Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again - to clarify - by ‘social integration’ - I mean LO making a new group of friends. Nothing loftier than that. Asking as I know from past experience that adult Brits can be jerks. But the current craziness has changed our calculation.
So you are moving from a country that some of the highest rates of racial diversity and economic mobility to raise your kids in a place that is significantly more racially and economically segregated and calling it “social integration”?
I think you sound like a racist and classist hypocrite. No doubt that you will find exactly what it is you are looking for.
It makes me sad to read that - I just want to make the best of a bad situation and escape a racist, classist, fascist government with minimal disruption to my child. Plan on living a more modest life with no enmity towards anyone. But you are entitled to your opinion.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again - to clarify - by ‘social integration’ - I mean LO making a new group of friends. Nothing loftier than that. Asking as I know from past experience that adult Brits can be jerks. But the current craziness has changed our calculation.
So you are moving from a country that some of the highest rates of racial diversity and economic mobility to raise your kids in a place that is significantly more racially and economically segregated and calling it “social integration”?
I think you sound like a racist and classist hypocrite. No doubt that you will find exactly what it is you are looking for.
Anonymous wrote:We are seriously thinking about leaving the country. One of my biggest concerns is leaving DC’s tight circle of friends.
We are fortunate that visas are not an issue - we have the right to go to multiple Commonwealth and EU countries through family. Which would be the best for kids making friends? I have found some Brits vicious but appreciate that there’s no language barrier. Would Ireland be more friendly? I don’t want this to be more disruptive than it has to be. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Anonymous wrote:OP again - to clarify - by ‘social integration’ - I mean LO making a new group of friends. Nothing loftier than that. Asking as I know from past experience that adult Brits can be jerks. But the current craziness has changed our calculation.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We are seriously thinking about leaving the country. One of my biggest concerns is leaving DC’s tight circle of friends.
We are fortunate that visas are not an issue - we have the right to go to multiple Commonwealth and EU countries through family. Which would be the best for kids making friends? I have found some Brits vicious but appreciate that there’s no language barrier. Would Ireland be more friendly? I don’t want this to be more disruptive than it has to be. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Definitely one of the EU countries because they have the largest percentage of white people.
Anonymous wrote:Didn't read all the posts. Did you go, OP? To where?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:99% chance this will never happen.
Sheesh. As a long time former expat (15 years abroad) the grass is never greener on the other side of the fence. You want to leave US totalitarianism for.... Singaporean or UAE totalitarianism? Or EU countries that all have major populist movements?
+1
Also OP should recognize there would be almost no language barrier in MANY countries, not just the English speaking ones. I found the Dutch to be very welcoming to foreigners and if you put your kids in American school the transition would be seamless.
I agree with OP that Brits are viscous - even with each other - they take classism to a whole different level - just based on accents and their snobbery.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Whenever I hear about people doing this I think of all the people from those same countries who chose to come to and stay in the US.
Yes, it doesn't seem like it at times, but American kids (allllll American kids living here in America) have the best chance to be well-socialized, confident leaders.
I’m in Houston and I think Awty (our international school) is more like 2/3 Americans - many wealthy 2nd and 3rd generation kids - including mine.
This is such an insular view of the world. As an American expat who has lived in 4 other countries, I can assure you the rest of the world socializes their kids just fine. And attending private international schools abroad produces highly confident future leaders, with a broad world view.
Yet you put your kids in an international school where the majority of the children are expats. Why not have your kids in a local school where they can integrate with the locals and learn the country’s language.
Just FYI, international schools are usually about 50% local.
Anonymous wrote:99% chance this will never happen.
Sheesh. As a long time former expat (15 years abroad) the grass is never greener on the other side of the fence. You want to leave US totalitarianism for.... Singaporean or UAE totalitarianism? Or EU countries that all have major populist movements?
Anonymous wrote:Didn't read all the posts. Did you go, OP? To where?