Mike, thank-you for finally writing a post that doesn't insult someone, or descent to name calling! There has been far too much of that lately here.

I agree with what you say, I wrote something similar a little while ago. Every country has good and bad points. It is just a matter of finding one that suits your taste. Myself I like Asia, it is far more disorganized than the west, but (to me) much more dynamic and exciting. It is on the up and up. That rather suits my style. Other disagree of course!

> This was a very interesting point of view, of course I don't know
> Anne so I wouldn't dare comment if it applies to her.

> There is a similar type of syndrome for the foreign teachers, as
> well. I know, because I used to suffer from it myself.

> The teacher feels angry against his/her own society, probably his/her
> own family as well and wants to leave behind everything bad he/she
> sees in the world he/she knows. The teacher gets the qualifications
> needed, goes on a vacation and quickly finds a place that is
> "different." He/she finds a job, meets some local people,
> makes friends and quite often forms an emotional relationship.
> Marriage often follows.

> But then...

> Once the initial cultural adaptation wears off, or the teacher finds
> him/herself settled into the new life, the eyes open and the teacher
> now sees that their new home has just as many problems, albeit
> different ones, that they wanted to escape.

> Anyway, as noted above I went through a similar process, I have seen
> it happen to many many teachers, plus I have seen situations like the
> OP described among a few students here in Latin America, at the end
> of the day we all wake up to the fact that we are who we are, and if
> we want to change let's all try and change for the better.

> (If you read this far, thank you.) Sorry for the long post ;)