As a first generation immigrant, living in the US for 25 years, I find that Asian Americans and the Asians in Asia have different mindset. My co-worker from Japan was just whispering to me one day (he knew I was from Singapore), asking "hey do you realize that a lot of US infrastructure seems to be stuck in the 1980s"? We both nodded our heads and smiled. Most Americans have never even left their own country, much less been to Asia. If you compare Singapore's International airport with any airport in the US, it would be obvious why we say that the US infrastructure is still stuck in the 80s! If anyone is interested in modern day Asia, you can follow CNA and "CNA Insider" channels on TH-cam which are Singapore productions. Asia has progressed and changed so much in such a short span of time that I now feel like a foreigner whenever I go home.
The thing is that people take their US expat money overseas, and live like a king, but if they were truly born and raised in those countries, especially in rural areas, life would not be so rosy. So we still have to be thankful that we were able to make a living here first before going back "home."
@@letsgowalk Very true, but as a person born in the US I can tell you that for many with this wealth and resources, there is nothing intrinsic about this "fortune". It is merely inertia and some habits that come with that and sometimes not even that. although some are fooled by the way things look. I'am not.
Lived in a few places in the US, ended up in Japan. The mere thought of ever having to live back in the US fills me with gloom. Moving was the best choice I ever made.
Totally feel that way. Asia and SE Asia is catching up to the West, actually, more advance than the West since they have a lot better public transportation so, you're not force to drive everywhere. A decade ago when I travel to Europe, Asia, or anywhere for that matter. I couldn't wait to go back home to America. For the past four years, I've travelled and spend a month in East and SE Asia and I get depressed when I come back home to this 3rd world country (USA) lol. Especially compared to China, I feel like I'm going back 30 years in time. Every year when I go to SE Asia, there's a new mall, or a train station, or high speed rail line that wasn't there the previous year. I'm from Colorado, for those who live here will know that quarter mile road from Mineral to C470 has been under construction for 2.5 years, it's just expanding the road, and it's just a 1/4 mile. China would have build an airport in that time frame. lol. I used to get insulted when someone tells me to, "Go back to China!" Now it seems like such a great suggestion. lol. This country is a sinking ship, the political divide, road rage, crime, etc. People in East and SE Asia are genuinely happy. People are so nice to each other, pretty much zero crime. I don't feel in danger when I walk out at night by myself. The food is amazing, the culture is more aligned with mine. Can't wait to leave the USA and retire in Thailand.
@Normalman777q, different strokes for different folks. I spend a lot of time in Europe, especially in London since my dad's side of the family are all from there. You can't walk 24/7 in London or Paris without getting robbed or assaulted. Old buildings don't impressed me. What is impressive is high speed rail going 600kph, sky trains, very modern infrastructures, flying cars being tested in Shenzhen. Getting my food delivered by a drone whilst in the park. Hopping on a taxi w/o a driver. Basically, I like living in the future and not in the past.
@Normalman777q, I'm from the Suburbs of Colorado. I used to like the peace and quiet but for the last few years. I've learned to love the excitement of the major cities. Not Western cities, too many homeless and crime but love the excitement of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Singapore, KL, Bangkok, Hanoi, the list goes on and on. Only in Eastern countries where I feel safe, no one screaming racial slurs, and just absolutely love the cheap and good food there. I can't eat Western food for more than two days in a row so no European or Western countries for me.
Hawaii is turning into a sh1thole like the mainland, no thanks. I used to travel there once a year, a week in Hawaii cost more than three weeks in SE Asia for a family of five. The food in SE Asia is a dollar or two and so much better. A food truck cost $20 a plate and they expect tip.
@@careylee1755Just visited Big Island and absolutely loved it! Very laid back and beautiful place. I never plan on visiting Oahu though from all the horror stories i’ve heard.
A few months ago, I was on vacation in Malaysia and met some American expats who weren’t of Asian descent. Even they said they don't want to return to the U.S.
I’m a Viet Kieu, came to the US when I was just 2 years old….came back to Vietnam 20 years later and has been traveling back often since…..every time I come back to the USA I become depressed after awhile and always look forward my next trip next year 😅
Start a weight loss business for overweight Americans. The business could do very well with so many Asian girls that want to date or marry Americans. Just go with the trend don't fight it. You can charge monthly fees for weight loss in exotic locations around South East Asia. Farmers get overweight obese 300 pound help to lift heavy duty tropical fruits for export.
@xdgs - There's a guy, Peter from "Broke the Habit", who is a VK. He grew up in Canada and now lives in Saigon. He moved just a few months ago and is still finding his way. Let's see if he stays for long or if he'll return to the West. He posts interviews about other VKs - you might find his vids interesting.
I feel the same way. As an ABC, semi-annual trips back to the Sinosphere are a must (especially mother HK, Taiwan, and Japan). Each and every time I return, I experience severe withdrawals, already planning my next adventure, and possibly even thinking about moving over there. The depression period coincides with the jetlag, making things doubly worse. Fortunately for me, I live near an enclave (but not directly inside of it), so I typically just hang out in the Chinese plazas, restaurants, and boba shops as much as I can. I also speak to the staff in as much Cantonese and Mandarin as possible, and pretty much surround myself around Chinese people all day to cure my withdrawals.
