Can’t shake off Patriotism for my country

[MarkKol]

So I’ve been given an opportunity to go study in the States, which could lead to a green card/permanent residency later on. My country has pretty mediocre opportunities for almost everything in life, and I still haven’t burned through my socialization karma. The biggest city is about 750,000 people in a pretty non-scenic part of the country, the nightlife is questionable, some people have said It’s good but my personal experience doesn’t match that. 

I feel like I’m denying myself future opportunities and benefits because of this attachment.

This lack of opportunity really shows, because the population of the entire country is about 3.9 million, and we’re losing about 10% of our population every 10 or so years.

There are also things even a small European country like mine does better than the US, like safety, healthcare and cleanliness because America is a dirty ass place. 

I’ve been grappling with this issue for a long time.

I would very likely be studying somewhere in California or Texas. As it’s much cheaper there.

Edited February 11 by MarkKol

[Leeo_SA]

@MarkKol What is your question?

 

Why do you want to live in the states when you are an european citizen? Just change to another european country like germany. Better health care, better education, better safety aso.

[MarkKol]

1 minute ago, Leeo_SA said:

@MarkKol What is your question?

 

Why do you want to live in the states when you are an european citizen? Just change to another european country like germany. Better health care, better education, better safety aso.

I don’t speak German, it wouldn’t work.

What question is what the hell should I do?

[Leeo_SA]

@MarkKol ok. So what do you want in live? What are your dreams? What steps do you need to do in order to achieve them? If your goals are depending on changing the country, then you have your answer ...

[MarkKol]

2 hours ago, Leeo_SA said:

@MarkKol ok. So what do you want in live? What are your dreams? What steps do you need to do in order to achieve them? If your goals are depending on changing the country, then you have your answer ...

My dreams were always to live in the States, but as I’m growing older I’m liking my own country more and more.

Especially now that I’m presented with the opportunity to go, I’m hesitant, and this is my main issue.

America has this really unattractive hustle culture that’s constantly in the air. Something that not even Germany has, never mind Croatia.

[Paradoxed]

I would bet that there are opportunities where you are and the belief that there aren't opportunities where you are is a self-limiting one. The U.S. can lack opportunity depending on where you end up also.

If you don't like hustle culture, don't move to America. It will be expensive to study in the U.S. as well, and you probably won't have healthcare.

You need to create your opportunities where you are and not think that some foreign place has all the answers for you. 

That being said, if it is truly your dream to move to America, you must at least give it a shot. You can always go back to your home country (Trump will probably deport your ass anyway).

[Sugarcoat]

You have the possibility of coming back to Croatia right? Studying in America doesn’t mean you’re forced to stay there forever. You could for example visit Croatia to enjoy the vacation aspect of it, that’s what I do, as I live in Sweden and love Swedens system but go to Croatia during the summers. 

Edited February 11 by Sugarcoat

[MarkKol]

1 hour ago, Sugarcoat said:

You have the possibility of coming back to Croatia right? Studying in America doesn’t mean you’re forced to stay there forever. You could for example visit Croatia to enjoy the vacation aspect of it, that’s what I do, as I live in Sweden and love Swedens system but go to Croatia during the summers. 

You know that the whole country is pretty much dead during the summer besides the Adriatic part. I guess I haven’t been there yet, I traveled the whole world that I kinda forgot about my own country.

There are also many benefits to living in the States, yeah I can come back during summer but as the guy above mentioned, college tuition is expensive so i likely won’t have the time or money to go back every year.

[Sugarcoat]

6 minutes ago, MarkKol said:

You know that the whole country is pretty much dead during the summer besides the Adriatic part.

Didn’t know as I pretty much only go to the Adriatic part.

6 minutes ago, MarkKol said:

 I guess I haven’t been there yet, I traveled the whole world that I kinda forgot about my own country.

That’s cool you’ve traveled so much I’m not allowed to travel alone. 

 

6 minutes ago, MarkKol said:

There are also many benefits to living in the States, yeah I can come back during summer but as the guy above mentioned, college tuition is expensive so i likely won’t have the time or money to go back every year.

Yea considering how expensive it can be you really wanna feel like it’s worth it. You could really sit down and make a list of the pros and cons or something . I know  we can be a bit reluctant to leave the safety of Europe , it’s a big step. I’m personally drawn to America too so I’d say go for it , try it out. But have comprehensive planning. You’ve already traveled so much so you probably know how to deal with it

Edited February 11 by Sugarcoat

[Nemra]

Try to understand what you value.

I was also thinking about moving to the U.S. in the past, but as I started to understand the political situation there, I started to consider moving to some country in Europe that is more developed. If need be, I would make myself learn the language if it's hard.

