tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post7270059574732864621..comments2023-05-14T08:37:13.863-04:00Comments on The ExPat Returneth: The Returnee FamilyLarissa Reinharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483331518276860201noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-55633343875605938892012-01-16T15:41:03.698-05:002012-01-16T15:41:03.698-05:00I'm so glad to hear you looked into the newcom...I'm so glad to hear you looked into the newcomers group & are applying to volunteer, Kim! Good for you! Are you Canadian? I was going to say all the Canadians I have met in my travels have been such nice, friendly people that I'm very hopeful you're going to find some friends soon.<br /><br />I have an expat friend that I met in Japan that has just moved back to the US to a new city and is experiencing the same feelings. She's going to be a guest poster soon and will talk about this topic. I hope it helps just to know that you are not alone!<br /><br />Nice to meet you, too!Larissa Reinharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483331518276860201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-25142786153722490402012-01-15T20:29:58.262-05:002012-01-15T20:29:58.262-05:00Thanks for the thoughtful answer :)
Our town is p...Thanks for the thoughtful answer :)<br /><br />Our town is probably too small and too distant from any sort of international group, though I did phone the 'newcomers' group up to see what they might offer and that might lead to something. Last week I dropped off my application to our local hospital's volunteer association and have started the process to be part of that. I'm really looking forward to having something to do that involves being around other people! <br /><br />I'll drop by your blog often and read all your posts :))<br /><br />Nice meeting you! KimMiss Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05755376182972818159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-86816047166503317762012-01-14T21:39:16.472-05:002012-01-14T21:39:16.472-05:00Hi Kim,
That's tough. I found, when you're...Hi Kim,<br />That's tough. I found, when you're an expat it's easier to make friends with people from your home country because you have the "foreigner in a foreign land" as a shared experience. That's why I started this blog. I wanted a place to express how much I miss my overseas living experience without sounding whiny (I hope) to like-minded people. <br /><br />If your town has foreign country friendship societies, I would start there. The second time we returned from Japan, I got involved in a Japanese group which helped me to meet other Japanese families and other people who had lived in Japan. That led to teaching English to a few families, which helped me keep a connection I missed. <br /><br />Even if the country is not one you've lived in, generally there are people who appreciate or have experienced the expat experience. Do you live within driving distance to a larger city that would offer cultural events related to the countries you lived in?<br /><br />Because you're in a small town, you might not have those options. The best way to meet new friends is to get involved in your community. You have to make the effort in a small town (I grew up in one), which is not easy. It may be hard to find other people who value the experiences you've had, but there will be some who appreciate what you've done even if they don't understand it. <br /><br />I hope eventually people can find each other through this blog, though. You may not be able to see them in person, but you never know what kind of friendships can develop. I recently made a friend through a writing blog (we were both commenting at someone else's blog). It's led to an email friendship where we're emailing each other several times a week and hope to meet in person at a conference next year. <br /><br />Good luck Kim! You are not alone:-)Larissa Reinharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483331518276860201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-86680293994941942882012-01-14T20:41:30.347-05:002012-01-14T20:41:30.347-05:00I'm also an ex ex-pat finding the adjustment a...I'm also an ex ex-pat finding the adjustment a wee bit difficult even after a year of being 'back home'. I've spent 16 years in the following countries: The Netherlands, Romania, Czech Rep, Slovak Rep. and Albania. We're back in Canada now and living in a fairly small town. I miss my friendships tremendously, especially the laughter and lovely times I spent with my girlfriends. It's really hard to make friends since we were away so long and moved back to an unfamiliar town. Any advice on meeting people? KimMiss Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05755376182972818159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-51887418778615564682012-01-14T17:27:33.968-05:002012-01-14T17:27:33.968-05:00Thanks for following, Kay. I know exactly how you ...Thanks for following, Kay. I know exactly how you feel about your new life. It's hard to explain how you feel to those who haven't lived overseas.<br />Sorry about the carp. I like him, but can't figure yet how to shrink him. I may have to throw him back for something new.Larissa Reinharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483331518276860201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-80740099453404502392012-01-14T10:38:37.914-05:002012-01-14T10:38:37.914-05:00An ex-expat, I'm going to follow this for a wh...An ex-expat, I'm going to follow this for a while, looking for a place to truly mourn expat life (35 years in Japan, lots of time in France, love my mother USA but am expat at heart and just chafe at my new small, charming, beautiful and boring town/life). Being snarky for a sec, I hope you get your giganormous carp photo at the top a bit smaller so we can see a lot of the blog without scrolling first......Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13157592440874057828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159941990606808042.post-71987210598390240392012-01-06T13:14:41.114-05:002012-01-06T13:14:41.114-05:00Ris, Great job! This is perfectly done, not whinyRis, Great job! This is perfectly done, not whinythoff3https://www.blogger.com/profile/17959237484192969701noreply@blogger.com