What is life really like after migrating from your native homeland?

[BlackCryptoKnight]

What are the real experiences people face after migrating to a foreign land? Is it all milk and honey and bling? Do people miss their native lands? Do they keep links with back home? What's it like being an immigrant?

[Cocoa]

What are the real experiences people face after migrating to a foreign land? Is it all milk and honey and bling? Do people miss their native lands? Do they keep links with back home? What's it like being an immigrant?Definately not no milk and honey or bling bling. This is not paradise and is nothing like Jamaica. I miss my home and culture soo badly, everyday. I have most of my family and friends there in Ja and I must say that it is rough being away from them, especially being use to seeing them almost every other day. The fellowship is way better and the people treat you so different back home. They will pass you and say hi or smile.
Here it's like being a zombie. :eusa_wall Live, eat, sleep, work. A merry go round sometimes. Not colorful like Ja.

The money you earn goes straight to expences and when you do work, it seems as if your sweat becomes blood. When I was in Jamaica, it seem that you could see exactly where your revenue was going and then the fun and niceness after work and school was different.

I love the privelege though of getting this opportunity to come here and work and go to school, but like they say there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Home is where the heart is. Depression, frustration, the deep longing to be home with family and friends, sometimes get to you. Of course the environment is different and the spirit of Jamaica is not here. You have to recreate it in the convience of your home with fellow Ja'can immigrants. Can you imagine living like that? However, it is liveable and that is what I am doing now. Just grabbing a hold to the opportunites and trying to help family back home.

I communicate with them pretty well and use other Jamaican websites to keep me from going insane and to keep me in touch with my friends and Jamaican contacts. Thank God for the internet. I would love to travel more often though. Being the optimistic person I am, I know that will be possible in the future.

Life as an immigrant, now a US citizen, has not been bad. You get treated the same way but there is alot of cultural differences. It's hard to fit in. When you do find the very few people that will embrace you and the culture, you have to hold on good to them. :)

I must say that as a young lady of at a young age, I have accomplished alot so far as a result of my migration here. I have served in the US Army, gotten some college money in the process, some medical benefits and have established a place I call 'home' for now. Have my own vehicle and in the process of sharing a house and land with my mother. Now I am not saying this to boast at all, don't get me wrong, just to say that at the age that I am it would have been very rear to accomplish this while back home.

There is no place like home though man. I love my Jamaica, the land of my birth. However, I am very grateful for coming here to move up a little better in life and set up a foundation for the future of my family and kids. :cool:

That's my Ja$3.50c in the matter. :eusa_pray

[Greatis]

my my what a strong response... I can see your missing home sister. Question do you form close knit communities over there with people from your homeland? or from the same region (i.e the caribbean)

[Chris]

Good response JCB. You really miss home, we can tell ;) The point that always strikes me has to do with the rate at which persons in let's say the US are able to acquire things (house, land, car) as compared to if they were in Jamaica. Something that I keep thinking about :eusa_thin

[Cocoa]

I know Chris. I guess its the dollar value. But don't think it all came easily. I had to get a few bruises, sleepless nights and abuse before getting 'stuff'. I wish Jamaica could be like that too, trus' mi.

yes I miss yard bad bad man. I leap for joy when I go home.

@ greaits- I do form close knits here with people from Ja/Caribbean. thank God for the internet I am able to communicate and cheap phone cards.

[Chris]

I know it aint easy JCB, I would never underestimate it. I also realise that working in the US aint all that it's cracked up to be when I see my family having a hard time to take 2 weeks off to travel to Jamaica. Firstly, they can't get all two weeks at one time, next they can't afford the trip because kids in college, house payments, etc. And yet we will travel to them ever so often that it seems like we're "living life" in Jamaica. Ironic now isn't it?

[Cocoa]

I totally understand Chris. I wish the visa and immigration system was much better too. I wonder if we can do somethng to even get some rights in the US, for Jamaica as Puerto Rico does?

