Wanting to leave the States

[astroNikon]

I started to write something - having lived overseas, I do have something to say about it - but to be perfectly honest, I'm going to keep it to myself until I know whether or not the OP is still reading.

OP hasn't signed on since posting this.
So hasn't read any replies unless reading as a non-member.

 

[limr]

I started to write something - having lived overseas, I do have something to say about it - but to be perfectly honest, I'm going to keep it to myself until I know whether or not the OP is still reading.

OP hasn't signed on since posting this.
So hasn't read any replies unless reading as a non-member.

Well then I'll keep my "wisdom" to myself

 

[robbins.photo]

Well then I'll keep my "wisdom" to myself

What, the rest of us ninnyhammers are unworthy of such pearls?

Ok, ya.. you're probably right on that account.. lol

 

[Gary A.]

Sorry to be the downer on the subject, but stop talking about it and go. You're not talking about traveling, you're talking about moving. What could anyone else possibly tell about how to live your life?

Don't post about it, don't talk about it, just go. If you truly felt that strongly about it I don't think you'd be drawing attention over it.

Having lived in many different countries as a working photojournalist ... I could add some constructive input ... but, as the OP hasn't replied I'm sorta in Leo's corner.

I will add that I do like Eric's response. Yes, go and check out the world for yourself. You are young, and in general, it is best to make mistakes when you're young, that way you have a longer time for corrective action. Adventure and travel are not necessarily mistakes ... I just think you are acting out of ignorance. Moving to a different country because of intolerance is a mistake. San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles are some of the most tolerant cities in the world, in one of the most tolerant countries in the world.

Yes, parts of California are quite isolated and filled with small minded, intolerant peoples ... so, as Eric says "Go" ... go and taste big cities, small cities, country life, et al, but I strongly suggest you start here in the USA where at least you know the language, the laws and unless you're independently wealthy ... you can find work. Unless you have the proper papers, you will not find work as an alien in any country, unless you get paid under the table. It is pretty hard to get work papers here in the US, it is nearly impossible to get them in most other countries, unless you have a valuable skill or you can participate in an exchange program.

Like Eric, I strongly suggest that you go and see for yourself ... just don't ... or try not to ... or at least limit the times, when you act on ignorance.

 

[limr]

Well then I'll keep my "wisdom" to myself

What, the rest of us ninnyhammers are unworthy of such pearls?

Ok, ya.. you're probably right on that account.. lol

Okay, fine, here ya go, you ninnyhammers

1) The easiest way to get work overseas is to teach ESL.

2) Don't leave the U.S. expecting to escape anything. Even if you do escape one steaming pile, you'll realize that you're dealing with a different steaming pile. There is crap everywhere. EVERYWHERE. It just takes different forms. There are also good things everywhere, which also take different forms. It's all just a matter of which pile of good you value higher, and which pile of crap you're willing to put up with.

3) If you're going to go, then go with the purpose of understanding, not escaping. It's easy to feel fed up with one system when all you really know is that one system. I'm not saying you're going to go away and realize that the U.S. is actually a utopia but you never realized it. What I'm saying is that after you have traveled or lived elsewhere, you gain perspective and are able to better understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of your homeland. Then you can see the entire world as more of an interconnected whole, not just as "Us" vs "Them."

4) If you're going to go, then go. Don't put it off. It will just get harder, if not in terms of logistics then certainly in terms of what you're willing to put up with emotionally, physically, and mentally.

 

[astroNikon]

Quote of the Day

Even if you do escape one steaming pile, you'll realize that you're dealing with a different steaming pile

 

[DarkShadow]

Study abroad for a semester. Test the waters. Moving to a new country is too big a decision to be made on the emotions of a young person. Please don't take that as condescending. It's simply a fact, if you are a typical school age (18-22), you have a lot more maturing and emotional development to do before you settle. That's simply the effect of life experiences. If you want to go explore the world, travel. Just don't shred your US passport because the US doesn't seem ideal through your young eyes. You never know how it will appear to you with 5 to 10 years of adult life under your belt.

Words of wisdom.

 

[jcdeboever]

I have lived many places from military and job change / promotion. People are pretty much the same everywhere I have ever lived or traveled. Some are more laid back, others in a big hurry, some more rude, some more dirty. Austin Texas probably had the nicest people and great music but I felt like I was in an oven all the time. Japan might have been the worst, people there didn't like Marines for some valid reasons. I like the suggestion to study abroad. I also like the suggestion to not watch the news. I don't because it is very disturbing and the media has way too much influence on society.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I think too it would be great while you're young and don't yet have a job and family and commitments to travel and go experience life. But the practical part of it is, how will you afford it? school as an exchange student? a job overseas? That's what I think you'd need to figure out.

I have a reservation about the pre-existing medical condition described on the OP's website - it would I think be necessary to consider if you can get needed medication and treatment in figuring out where to go.

