Expats are citizens of Western nations who choose to live in non-Western countries temporarily, retaining their native citizenship. They form their own communities and may receive support from local governments. Expats may be viewed negatively but often give back to their host countries. Every country has an expat community that can be connected with through websites or local meeting places.
An expat is someone who has chosen to live in a country other than the one in which they legally reside. Most often, an expat is a citizen of a Western nation who has chosen to live in a non-Western country, such as one in South America, Asia or Africa. Occasionally, someone living in a Western country other than the one of which they have citizenship is referred to as an expatriate, but this usage is less frequent.
An expat differs from an immigrant in that most expats do not plan to reside permanently in the new country and, if so, plan to retain their native citizenship for practical purposes. Immigrants, by contrast, usually plan to reside permanently in a new country and acquire permanent citizenship there. The word expatriate comes from the Latin ex which means “out of” and patria which means “country”.
Expats are often known simply as expatriates and often form their own communities in their new host countries. In areas frequented by expats, such as parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, there are often amenities such as hotels and cafes that specifically cater to the needs of the local expat community. Local and national governments may also be able to offer information and resources to potential expats, helping them navigate the sometimes confusing world of long-term visas and work permits. Governments in many developing nations are happy to encourage expats with decent liquid assets or a stable source of income, as they view them as a stable financial footing.
Expatriates are sometimes looked upon negatively, both by citizens of their native country and by citizens of the country in which they have chosen to reside. Some people refer to expats who leave their native country as expats, indicating that they have a diminished sense of patriotism reflected in their desire to leave their homeland. Some groups in popular expat destinations view the expat community as a negative force in their country, as expats often do not pay the tax base, are not part of the military, and may not fully integrate into the local culture.
For the most part, however, the expat community is not only tolerated but encouraged in third world countries. Many expats give back immensely to their host countries, using their relative wealth to support local infrastructure and businesses, and using their understanding of their home countries’ citizens to help expand the tourism industry and to mitigate many of the effects negatives that tourism could have. By acting as an intermediary between tourists and the local culture, an expat can help facilitate cultural sensitivity and environmental respect, and assist in translation and communication.
Virtually every country in the world has a decent sized expat community, and people interested in relocating to a new country permanently or semi-permanently may want to connect with that community. Many expat communities have websites or local meeting places where they share tips and contacts with the curious, and these can usually be found through a quick web search or by flipping through a good guidebook from the country in question.
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