[BlackCryptoKnight]

JCB's experience sounds similar to that of family I have in the US. I visited them last year, and I it struck me just how stressful life was for them over there. Working multiple jobs, always rushing, dealing with racism, not having as strong a connection to Jamaica as they'd want - all these things made me really wonder if it was worth it.

They live in a nice home, they all drive nice vehicles, but the quality of life is really different than in Jamaica. In Jamaica, we're more relaxed. People over there seem so uptight. I guess that comes from all the work stress and hectic lifestyle up there.

It's definitely not easy.

[Cocoa]

"It's not an easy road, many see de glamour and de glitter and dem tink a bed a roses, who feels it knows..." In the famous words of Buju. He says it best.

[Relish]

Every single day mi want fi guh back a mi yawd, but when mi think bout how mi nuh have no work dey fi guh back guh eat out di likkle money whey mi save arredy mi juss sey cho, mek mi tan an juss wuk some more money till mi is financially stabled mi guh back home guh kick back. Mi hope to go back home soon though, in the next two or three more yrs. A bed a roses fimmi caws roses full a thorns :D

[Kitten]

I think people watch to much TV and their view of the United States is clouded. No there is no milk and honey given to you. You have to work in this world to get what you want. I think people tend to forget that they have been given and opportunity to obtain a better future for themselves. After thats what they wanted to go there for in the first place. My parents came from Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. Both of them coming from little means. But I know that at the time they came here, it was a struggle. They are very grateful that they succeded in what they wanted to do by coming to the United States. Of course people miss were they come from. But when you enter somewhere else on your own accord, then you should not complain. Because it was a choice and a choice that did not have to be granted. People fail to remember that the United States had slavery for hundreds of years until it was abolished. So they should consider that before they leap. They should decide if they can deal with the otherside of a culture they have never lived in. My parents and myself are very happy in the United States and I for one dont know if I could live in Ja. Because I am happy with what I have here and I am comfortable to just visit Jamaica when I choose.

[Cocoa]

SO what is life like for you Kitten after migrating from your native homeland?

[Kitten]

Like I said Im comfortable I cant complain. I have a good job and great family who loves me. I have been trying to understand why so many people are depressed about their lives. what is the reason behind it, I dont know. But I think because they are not happy with themselves in certain things. So it doesnt mean that if they go to Ja is going to all go away.

[Cocoa]

Originally posted by Kitten: Like I said Im comfortable I cant complain. I have a good job and great family who loves me. I have been trying to understand why so many people are depressed about their lives. what is the reason behind it, I dont know. But I think because they are not happy with themselves in certain things. So it doesnt mean that if they go to Ja is going to all go away.How can you say such a thing? Who is certain people? You must not know and understand what it is like to miss Jamaica or your homeland. Just going home to visit family and friends is like a fresher from all the misery America brings at times.

Oh no, you don't know what is it like it seems to miss it all,because you said above that you are comfortable and have family who loves you. Then I should only assume that you do not know and understand and therefore has no sympathy for anyone who misses their home in regardless of the fact that they have family who loves them or a good job also. Has nothing to do with 'being happy with themselves in certain things."

As for depression, thats another thread for you to try and understand why people are.

Hmm...sometimes it is good Kitten to go back and read what was written, considering the feelings of others and not just thinking always about one self.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I think there's a definite difference in the experience of someone who was born one place, grew up there to a point then migrated as opposed to someone whose parents migrated then had them in the new country or brought them when they were very young and had not yet formed an attachment to their native land.

I know that for my family part of the misery stems from the US culture being so different from that which they've grown up in. When you're the minority in terms of culture and nature of your behaviour, it can be very rough. Especially if you do not have likeminded people around you to empathize.

So I guess Kitten's perspective may be different from others if she was born and grown over there rather than moving there.

[Kitten]

Interesting that you develop an attitude and you asked me a question. And to the best of my knowledge I gave you my answer. That I dont understand why they are depressed. I work with people who are from Jamaica. And some of them to me complain for no reason. they have alot. Maybe even more than myself and they are always complaining. So maybe that is what I am basing my opinion on. Furthermore, I dont think about only myself. I happen to be grateful for my life and my families life. I have family in Jamaica and their home was destroyed. I am wiring funds to them now to help them. So I dont think I just think about myself. Today they still dont have electricity, so I dont think im better than they are. I am fortunate yes, because I was not there when it happen. But that does not mean, I dont have compassion for the less fortunate. So really I dont know what your saying and if you dont want my opinion, then just dont ask me a question. And that will solve that.

