CitySimon

Hey Steve,

If people had no problems moving from the UK to other countries, I expect that the number of threads in these forums would be considerably fewer in number (and a lot less interesting)

If you look at the "Moving Back to the UK" section, you'll see a huge number of people who have made the move and have either come across a crappy situation or have since realised the error of their way.

A lot of people come over with the Hollywood image of the US with streets lined with blossoming trees, everyone waving to one another, perfect little gardens...etc... The very obvious truth is that it's an invented reality done to sell the supposed best features of Brand USA to the world. If you want to see the fabrication of the US for the media, look at the soap operas on TV each day... Based on my own experiences, the vivid reality of life shown in shows like Eastenders and Coronation Street is regarded as a very wierd idea to many Americans.


Anyway, to answer your question, I think that everyone goes through a realignment of reality when they get over here and it either goes well or they go back to the UK.

Personally, I had a lot of issues in my first two years. It took me a long time to accept the differences and even longer to adjust to them - Some people might suggest I still haven't accepted or adjusted to some differences.

-Simon

edgeog

Just a quick note 'cos I think we have a similar history...

I was thrown into Philadelphia but I have also spent time too in Erie PA, it's a lot gentler, but a bit more... how can I say this delicately... hick.. now I've done it!

Came to the US at 12, hit the 7th grade like a brick wall. I left the UK feeling pretty positive about coming to the US. That year was the worst, I was the butt of every joke and malicious trick ever. 8th grade sucked, 10th got a little better as I went into high school. Fell in love a couple of times and got fried to a crisp for it. School work was a breeze because I coasted on what I had learned in the UK... in 10th grade the knowledge ran out and my grades slipped and I burned up 11 & 12 grade. Sound familiar so far....

By 12th grade I had gained enough "coolness" though to make life better good but it was a long time coming.

I then graduated and screwed up getting into college so I went back to the UK (London) and tried to get 'A' Levels and get into University... a complete disaster and got labeled as a Yank and was outside with pretty everyone. The US started to look like it was a better time. Before I went back to the UK I got my US citizenship, If you can swing it I recommend it so that you can get back (you have a US father, there should be a route)

In London I fell in with a lot of Ex-Pat Americans, the best friends I have ever had, faithful, true, and solid - truly the salt of the earth.

Then I came back to the US for college because I couldn't get into any UK Universities, my High School Grades were a disaster, my A levels were worse but I managed to get a scholarship on the strength of being English and life got better.

In my old home town in the US I was welcomed home as a hero, a guest star at the parties and one of the girls that had broken my heart changed her mind and wanted me as a trophy (she broke my heart within a week, but lets not go there....)

In college the world changed and very soon became one of the "big men on campus" not because I was an athlete or any of that crap, just because I was "different",,, life got good.

In short kiddo, Americans can be cruel and brutal but they can also be the best friends you will ever had. My American friends have stuck with me through thick and thin. My British friends tend to drift away over time.

Just a quick synopses but I think we have a lot in common and have gone through a lot of the same abuse.

Let me know if I can help.... I think I have travelled a similar route.

YoungSteve17

It funny what how you described Erie as a hick town because my mum calls it that all the time Yes that pretty much my exact story, except about the love part.

11th grade was the turning point for me. That was when i got my, as you described it "Coolness" and i know exactly what you mean by that. I became far far more outspoken and way more confident. Thanks for sharing that with me and yes i think we do have a lot in common.

I knew there had to be more people who came to this country at my age.
Like i said in my original post, I have met older British people that have come here to live with their husbands but never any younger kids. I think people like us that arrived here as youngsters have lived a very unique life. I'm sure you understand and have already thought of that before.

Cheers for the response

veryfunny

Yes, you are not alone, in regards to people poking fun of your accent or British ways, after a while you learn to just ignore it because some people are just plain ignorant.

I do not regret moving over and I made the choice, I can always go back if I get fed up.

Umpatan

But the Pound is falling. The cost of living in the UK is just way too expensive. Cost to wage ratio is too high. It is very difficult to save money in the UK compared to US or Canada.

ChelleyP

I don't see how your reply is relevant to this thread...

meauxna

It's not; that is his habit. Please use the 'report' button so mods know when/where this user is doing this if it is a problem.