Why Young Americans Should Work Overseas

Post by clicks » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:49 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #76

clicks wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the running water, flushing toilets, electricity, inspected produce, guaranteed emergency room health care You're still missing the point. You emphasize guaranteed emergency care, but what about general non-emergency healthcare costs in America? If it's +1 for guaranteed healthcare in America, it's +1 for India when you can actually practically afford some life-saving x-ray or some surgery operation that costs lite…

The life expectancy in India is 65.5 years. Less than 3% of Indian townships are served by water treatment plants.

Post by seanmcdirmid » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:56 AM UTC

barry-cotter wrote: post #79

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There's so much food in America that obesity is a major health issue. Sort of stupid. It actually costs money to eat healthy, which many people can't afford in the states (fresh fruits and vegetables, grocery store far away, no car, just by crap at the convenience store then). The US doesn't compare well to Europe on quality of life for those not in the middle class. Ya, they can afford some crap, but not what they…

If you fry frozen vegetables in a wok with butter or oil and some spices it is delicious, healthy and very, very cheap. Adding beans or mincemeat for protein still leaves it at very cheap. I can't speak to the education system or public transport system in the States but frozen vegetables are surely available in most convenience stores, yeah?

Post by barry-cotter » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:59 AM UTC

doktrin wrote: post #57

HunterV wrote: post #15

As someone who grew up living all around the world I have this to say: Watch the move "Lost in Translation" If you can deal with forever being isolated, even with friends, then by all means live overseas. You will always be an outsider, no matter how acclimated you become. If you're ok with that, then you'll be fine. Otherwise, stick to America, it really is an awesome country to live in.

Ugh. Really? I truly don't get the hype about that movie. They definitely got the visuals right, but a lot of it felt "off". Quite a few of the cultural stereotypes were awkwardly over-played too. Also, Japan is really a different bird when it comes to integration. Not all countries have the same jarring and visceral division between foreigners and local society.

Post by [deleted] » Thu, May 02, 2013, 5:06 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #82

clicks wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's because of extreme poverty on the very lower end (also, I always wonder if these age expectancy numbers are taking into account low child mortality rates). If you take care of yourself well in India, you'll be fine. To be clear, I'm not advocating here that hey if you're in poverty here might as well leave the country, I'm saying if things are not working out spectacularly, you're stuck with a dead-end job (or…

The very lower end? 97% of Indian townships lack water treatment. Only 30% of Indians live in major metro areas.

Post by billpaetzke » Thu, May 02, 2013, 5:12 AM UTC

acabal wrote: post #22

More than a few of these arguments are basically, "The money's better there." Which might be true. But emigrating to a place is a big decision and money shouldn't be the factor you use to make it. Depending on where you go, building a new network of friends, learning the language, and acclimating to the culture can be difficult and weigh against your happiness far more than money can offset. And if you lose a year un…