[Kitten]

I was not born here my parents brought me here years ago when I was a young girl around 7 or 8 so I came here just like they did. And i had to live without them for a time until they brought me here. you know I have nothing further to add.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I was not born here my parents brought me here years ago when I was a young girl around 7 or 8 so I came here just like they did. And i had to live without them for a time until they brought me here. you know I have nothing further to add.

Ok. No worries. Every person has their experiences and their perspectives. Some assimilate more easily into new environments. Some don't fit or feel as comfortable. Such is life.

[Cocoa]

I'm sorry Kitten if I had some attitude towards you, I guess I interpreted you earlier on wrong. My apologises.


Every person has their experiences and their perspectives. Some assimilate more easily into new environments. Some don't fit or feel as comfortable. Such is life.I will run with what BCK has said, and balance out your case and mine.

But all i know is that I miss Jamaica and my family again. :(

[InkyP1]

Yes it is missed. But alot people have settled well in the country that they migrate too. I know people from all over and some dont even want to go back to their countries, for one reason or another. So its probably a matter of circumstance and how each persons circumstance is. I think if everybody wanted to go back to Jamaica even. The lines would be in droves. Some are content and grateful for what they have, because they no they had nothing before. And it was hard for them to make it. Glad the conversation got rectified and everyone is understood. :)

[Greatis]

I was not born here my parents brought me here years ago when I was a young girl around 7 or 8 so I came here just like they did. And i had to live without them for a time until they brought me here. you know I have nothing further to add.

Well based on this statement I maybe able to understand why you don't miss your homeland as much as other people. Now this is not a rule so don't hold me to it.

Your age at departure maybe the reason why you don't miss it. At tender ages children tend to adapt more readily to changing environments. At age 8 it was far easier for you to adapt and even forget alot of your experiences in Ja. However someone migrating at the age of say 16 upward would find it more difficult.

Just my thoughts still.

[Bashment Girl]

What are the real experiences people face after migrating to a foreign land? Is it all milk and honey and bling? Do people miss their native lands? Do they keep links with back home? What's it like being an immigrant?

The people I know....

Sometimes they can experience a culture shock when they immigrate and it takes them a while to get accustomed to dealing socially and, professionally with a country full of people in a different mind set!

Also, for a lot of people, they came here at the age of 18 or 20 and they're heart is in their homeland. They miss home keepin contact with their people home, and a lot of them spend every vaccation they can going back home. Even though they know that, being here is better for their success: pocket book, education etc. they never really grow on this country that much.

Home is where the heart is.... so a lot of people that immigrate here come just to find that they've left their heart in their home land.

[Sunserie]

The people I know....

Sometimes they can experience a culture shock when they immigrate and it takes them a while to get accustomed to dealing socially and, professionally with a country full of people in a different mind set!

Also, for a lot of people, they came here at the age of 18 or 20 and they're heart is in their homeland. They miss home keepin contact with their people home, and a lot of them spend every vaccation they can going back home. Even though they know that, being here is better for their success: pocket book, education etc. they never really grow on this country that much.

Home is where the heart is.... so a lot of people that immigrate here come just to find that they've left their heart in their home land.

This is so very true.

[Kitten]

Well based on this statement I maybe able to understand why you don't miss your homeland as much as other people. Now this is not a rule so don't hold me to it.

Your age at departure maybe the reason why you don't miss it. At tender ages children tend to adapt more readily to changing environments. At age 8 it was far easier for you to adapt and even forget alot of your experiences in Ja. However someone migrating at the age of say 16 upward would find it more difficult.

Just my thoughts still.