I absolutely loved this topic of discussion. I sometimes wish that my mom had never moved me from South Korea to America when I was a kid. We went through so much discrimination and for what?!! I would’ve been perfectly happy growing up there. My mom used to be a confident and outspoken lady when she was in Korea. When I faced any sort of injustice at school she was there in my classroom the next day speaking to the teacher and standing up for me. I never once saw that side of her since we’ve moved to the states. If anything she always looked so powerless and afraid and it makes me sad to think about it even now.
I felt the same way. I am quite old, and 30 years ago, the USA was the best place for immigration. It was the wealthiest country with good social infrastructure and plenty of goods to buy. However, I now have my doubts. While it still remains one of the richest countries, the infrastructure has deteriorated, and safety is a concern with many junkies and homeless people around. Even though I can earn more money in the USA, the cost of living, including housing prices, is exorbitantly high, yet the quality is not proportionate. In Korea, even if I earn half the money, I can enjoy a much better quality of life in a safe environment, with fast and cheap delivery systems that bring everything from food to other goods to my door within 30 minutes. Everything is cleaner and more organized than in the USA. I no longer see any reason to live in the USA, so I moved back a few years ago and have never regretted my decision. One downside of living in East Asia is the intense competition in every aspect of life, especially for getting a job and working here is more like grinding myself, but aside from that, I enjoy being back.
I feel the same. Mother from hong kong emmigrated to france, where I grew up in a china town asian community only (going to mandarin chinese course each saturday, chinese church each sunday etc). Each time I go to hong kong, I feel at home but a foreigner at the same time, and it's weird because I speak cantonese with my cousins and aunties. So strange man to be in this situation. I feel isolated. I miss being with other asian, especially cantonese, hong kongers
I'm a SoCal Asian. Spent 3 week in the motherland and while I had fun, I was so ready to be back HOME. I found the cultural nuances and expectations too stuffy.
I'm from Burma (Myanmar) originally and migrated to the states 4 years ago. I truly miss my country but NO, i don't wanna go back there to live. I'm just grateful that I could live without the fear that I used to have in my own country. And I am doing whatever I can to survive in this American society. One thing I would say is that I learned how to be myself around different people and I don't give a f*** about them, it helps me a lot.
@jingambit my mum is from Myanmar ( she came to UK in 1968) , even thought i was born in UK , I still feel like an alien . I defiantly have an identity crisis 😵.
@@greendragonspirit1646have you visited Myanmar? If not, then I suggest that you do. Even if they're in a civil war, some areas are safe for tourists - I've seen several vloggers go there recently. Just stick to the tourist sites which are safe, like Yangon. If it's safe to go to your mum's hometown, then find your relatives. It's good to connect with your roots. I'm half Asian/ Asian but grew up in my dad's country. I travelled to my mom's country for the 1st time when I was in my 20s. (didn't visit earlier due to financials) Since then, I've gone several times & have visited the rellies. The visits have helped me understand my mom more and helped me find my identity too. Good luck!
@@greendragonspirit1646I suggest to visit Myanmar and reconnect with your roots (if you haven't done so). You should be safe in the touristy areas like Yangon - I've seen some vloggers go there recently. Ask your mum about her hometown & research if it's safe to go there, so that you can see your relatives. (but safety first - some areas are no go zones for tourists since there's fighting). Good luck.
I wonder how she would feel after living in Asia where she would need to adapt to the culture. A lot of cultures in most Asian Countries are quite traditional and expectations to adhere to them becomes stifling. Growing up in the US ...yes you sometimes feel you don't belong but on the other hand visiting some Asian countries for an extended period of time ... I sometimes I feel like I don't belong either because some tell me I have what they call an Americanized attitude.
As a Cambodian I think that Richmond, VA is a great enclave. Plenty of Southeast Asians and East Asians. There are even some South Asians. The restaurants are family-owned and authentic, and you get those 200-300 person Asian gatherings and weddings (the kind where if somebody goes to go yours then you have to go to theirs). There’s a real sense of community among Asians there.
@@education.eclectic Damn. I’ve never had that issue. To be fair though I’d only ever lived been around the Asian communities of the town though. The biggest beefs I’ve seen were just street Cambos and Viets vs Chinese people. But even then it wasn’t too often.
@@Nara.Shikamaru I've definitely seen the Southeast Asian beef with Chinese while living here in DC for sure. Also Koreans beef with all other Asians around here for some reason.
Be proud to be American but also be proud of your heritage/ancestry. Do positive things and be true to your values. When I was growing up in England I was made to feel inferior and I hated my heritage. I didn’t understand then. I am proud of being English yet I am also extremely proud of my Chinese heritage. Some haters in the west will try to put you down and make make you inferior; but you are not. Chinese people will never think themselves superior. They just want to be treated fairly. The mainland Chinese has shown you they are not inferior. So any Asians who live in the west; continue to be positive and never feel inferior.
