Yesterday I realized that all my college buddies from Georgia returned to Georgia after finishing their studies. Then I got curious and checked facebook for my other buddies from the former USSR. Almost all of them have returned back to their homeland except for a few Russians.
None of the Armenians have returned to Armenia.
I don't know what kind of a conclusion to draw.
You can make one of the following conclusions;
ReplyDelete1. You are a genius; you managed to stay in the USA!!!.
2. You are a crap; you could not give something back to Armenia.
Wow, anonymous, do you really feel the need to be that angry and hateful?
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest an explanation?
ReplyDeleteArmenians adopt better in new environments.
Observer, I have not seen any more flexibility among Armenians than other nationals or ethnic groups. I think all the immigrants have similar drive to succeed and the degree of their success depends on their ability to speak the local language, their skill set and the overall stereotypes about their nationality (things like being from former Soviet Union, being a Latino, etc.) What is true is that outside the Los Angeles area, Armenians generally have an image of hard-working and decent citizens throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it than, Nazarian. Why did you stay?
ReplyDeleteI spent a year in the US in 1995-96, graduated a high-school, got an admission to the University of Chicago, but... went back. A close friend from our group stayed, and now he's a successful musician in California.
Went back to the US in 2000, with the intention to stay and join the .com boom... but ran away in a month.
I had at least a dozen occasions also to stay in UK, Belgium, etc. and I've always come back, alway wondering, how does it happen, that people with inferiour language skills than I stay there, and I can't seem to cope.
So you see - your post is an important one for me, because right now I'm pondering - should I stay and build a life in Armenia, or take my two baby boys somewhere else and start from the scratch.
Observer, I don't want to discuss my personal circumstances on a public forum but have to say that I tried twice to return to Armenia and could not justify such a move after living there for a while.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unfair to Observer to leave it at the previous comment.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason why it would be difficult for me to see myself there is fundamental lack of respect - respect for another human being, respect for the state and respect for the law. things are held together through favors for each other.
This is not a criticism, it is what it is and is part of the culture. It just doesn't fit in my value system very well.
As for staying or leaving, if your life is going to be unbearable in the US then there is no point in moving there. Of course, there is the issue of getting accustomed to a different culture which may take years but there can be fundamental differences that simply cannot be overcome.
ReplyDeleteSorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good post. Your post helped me in my college assignment, If you can provide me more details please email me.
ReplyDeleteArmenians have an advantage of large local community in practically every country they choose to stay in. They also have a disadvantage of a thoroughly corrupt and dysfunctional government, should they choose to return to homeland. Like yourself, I tried going back. Two and a half years of living in Armenia were both heaven and hell at the same time. I think the conclusion is obvious :)
ReplyDeleteto Observer/Ditord: my cousin's family from Armenia moved to Canada over 5 years ago. After many years of longing for "back home" and actually saying that his life in Armenia was better than the debt-ridden one he currently lives in Canada, my cousin's dad came back to Armenia (but just for a visit). He got his full of all those things he missed but he also noticed the country had changed and so had he. And the one thing he's sure of? He's glad he left if only because of the future of his two boys (my cousins). And, unfortunately, it's sad to say, but I can understand it.
ReplyDeleteto Observer/Ditord: my cousin's family from Armenia moved to Canada over 5 years ago. After many years of longing for "back home" and actually saying that his life in Armenia was better than the debt-ridden one he currently lives in Canada, my cousin's dad came back to Armenia (but just for a visit). He got his full of all those things he missed but he also noticed the country had changed and so had he. And the one thing he's sure of? He's glad he left if only because of the future of his two boys (my cousins). And, unfortunately, it's sad to say, but I can understand it.
ReplyDelete