Have you lived in multiple countries in your life?

World - The world is composed of many countries. Different people live in different countries, but all of them have a common home: the Earth.
Canada
September 21, 2009 7:44pm CST
I currently live in Canada, but I have a very multicultural background. I was born in Japan, and lived there until I turned 7 years old, at which time I went back to China, where my true nationality lies. Then, I lived in China for another 5 years before my family immigrated to Canada when I was 12. People think it's really cool that I lived in three different countries in my life, but sometimes it can be really hard for me. Everytime I leave a country, I leave everything there behind. Sometimes I even get confused about where I really belong. Have you lived in different countries like I did? What did you feel about it? Do you value the experiences of having lived in different countries?
2 people like this
12 responses
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
Hi, AmuletGirl! I understand your situation though I had only live in one country. I had this experience in life when I had to go from one place to another because of acquiring an education as the province where I was born then had no school available for secondary studies nor college/university. True enough, every time you leave a certain place that you felt at home...you were leaving a lot behind like your friends and love ones, memorable events and places, etc. It is but normal to get confused about where you belong because you had been exposed to different cultures and beliefs however this multicultural background has its advantages. You must discover in yourself that unique experiences turned you to a better person and so value these experiences. Not all people can have the opportunity that you had...at my age, I'm not sure if I will ever had the chance to travel to China, Japan or Canada. I had just seen these countries in the pictures and now though the internet. Happy mylotting and God bless you!
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
Considered your experiences as gold that anyone can't take away from you...be happy wherever you may be...being yourself!
• Philippines
23 Sep 09
Hi, AmuletGirl! It was a pleasure on my part...thanks for your response! Have a great day and looking forward to your next discussions! God bless!
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Thanks so much! Your words are very comforting to me. Sometimes I do feel like I've experienced a lot, which definitely makes me feel very lucky that I got to experience all these. Thanks again for your great insights! Happy mylotting to you too!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
22 Sep 09
I'm an Australian and British Citizen that was born in Hong Kong. To date I've lived in Hong Kong, Australia (30 years), Philippines, India and Egypt (Currently there). All in all it's been a heck of an experience to have lived in this many countries, but it's also quite frustrating at times too to be honest. I miss Australia as I haven't been home for around 4 years now. I understand you completely when you say that "Sometimes I even get confused about where I really belong" because I feel exactly the same way a lot of the time. The important thing about it all is that I've developed a deeper understanding of different cultures and their way of life. You can't help but become far more tolerant of things when you have to constantly readjust!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Sep 09
Maximax, Egypt is an "interesting" place to live to say the least! I have my highs and lows here just like anywhere else I suppose, but to be honest, I'm not overly happy here. It's probably the biggest readjustement I've ever had to make and I've been here for 2 years now. There are many positive things about this country and there's an amazing history behind a lot of things, but I miss home..... Amuletgirl, the line of work I'm in has heavily influenced all of these relocations and most of it has been in the last 5 years too! I plan to be back in Australia as soon as I can, but it appears I might even be adding one more country to the list before I get myself home. I have to wait and see! Here we go again..... lol.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
22 Sep 09
Wow! You have lived in my countries my friend James. How do you like living in Egypt?
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Yes, you are absolutely right! You do become more tolerant of things, especially differences. Wow, you've lived in so many places in your life! So I guess I shouldn't complain, because there are a lot of people out there just like you who've been through much more than I did. It's good to know that I'm not alone. Thanks for sharing your insights! :)
@pillusch (1147)
• Mexico
22 Sep 09
Yes, I have lived in four different countries, and I traveled widely. I was born a German, but left my country, on my own volition, at the age of 20. I soent about 6 month in India, and lived for three years in Greece. After that I lived three years in England, and have been living for the past 20 years in Mexico. Now, the grand conclusion I have come to is that it really doesn't matter where you live. People are basically the same everywhere, apart from intercultural differences, which, when compared to the general human nature, are minor. I guess subconsciously I thought I would become a different person when I left my home country, but that turned out to be wrong, too. You always take yourself with you, no matter what.
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Wow, I haven't thought of that! :D You are right, we do remain the same wherever we go, and nothing can change our true nature. But I think we also became much more mature as a result of these changes that we have to cope with, don't you think?
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
22 Sep 09
I was born in England and live there at this time. I lived in Finland when I was eighteen then came back to England. I spent a just over one year going around the world when I was 20 years old. It was there that I met my Australian ex-husband. In my twenties I lived in the Netherlands for a few months. It is really cool that you have lived in some many different countries.
