Question To The American Expats :-)

[prosperity66]

Hi

My name is Dom, I'm Belgian, living in Belgium.

I currently attend English training courses ; "conversation table" style and last week I had a big argument with our teacher about American expats living in Belgium (those of Nato and other expats). What our teacher told us was a caricature - negative one - and students would make an opinion on false information.

It's a common belief that, in my country, American expats generally live in Waterloo ; which is not entirely false but they also live in other areas of our country.

The teacher told us her husband has been working with American expats and that those expats buy brand new furniture, including wash machine, dish washer, etc. in the USA before moving overseas where they won't be buying nothing.

At first sight, it's also false as I personally think Americans eat and drink and then shop in my country, otherwise they would die of starvation!

Buying in the USA and moving everything abroad is quite expensive. Ok. However, I would like to learn why they buy in the US at the risk of ending up paying too much for things they could find here for a lower price. There is surely a logical reason.

The second stupid thing she told us is that American expats travel to America to see the doctor while Belgium has the most powerful social security system of the world. Is it true? Is it related to the terms of their health insurance?

Also, I don't remember the forum where I've read this, but I remember some US expats told that Big Brother always knows what Americans are doing, how much they earn and, even while they're abroad, Americans still pay taxes in the USA.

Is it true?

If it is, that's for sure the reason why they don't get access to our social security system.

I really need accurate information as I decided to tell the truth about it at our next course (tomorrow). I don't like poeple giving false information and pushing others to hate someone because of ignorance.

Thanks in advance for the replies, if per chance I get some.

And feel free to ask anything you want about life in Belgium, I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you as well as improving my English!

Have a great week,
Dom.

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Dom - and welcome to the forum.

OK, let me assure you that you are right - your teacher was telling you stereotypes about Americans living abroad, though like every stereotype, there is probably a grain of truth in what she says.

>>American expats generally live in Waterloo ; which is not entirely false but they also live in other areas of our country.<<

Interesting - because I know of no Americans living in Waterloo (not that I know every American living in Belgium ). There are American Women's Clubs in Brussels and Antwerp, so I suspect those cities are both candidates for being centers for American expats. Brussels is obviously a big draw for the Americans, due to the international organizations located there. Antwerp seems to be a big industrial center, so plenty of transferees in that area.

>>The teacher told us her husband has been working with American expats and that those expats buy brand new furniture, including wash machine, dish washer, etc. in the USA before moving overseas where they won't be buying nothing.<<

That may have been the case in years past, when big American companies often provided American-style housing (possibly NATO related), but these days they're fools if they do. American houses are much bigger than what you get in most of Europe, so US furniture often doesn't fit in well. (Though if their employer is paying for their move, they'll often bring their own furniture.) Electrical appliances, however, are very different in Europe - and unless they have the house they are living in rewired for 110V current and make adjustments for the plumbing, they'll have real trouble using those fancy new American appliances. US appliances don't heat their own water, so have to be connected to the hot water system - something that isn't normally done in European homes.

What your teacher may be referring to is the practice of many US expats to sell off their appliances when they leave Belgium to go back home - thus some articles of furniture and major appliances circulate within the US expat community for many years.

The other issue is that I believe NATO has its own PX - a special store on post where people can buy food, clothing and other items from "back home". It's similar to a military base in this sense, and some people live off the PX privileges without buying much in the community. But again, they're kind of foolish to do so.

>>American expats travel to America to see the doctor while Belgium has the most powerful social security system of the world. Is it true? Is it related to the terms of their health insurance?<<

Some people do. It depends on their situation vis a vis the Belgian health care system, and their comfort level with the local languages and customs. I think NATO has its own medical system (again, like a military post). But for other people only temporarily in Belgium, they may not be comfortable going to a doctor who may or may not speak English. (Despite what the guide books say, most doctors don't feel comfortable treating someone in a foreign language.) If they still have coverage back home, they may save up their medical problems for their next trip back to the US - simply to have continuity of care with a familiar doctor.

But those who are staying for the long term are usually only covered by the local (i.e. Belgian) system, and they manage to find the services they need. The US health care system is very different from the Belgian one (and MUCH more expensive), and it can take Americans a few years to fully trust it. I have to assume the same is true of Belgians coming to America.