As of now, I want to move to some other country because of the development of the people.

[MarkKol]

23 minutes ago, Sugarcoat said:

Didn’t know as I pretty much only go to the Adriatic part.

Where do you go?

[Sugarcoat]

17 minutes ago, MarkKol said:

Where do you go?

Primosten a lot, krk (a lot when I was younger), I’ve been to Zagreb twice, I’ve been a little to split, been to kaštela once , been to Rijeka once or twice , been to otocac (when we visited plitvice) can’t remember more

Edited February 11 by Sugarcoat

[Schizophonia]

What's the point of going to US ? Everything is better in europe. 

[Sugarcoat]

5 minutes ago, Schizophonia said:

What's the point of going to US ? Everything is better in europe. 

US feels for me like the center of the world. They have everything, and if you manage to get yourself into a decent position financially and build a security for yourself you can live a pretty good life there. Plus it seems more sociable. 

[Schizophonia]

18 minutes ago, Sugarcoat said:

US feels for me like the center of the world.

Who cares.

Quote

They have everything,

American cities are ugly and impassable without cars, and even when some like San Francisco have charm, well it's so expensive that most people live in shared accommodation, it's also unsafe.
Next door in Europe there is Paris, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Strasbourg..., all the medieval cities.
The best cars are European, the best architectures are in Europe, Europeans are more attractives/healthier, European food is much better, the social system in most European countries is much better, the price of food is much better etcetc.

Quote

and if you manage to get yourself into a decent position financially and build a security for yourself you can live a pretty good life there.

With some "if" we could put Paris in a bottle 

Quote

Plus it seems more sociable. 

Well precisely, the biggest cities are in Europe and the Far East.

If I had to go live in the United States I would go to the countryside.
What interests me is having access to comfort and nature.

Edited February 11 by Schizophonia

[Sugarcoat]

16 minutes ago, Schizophonia said:

American cities are ugly and impassable without cars, and even when some like San Francisco have charm, well it's so expensive that most people live in shared accommodation, it's also unsafe.
Next door in Europe there is Paris, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Strasbourg..., all the medieval cities.
The best cars are European, the best architectures are in Europe, Europeans are more attractives/healthier, European food is much better, the social system in most European countries is much better, the price of food is much better etcetc.

With some "if" we could put Paris in a bottle 

Well precisely, the biggest cities are in Europe and the Far East.

If I had to go live in the United States I would go to the countryside.
What interests me is having access to comfort and nature.

I can see your points. For now Europe is good for me. But the intrigue for America is still there for me. They have it all, the good and the ugly, and if you’re good financially you can live well there , and chose safer areas, better food etc, that would be ideal 

[Michael569]

Go for it.

You can visit home couple times a year and you'll find yourself cherishing your moments with friends and family more. 

I don't know where you're from (Balkan somewhere I think from your past posts) but in US, for a young guy, the opportunities are unmatched. With dual citizenship one day, your life will be easier to travel as well.

If you one day decide you want to settle back in home country, you can come back armed with new skills, awesome CV and maybe even start a business with the skills you learn. If you're in your mid 20s, this is a perfect opportunity to take

I had such opportunity to move to UK 10 years ago and I took it. I'm grateful I did, my country is currently going down the hill and I foresee very little growth in next 20 years. 

 

Edited February 12 by Michael569

[something_else]

Patriotism isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's only bad when it's delusional or extreme, like the patriotism you see from people in the US.

In general travelling to and living in new places is a good experience for most people. You don't need to sacrifice your patriotism in order to do that either. You can always visit home occasionally.

Edited February 12 by something_else

[Salvijus]

You'll always have a stronger connection with those of your country than others. Same way you will always have a stronger connection with your blood family. There's something beautiful about it. Embrace it and celebrate it but don't limit yourself to it. That's my philosophy. 

Edited February 12 by Salvijus

[MarkKol]

4 hours ago, Michael569 said:

Go for it.

You can visit hime couple times a year and you'll find yourself cherishing your moments with friends and family more.

I don't know where you're from (Balkan somewhere I think from your past posts) but in US, for a young guy, the opportunities are unmatched. With dual citizenship one day, your life will be easier to travel as well.

If you one day decide you want to settle back in home country, you can come back armed with new skills, awesome CV and maybe even start a business with the skills you learn. If you're in your mid 20s, this is a perfect opportunity to take

I had such opportunity to move to UK 10 years ago and I took it. I'm grateful I did, my country is currently going down the hill and I forsee very little growth in next 20 years. E

 

I was hoping you’d reply as I was quite sure you left somewhere from Eastern EU to the UK before Brexit, I might be wrong though.