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Is anyone here a migrant, or thinking of becoming one? (lemmygrad.ml)

submitted 2 years ago by Valbrandur@lemmygrad.ml to c/comradeship@lemmygrad.ml

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Are you someone who has left their country of birth to move and settle somewhere else, or who is thinking of doing so in the future? What led you to take that decision, or what is making you consider it? What have your experiences been until now, and what do you expect and hope for in the future?

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[–] DankZedong@lemmygrad.ml 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I am. I moved from The Netherlands to Belgium. I did so because of insane housing prices in The Netherlands and also because my girlfriend was studying here.

So far it has been a mixed experience. Belgium has a better leftist base to build on and I'm glad I was able to join our marxist party. I like the little more laid back approach to life over here and the cost of living is somewhat better too.

However, I do get treated like an immigrant. Sure, I'm white and from another (similar) European country, but I'm still a foreigner. I don't experience over the top racism or anything, but I get the occasional racist remarks. I also struggle to connect with Belgian people. The majority of my friends over here are Dutch migrants as well. I have some Belgian friends but they are considered very extravert by other Belgian people. The average Belgian person is very reserved and if you're not part of their friend group from kindergarten you have a hard time getting into groups. Making friends or even talking to people is easier in The Netherlands and I miss it sometimes.

Party work made it easier for me to meet new, like minded people. I think the one thing holding me here is the party lol. Eventually I'll move on to either France or back to The Netherlands. In the meantime I hope to build a better society with our marxist party.

I would do it again, though. It has been a great life experience to start a new life in another country with another culture, and to be treated as a foreigner. It really made me able to put things into perspective and it made me grow as a person.

[–] Valbrandur@lemmygrad.ml -1 points 2 years ago

I was told to consider The Netherlands as a destination for an easier life. Guess it won't be the top on my list if housing prices are so bad, haha.

Has anyone in your current party told you if there's a way you can keep doing useful work while living abroad? I imagine a marxist party could find it useful to keep correspondents abroad.