I wish we could get rid of the word EXPAT. Especially now with so many citizens leaving the U.S.A. Spoiler alert: WE ARE IMMIGRANTS.
When I first moved to Costa Rica 2.5 years ago I called myself an expat, but quickly realized that's a made up word for Americans to feel elite. I'm an immigrant. 🙏🇨🇷
When I first moved to Costa Rica 2.5 years ago I called myself an expat, but quickly realized that's a made up word for Americans to feel elite. I'm an immigrant. 🙏🇨🇷
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It is a colonial word. I immigrated to Kenya over 20 years ago. Am now a citizen... and have now migrated back to the US.
This is a good article.
https://medium.com/@moira.kers/expats-vs-migrant-workers-why-and-how-do-we-mix-up-these-words-d18ff9bd4144
However, we Irish (having despatched the occupying colonial power 100 years ago) refer to ourselves as “un-documented” rather than “illegal aliens” when living & working abroad without a visa.
The vagaries of the English language!
I also never fully understood what that word was supposed to mean anyways…
Ex-Patriot? I would have agreed if it had - at least - some reference to “professionell” or “labor” context.
I’ve been looking at Portugal to be an “expat” and now I will think of it as emigrating to Portugal and I will be an immigrant.
Thanks!