a journalist for The Statesman, a fearless and indepedent newspaper which until 1964 had editors fom England, in New Delhi and felt quite claustrophobic.

With just eight US dollars in my pocket I left for London one day after taking leave without pay from my newspaper. Luckily for me, the head of the eastern services of the BBC at the Bush House was Alfred Evan Charlton, former editor of The Statesman in Calcutta/New Delhi. He was of great help and I started freelancing for the BBC, and earned enough to travel to Canada and France and stay for a longish period there. Later, I took up an year-long assignment with a Saudi newspaper in Jeddah and Riyadh.

What I am trying to say is that when one’s own country starts becoming somewhat claustrophobic, it is always better to start exploring the possibility of moving out, even for a few months if not for a year or more. And then return when the situation improves…totally refreshed and having a better worldview…and also with higher toleration level. Good for everyone’s health and happiness!!!