2 ms·

It is much better that the young person tries it and decides it's not for them, than for the young person to never try and to have that doubt gnawing at them fo

by yen223 2y ago

It is much better that the young person tries it and decides it's not for them, than for the young person to never try and to have that doubt gnawing at them for the rest of their life.

david-gpu 2y ago
And why would that doubt be gnawing at them for the rest of their life? Do you think it is possible that all the rah-rah "moving abroad is great" messaging could have something to do with it? Moving abroad is often a choice. Moving back can be a lot harder once you have a spouse and children.
- yen223 2y ago
  The doubt comes from not knowing. Not knowing if a different life choice 20 years ago would have made them happier now, because they never tried. If they gave it a go and it didn't work out, then they know, and they would have plenty of time to course-correct. There wouldn't be any doubt.
  - david-gpu 2y ago
    > and they would have plenty of time to course-correct Not in the common scenario where they have married and had children abroad. I do know of some people who left their country for 10+ years and returned. In all cases they had married somebody of the same nationality as theirs and moved while the children were still too young to care. In other words, the people who can easily return typically do so. Those who don't return often want but can't for one reason or another (usually their new family).
em-bee 2y ago
exactly, it is an experience that will shape their lives. in my opinion everyone should spend at least one year abroad somewhere just for the experience. i spent 11th grade as an exchange student, so when i got a job abroad years later, i knew what i was getting into. in between i volunteered for IAESTE, an organization that helps students get internships abroad because i believed that it would be a valuable experience more students should be able to benefit from.

2 ms·

It is much better that the young person tries it and decides it's not for them, than for the young person to never try and to have that doubt gnawing at them fo

by yen223 2y ago

It is much better that the young person tries it and decides it's not for them, than for the young person to never try and to have that doubt gnawing at them for the rest of their life.

david-gpu 2y ago
And why would that doubt be gnawing at them for the rest of their life? Do you think it is possible that all the rah-rah "moving abroad is great" messaging could have something to do with it? Moving abroad is often a choice. Moving back can be a lot harder once you have a spouse and children.
- yen223 2y ago
  The doubt comes from not knowing. Not knowing if a different life choice 20 years ago would have made them happier now, because they never tried. If they gave it a go and it didn't work out, then they know, and they would have plenty of time to course-correct. There wouldn't be any doubt.
  - david-gpu 2y ago
    > and they would have plenty of time to course-correct Not in the common scenario where they have married and had children abroad. I do know of some people who left their country for 10+ years and returned. In all cases they had married somebody of the same nationality as theirs and moved while the children were still too young to care. In other words, the people who can easily return typically do so. Those who don't return often want but can't for one reason or another (usually their new family).
em-bee 2y ago
exactly, it is an experience that will shape their lives. in my opinion everyone should spend at least one year abroad somewhere just for the experience. i spent 11th grade as an exchange student, so when i got a job abroad years later, i knew what i was getting into. in between i volunteered for IAESTE, an organization that helps students get internships abroad because i believed that it would be a valuable experience more students should be able to benefit from.