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Yes, it is pretty cool to be able to live in many countries, now that I think about it. But oh I'd love to go to England! It's seems like a very nice country with many interesting historical sites in London.
@shajerrl (309)
• China
22 Sep 09
As a outlier, maybe it's hard for me to understand what are you think of, but i actually know the feeling that you don't know where are you belong to. now i worked in another city that is about 8 hrs far away from my home town, though i have been worked here about 4 years, but i find that it's very hard for me to merge with this city. but in another way, i surely want to travel to different countries and see all the different life style, different scenery, also different culture etc.
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Oh wow, that must be really hard for you, working at a place you fell you don't belong. But yes, it is actually pretty interesting to experience different lifestyles and cultures, and I think it really makes you a mature person after you've experienced so many different changes.
@gicolet (1702)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Yeah i know how you feel. I was born in Philippines and lived there for 24 yrs and then moved to Taiwan and lived there for 12 yrs and now I'm living here in the U.S. with my family. I go and visit Phils. once in a while and there are mixed feelings of happiness and sadness everytime. I feel like a foreigner everytime i visit there...it's kind of funny. I've only been to Taiwan airport 2x on my way to Phils. from here last 2005 and it's also kind of like the same feelings...excitement and sadness. I sometimes think about my family and friends that I left behind in this 2 countries and I do feel sad. I miss them. Living here in the U.S. (7 yrs now) was like starting all over again and it wasn't an easy thing to do.
• Canada
22 Sep 09
Everytime I go back to visit my friends in China, I feel the same way too! I force myself to be still part of them, but the truth was, I'm actually growing apart from them. Whenever I see my old friends, I feel happy, then sad, because there's suddenly an awkwardness between us. I guess the best way is to look ahead and make new friends, but also preserve the memories with my old friends, so when we meet again, despite our differences, we can still share the memories of our times together in the past.
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
22 Sep 09
yes I did live in 3 countries too. When you're young, it's like an adventure, you can not wait to see what tommorow brings. Once you have a family, kids, obligations and responsabilities, it becomes harder and harder.Specially if you did not plan to move to another country and you have to work very,very hard o get to know the people, the mentality, to find a place of work that gives you respect as a new comer. But, you know what, every country, each language, gives you more knowkedge, more experience to deal with what life brings you. You don't get as stressed, take things easier and think that we're here only to experience things, than give our bodies back and take with us only our own experiences.
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
i born and grow up in only one country and that philippines. i love the people here or perhaps all love their own country, if theres someone who did not then maybe they didnt appreciate the people in their country or maybe because they give them hard time. though too bad coz a lot of people go outside the country thinking that its there hope to earn a lot of money, away from friends and family. though some of them manage to bring their family abroad and they are now living there. but so sad perhaps, be a stranger to other country no matter how much money you have. its still different than the happiness you have while your in your own country. you have freedom to explore everything, be with friends and family anf relatives. theres money if you work hard.
• Canada
22 Sep 09
yeah, I agree, there's plenty of good opportunities in your motherland, and it's always nice to be close to those you love and grew up with. Many parents want their children to go abroad to study, thinking that it's such a great opportunity, but the children will really have a hard time adjusting to their new life. So yeah, living in one country for your whole life definitely has its advantage.
@satyabs15 (119)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Hi amuletgirl, I have born and brought up and now living only in one country that is my great "INDIA". As you said, it is really very hard and painful thing to shif each and every time to a new country. Even when we change our home also it is really very difficult to cope up with that place even with in the country. Out of country is really very difficult. New place, New people, maybe different culture, food habits etc.,
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
22 Sep 09
I am only lived in india..and i have not getting any chance to live in different countries of world..and it's my strong desire..to lived in different countries..of the world...i think...it's very beautiful life..when you have time to visiting in different countries..then you will find how is life in those countries...and you will also know..different cultures of the different countries..
@buping (952)
• China
22 Sep 09
hi, i definitely understand what you said. i know the sadness you have. everytime you come back china, i think you old friens are the same attitude to you when you were little. it is you that thought about it too much. i like to have a chance to go abroad, but just for travel, not live.
@zhyair (89)
• China
28 Sep 09
It's really so cool. No, I always live in China. I think you're always one of Chinese. She is always our motherland. You know it's her 60th's national day this year, we're all pround of her. Hope you can come back to China one day.