[twqqis]

For as long as I can remember I've had an interest in going to live in another country. But the older I get and the more I get to understand people and the more I travel, the more I start to hold myself back from actually moving to another country. Even if just for a year or two. I think I realise more and more that cultures really are different, vastly more than I once thought. It has me wonder what I would actually end up gaining from such a move, countries with language barriers even more so. Yet, I cannot stop thinking that by NOT doing it, I'm missing out greatly...

[goodcanadian]

We're on our fourth country, and we've traveled to many more. I think what you learn is that there are many ways to do different things. Other cultures get some things very right that your home culture gets wrong. Your home culture gets some things right that other cultures get wrong. But overall, the main takeaway is that it broadens your view of the world and it opens your eyes to possibilities that you would not otherwise see. You get some of this from travelling, but not nearly as much as what you get when you go and live in another place with a different culture.

[dman]

Could you elaborate on some positive differences where witnessing a different culture improved your outlook towards life in a meaningful way?

[SimpleMinds]

I would like to add here a bit if I can.

I'm from Western country and I was/am living in Eastern culture (China)

I'm still learning about Chinese concepts of family and "filial piety". Thanks to long (and sometimes hot) discussions with gf, I feel now that my behaviour towards family and close friends have changed in better way - I understand/feel without thinking that there are situations where my concept of being adult and self sustainable person with own opinions should give way to another person even if I'm right (and they are wrong) because they are elders in the conversation. I understand in better way that there are social constructs that even if not best, they keep people close to you (that's important part) in greater mood than if you constantly try to set your opinions on them.

Sometimes you don't want to tell people close to you that your tooth hurst so they are not worried.

Even though there's a lot of wrong with social behaviours in China on a greater scale (look up problems with "good Samaritans" for simplest examples), the family scale I feel is much better and greater than what I learned/grow up with in West. I feel that if we could learn from Chinese concepts of family, we would be much better in West.

While saying above, I have to think that it still can be coming from my raising and history and I'm still learning about historical/philosophical entires in our social life, so I hope I didn't offend anyone with above.

[dman]

Thanks for sharing your personal experiences.

[idlewords]

You are missing out. It's a stressful experience but it will change your life.

[ews]

I am in my fourth country, and I can't recommend traveling and especially living in a different country with a very different culture enough.

[da02]

Which countries have you visited? Any favorite cities/towns?

[pixelcort]

It's hard to explain, but it helps get perspective of your own country more.

It's been two years now and I'm still learning new things about my own country as well as the rest of the world. (American in Japan)

[rokhayakebe]

Please, do it. Even if it is for just one year. Costa Rica, I hear, is a great place and you can live very comfortably for a modest cost, and it is close to the States (if you are in America).

I moved from my country to the states a few 15 years ago; I cannot imagine my life otherwise. I would move again to another country if the conditions are right (and the conditions are not even much).