There are different treatments for the same conditions, different medications prescribed for the same illness and very different procedures for seeing a doctor, being referred to a specialist or being admitted to hospital. Plus, I can attest to the fact that it's very difficult to have to deal with a foreign language when you're sick! So it's not so unusual for people to try to stick with the old system they know for as long as they can.

Anyhow - a long answer for a start. Let's see what anyone else has to say.
Cheers,
Bev

[prosperity66]

Hi Bev

Nice to meet you

Thanks for the reply! It's really interesting. As a matter of fact, I never thought about how do expats live in Belgium - except those from the EEC that lived in my grand parent's home.

I grew up with expats so for me it's normal to have them here.

I also have been at school with Waterloo inhabitants and they often told me about the American community of this town. It's really a big one.

Regarding the furniture, a friend of mine has been living in Canada for many years and brought everything back to Belgium as American stuff is TOP quality. She improved her Belgian home in order to get everything working fine. However, my teacher told about this "custom" like if it was protectionnism; not wanting to use things that are from a foreign country even while living in this foreign contry and it is the reason why I didn't accept what she stated.

Well, the European Union employees also have their own store ; we used to shop there when my grand parents rent rooms to European expats, lol. The store closed few years ago and it seems it reopened lately; so, European employees shop there as it's a duty free shop I think and they also are able to find their own food.

Regarding the doctor case, I also think it's normal to visit the doctor in your area as a non English speaking doctor can't help for a serious disease as much as an English speaking one does. But I presume that when having the flu, expats go to see a local doctor - otherwise it would be quite expensive to cure, lol.

Well the whole thread came after we have been talking about a new way to teach foreign languages in England. And so our teacher started treating English-speaking people i.e. their lack of knowledge of foreign languages means lack of culture, closed mind and then moving overseas while bringing all their own stuff, etc.

Making use of stereotypes can be funny when you are telling a joke but I don't like it when it comes to serious things, especially when it comes to teach something to the others.

Well, it's a good start for tomorrow's course, lol.

Hope getting more and more answers.

Have a great day!
Dom.

[ROKZY]

Hi Dom,

Sorry that I can't give any specific's about your area but having recently moved from the US to South Africa, the appliance, health care, stuff ideas are fresh in my mind.

One thing we really had to consider is the voltage and adapters for our electrical appliances. I decided to leave all of my appliances at home, even the hairdryer, and we bought new because of this. I'm not sure of the volatge/electrical plug situation where you are is, but it is something I considered greatly. And your right about shipping, it is very costly. Why would you spend money to ship something that may not even work for the electrical set up of the country you are going to when you could just buy one there?
And doctors, Flying "home" to the US to see a doctor would be very expensive, and with the way airline tickets seats can go, you may not even be able to get a seat for when you would need to travel. For me, it's not even an option. Coinsidently, I needed to find a doctor shortly after moving here ... I was plesed to find one who was very good, much less expensive and very good.


Thanks for fighting stereotypes. It sounds like you are making to world a better place, something good for everyone!

[oeabel]

Dom,

I read your post with interest. I'm an American and I will be moving this summer with my husband and two boys (ages 11 & 14) to Poland. We have been wondering some of these very questions you asked and trying to decide what are the best decisions we can make.

As for the furniture and electronics... We are lucky that my husband's company will be paying to ship over some of our things. I found several website where we can buy converters for everything. It is expensive but if it works for us, I can't see spending more money buying new things. That said, I'm still unsure if this is the best way to do it but it would be cheaper for us in the long run. As for all the furniture, I'm leery of shipping everything over. A lot of what I have is my grandmother's old pieces which is very special to me and I'm afraid of damaging or losing it somewhere along the way so a lot will get stored. In the end, I think we will be shipping a bit of stuff but will end up buying furniture in Warsaw also. It will be something like a 50-50 split for us.

As for a doctor... We will have to find a doctor in Warsaw that speaks English for those unforeseen needs, etc. I won't be able to just fly home specifically for an appointment; but I will go ahead and schedule annual doctor and dentist needs for the summers when we will be back in the states anyway visiting family. However, I also assume that at some point our Polish will be rather good and maybe the language thing won't be such an issue.

Part of the difficulties of moving overseas is trying to figure out how to still have some of the things that we are used to and enjoy while at the same time trying to assimilate into another culture. I don't want to stick out for being "American" and stubbornly hold to my American way of life. Hopefully, we'll find a way to enjoy all the things Poland has to offer while at the same time holding on to a few little things that remind us of home.

Erin