And having thought about it, to me this is a somewhat extreme reaction to current happenings, to want to escape your existing life. I can get why someone might feel that way, but yet, there's a little bell going off in the back of my head... of course not knowing someone, it's hard to know, but maybe going and talking to someone other than us bunch of hosers and ninnies would be a thought.

Find someone somewhere somehow thru that school where you're enrolled to talk to. Any other students at your school ever get any counseling? any campus organization you can go to? any instructors you feel like you could talk to? All I know is this is making me think of when I taught jr. high many years ago... I think talking to somebody can lead to a better outcome than students who try to handle something alone. And if nothing else getting various opinions can't hurt.

It's good I think you posted, and I hope you come back, and I hope you get some help in figuring things out and finding a good direction to go next in life.

 

[EIngerson]

Well then I'll keep my "wisdom" to myself

What, the rest of us ninnyhammers are unworthy of such pearls?

Ok, ya.. you're probably right on that account.. lol

Okay, fine, here ya go, you ninnyhammers

1) The easiest way to get work overseas is to teach ESL.

2) Don't leave the U.S. expecting to escape anything. Even if you do escape one steaming pile, you'll realize that you're dealing with a different steaming pile. There is crap everywhere. EVERYWHERE. It just takes different forms. There are also good things everywhere, which also take different forms. It's all just a matter of which pile of good you value higher, and which pile of crap you're willing to put up with.

3) If you're going to go, then go with the purpose of understanding, not escaping. It's easy to feel fed up with one system when all you really know is that one system. I'm not saying you're going to go away and realize that the U.S. is actually a utopia but you never realized it. What I'm saying is that after you have traveled or lived elsewhere, you gain perspective and are able to better understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of your homeland. Then you can see the entire world as more of an interconnected whole, not just as "Us" vs "Them."

4) If you're going to go, then go. Don't put it off. It will just get harder, if not in terms of logistics then certainly in terms of what you're willing to put up with emotionally, physically, and mentally.

FINALLY!!!!!! Ninnyhammer achievement unlocked!!!!!!

 

[table1349]

But what about the Jobbernowl's?

 

[unpopular]

I have lived many places from military and job change / promotion. People are pretty much the same everywhere I have ever lived or traveled. Some are more laid back, others in a big hurry, some more rude, some more dirty. Austin Texas probably had the nicest people and great music but I felt like I was in an oven all the time. Japan might have been the worst, people there didn't like Marines for some valid reasons. I like the suggestion to study abroad. I also like the suggestion to not watch the news. I don't because it is very disturbing and the media has way too much influence on society.

I have a friend who teaches in Korea. He hated it. Then he met a girl, got married and seems to not mind Korea nearly as much.

Funny how that is.

 

[Photography by Adri]

Okay, finally had a chance to catch up with this thread. I haven't had a free minute over the last several days, I've either been working or somewhere without internet connection.
Some assumptions seem to have been made about me. First off - I am a woman. Not a guy...Also, many people think I'm running from my problems. I mean, I guess you could say that I'm running from them, but only in the same way that I ran from my abusive father as a young girl. I'm running because it's my only option - the situation I'm in here is not good, and there's nothing I can do to change it. It doesn't have to do with my opinion on people, esp. Americans, it has to do with my current living situation. My growing distaste for the people in this country just adds to it. It's true that people can be the same no matter where you go, however, comparing statistics on America vs. other countries - there are obvious benefits (and sometimes drawbacks) to living in a different country.
I do find it curious that so many people are trying to discourage me from moving. Why should I stay where I am? Why not get out of here & see the world, live my life and be free? I grew up fast, I've seen and experienced things that many people only see in their worst nightmares. I'm ready to get out of here and start over, to build a life that I can actually be happy with. I have nothing connecting me to this place, but I do have a lot pushing me away from it. Traveling instead of actually moving would be an option, but I would want it to be long-term. I don't just want to get away for a couple months. If leaving here ends up being nothing more than a big failure - so be it. I'm not the kind to be dissuaded just because failure is an option.
I know what I want to do with my life, also. I am looking to major in science/photojournalism. I plan to let my photography follow my science career - or vice versa. I'm not 100% set on something, but I have a good idea of the direction I'm going.
One thing's for sure - I'm miserable here, and nobody is going to convince me to stay. I'm just looking for advice on the best ways to get out of here. Those of you saying "just do it, then" don't seem to realize that's exactly what I'm trying to do. But it's obviously not as easy and just packing my bags and leaving, it would be downright stupid to leave without first doing research and figuring out the best way to go about it.

 

[zombiesniper]

Only advice i could give is find out who has done what you wish to do and contact them for the advice you seek.
The best chance for your any plan to work is to learn from the mistakes of those who came before.

 

[snowbear]

Have you tried Google, Yahoo, or Dogpile? How about travel and relocation forums (I'm sure there is at least one) rather than one dedicated to photography?

Maybe start at the CIA World Factbook for some basic information on countries (like politics, GNP, population, etc.) If you don't trust a US Government site, then go to the UN web site for a few hours and browse around. I'm sure your school has accounts for the many research portals available - try some of those geared towards the Social Sciences.

Enjoy.