My My here you are again analyzing Kitten. Really you have no idea how my life was when I was in Jamaica. You dont know how much time Ive spent in Jamaica over the years and you dont know things that have occured. So really I dont think that you cant base your comment on anything but your theory because of my opinion. I dont know what the big deal is but anyhow. The fact still remains that I have a opinion and Im not the only one who has one. Take care Greatis its ok. its cool. :)

[BlackCryptoKnight]

What is the transition to a new school, work and social environment like?
How do the educational and working world compare to those back home?
How easy was it to make new friends and interact socially with new people?

[AngelsKiss]

What is the transition to a new school, work and social environment like?
How do the educational and working world compare to those back home?
How easy was it to make new friends and interact socially with new people?
Like everything else it comes with it's own set of challenges, but like I always say...its not just the challenges that we face that are important but how we deal with them (attitude) and what we learn from them.

Here in Canada there are lots of challenges:
1) The weather...lots of ppl move here and find it difficult to cope and so they complain every day (a waste of time IMO)
2) It's a very diverse culture and you find sometimes it's difficult to make really good friends out side your own ppl.
3) Racism is very much a live and well...it's not just the whites, but many of the Indians (not native ppl) can be very racist against blacks. The natives here suffer a lot too, you just don't hear about it much.
4) They tax you to death here.
5) I don't think their educational system is all that great especially when you consider that kids here start school at age 5. If you want them to start earlier you have to send them to a private school.

Positives:
1) The heath care here is one of the best in the world. I heard Bush in his debate this week claimed that the USA has the best health care in the world and I laughed. First not only is it a lie but their health care system is only good if you have money. Not so here in Canada. Canada is like Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, etc. when it comes to health care. We in Ontario only recently (this year) began to pay for health care. Our Provincial Health care covers most things with the exception of drugs, dental and eye. However if you are in the hospital you get your drugs without paying for them. Also we didnt have to pay for eye exams until this year.
2) Crime rate compare to the USA and many other places is good.
3) Canada has one of the best banking systems in the world, however, it costs, simply because they have no real competition and the govt set it up that way.
4) I am sure you see me write about the libraries. If I were to leave Canada tomorrow, that's the one thing I would definately miss, that and the cold weather.

There are other things both good and bad but its dependent on who you talk with and their experience.

For me, I neither hate it not love it here.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

How do you people deal with the cold? It must really be challenging adapting to a new climate and one so different from the warmth of the Caribbean.

[AngelsKiss]

How do you people deal with the cold? It must really be challenging adapting to a new climate and one so different from the warmth of the Caribbean.
Lots of ppl don't handle it well, they grumble all the time. I am one of the lucky ones who truly don't mind the cold and actually like it...I know am crazy, I hear it all the time:D

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Lots of ppl don't handle it well, they grumble all the time. I am one of the lucky ones who truly don't mind the cold and actually like it...I know am crazy, I hear it all the time:D

I've visited Canada during the August period, and man was it cold. The wind was the worst though. It just ripped cold straight through the layers of clothing I had on. I can't imagine what it must be like during the true winter time. :confused:

[AngelsKiss]

I've visited Canada during the August period, and man was it cold. The wind was the worst though. It just ripped cold straight through the layers of clothing I had on. I can't imagine what it must be like during the true winter time. :confused:

LOL...BCK if you think August is cold...I don't want to see you in the dead of winter when its -35C and with the wind chill it's -45:)

[BlackCryptoKnight]

LOL...BCK if you think August is cold...I don't want to see you in the dead of winter when its -35C and with the wind chill it's -45:)
:icon_eek:
You all can keep those icebox temperatures please :confused:

My mind bogles at those figures :icon_neut

[AngelsKiss]

:icon_eek:
You all can keep those icebox temperatures please :confused:

My mind bogles at those figures :icon_neut

Ahhh BCK...there are worst things in life than a lil cold:)

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Ahhh BCK...there are worst things in life than a lil cold:)

Frostbite? Freezerburn? :confused:

[AngelsKiss]

Frostbite? Freezerburn? :confused:
LMBO...yeah you could, but you are more likely to get run over than get frostbite. That's why you have to bundle up ;)