And I will add that without exception every single ex-pat I’ve ever met here in Costa Rica has been a total loser who is here because they are escaping something back home. If they have any ambition or purpose in life, they eventually end up going back home to the US.

All the supposedly “good” ex-pats you mention (Peace Corp volunteers, academics, artists, writers and students abroad) are not really ex-pats. They are people who go abroad for a long-term stay (6 months-two years), but they are there for a purpose and eventually go back home. A true ex-pat is a person who leaves their home country with no intention of ever going back. True ex-pats who aren’t losers typically discover with a year or two that living abroad isn’t for them and they eventually go back home. The ones who stay forever typically become addicted to drugs or addicted to being lazy and then CAN’T go back home because they can’t cut it in the ambitious, hard-working atmosphere that is life in the US.

I will mention that retirees are one exception to this, but that’s because they’re retired and they’re not expected to work anymore.

You rock dude, I agree, whole heartedly. I think the whole mess of the world is about to change, we can’t continue to exploit, and ruin, what was given not free of charge mind you, but with a great responsibility to maintain and love, not maim destroy and pillage, save the earth, save ourselves, then save our future. Thanks!


I’ve seen those self-important executives who travel a good deal for those predatory global imperialist corporations. They stay at the good hotels, drink too much, get laid by exploited sex-workers as they sell their overpriced crap to a world that doesn’t need them or their products.

Most business executives are losers who can’t cut it abroad, if it weren’t for the platinum credit cards and expense accounts. I’ve yet to meet a corporate executive anywhere in the world who makes me say to myself, “Now there’s a decent human being who isn’t exploiting people and ripping off the wealth of the planet for corporate profits.”

Why can’t these corporate losers stay home and go to meetings, or exercise their stock options and just leave the planet alone?

Zoltan

Personally I came to China for a change. I had just turned 30 and wanted some excitement in my life. China has a booming economy and I wanted to learn and be apart of it instead of fighting the slugging economy back home.

But it should be noted that many normal people behave differently in a foreign country.

IMO the worst expats are the ones that go native, this is especially prevalent in asian countries, i believe.

As for Guatemala, I loved it–I think it’s one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in Central America. Teaching English is always a good (if popular) option. I’d list a slew of places to start looking but I’m on the road in Costa Rica right now and research is a little tricky.
Buena suerte!
Miss Move Abroad

PS I’ve lived abroad a lot too, (Austria, Germany and Japan) and am home for the time being trying to save up money. It’s tough though, and I can’t wait to get back out there. I’m thinking about moving to South or Central America next. Did you enjoy Guatamala? Would you recommend teaching English there?