So glad I stumbled across you guys! As an Asian American that didn't grow up with much of my Asian family to influence (mostly raised by the Caucasian half), I've always felt a deep connection to Asian culture and as I'm getting older, I want to connect more with my Asian side. So although I've never visited the Asian countries I have an interest in, I can partially relate to the "I feel like I belong in Asia" bit.
I've been to China and the layout or map if you will is just so much more stimulating. The environment itself is more stimulating with respect to all 5 senses, the colors, lights, busy streets, the frenetic bobbing and weaving through markets and streets, vendors hawking their wares, motorbikes zipping everywhere, the mix between contemporary and ancient structures, the smell of spices, choudofu, and cigarettes. I swear I wrote 3/4 of this, rhyming just by thinking about the time I spent there. Comparatively the US can seem drab although it has it's own beauty.
Part 2 Spent a year in China while in medschool in 85' and have gone back about 15x's . Next trip is this October. To date have visited 17 of 23 provinces with 6 more to go. I have a love-hate relationship but throughout the years have become much more understanding and mature about the situation. Besides, one can see changes in real time.
I just got back from an extended trip to China visiting multiple provinces (including Xinjiang), and it was quite an eye opening experience indeed! It truly made me appreciate my heritage even more.
I am not Asian-American, but I am Mexican-American and I know the feeling of of going back to your parents motherland and that’s how it feel in Mexico 🇲🇽 and when ever I go when people ask why don’t you like speaking English there? I responded with I am taking a vacation from “Gringolandia” and don’t want to go to those fake tourist resorts where the gringos are and would rather chop it up with fellow Mexicans instead! I get it!
I've watched some clips of Lejuan James and even though I can only understand a few words of Spanish, I enjoy his vids. Mexican culture (or Latino culture in general) seems so fun. 👍 I understood when you said that you wanted to have a respite from Gringolandia.
Midwest may not be interested for other Asian Americans, but for the Hmong, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are popular within their community. For other Asians ethnic, they may feel a little out of place, but as a Hmong, there are Mall of America, Hmong Village, Hmong mall, Hmong academic schools to politicians to businesses to sports, etc. During July 4th, there's a sport event like a mini Olympic held every year besides just the Hmong New Year festivals. Hmong even have a Hmong day in remembrance of the Hmong sacrificed and fought alongside the United States during the Vietnam War. Other than that, traveling overseas, of course, it is always like home. Just gotta be able to step outside your comfort zone and try to fit in.
@@AhamdMushaffa even some Malays and Indians speak both languages. In Malaysia there are Chinese medium schools where the language of instruction is Mandarin and some Malays and Indians send their children to these schools. Mind you in Malaysia the Chinese dominate the private sector. If you want to make a living and you live in Kuala Lumpur you better learn these 2 languages.
That's really interesting given that Chinese in Southeast Asia originate from mostly Southern China. Which means they were originally speaking non-Chinese languages around 2,000-2,500 years ago.
I would agree your gender makes a difference in whether you'd like living in Asia. What I observed is that Asian American women tend to feel more positively about being in Asia is because many cities are safe. You can easily walk alone at night feeling safe most of the time. As opposed to men may have less concerns about their physical safety.
Would recommend Taiwan. Same language if you speak Chinese. Also low cost of living/ high quality of life. Nationalized high quality healthcare. And it's a democracy/ no internet firewall
I've lived in the states my entire life and I've never felt like it was my home. It always feels like I'm a square peg trying to fit into a circle hole and I'm tired of it. Trying to learn how to speak Korean so I can live there. My white friends say it's racist that I think like this yet they themselves mainly hang out with white people so I find it pretty hypocritical of them to say that.
omg i just came back from bangladesh and i felt the exact same way!! i live in california, one of the most diverse and racially progressive states there is, yet i still felt like a foreigner for the first time. and it all has to do with what this user 0:23 said: "i feel like americas can be pretty fluffy-nice and it feels so fake. but people in malaysia were so nice but also direct without the fluff. i miss it" i can't stand fake behavior more than i can't stand people who are openly rude. at least with the latter, i know they don't like me and can easily differentiate that from those who genuinely love and support me. with the former, i have to deal with overthinking and interpretations that leave me spiraling. and i end up adopting those fake behaviors too from time to time. and i've had enough. if you don't like me, just let me know and be done with it. don't keep me at arms length distance, but also not have the balls to just tell me what you're really thinking. in the states, we have a lot of pretenders and that just made me more depressed and lonely than being surrounded by 5+ "friends". (one last note) i actually passed through the middle-east as i was on my way back to bangladesh. stayed in arabia for two weeks. true, not everyone is kind and soft-spoken. i saw verbal fights happen around me from time to time and sometimes people were not considerate to me either. it was irksome, but i felt it was fair, because at least i knew what they were thinking. i didnt have a debate going on in my head like, "does this person hate me? maybe. idk. it's so hard to tell". conversely, when people came to me and were very pleasant, i didnt feel i was being manipulated. i felt they were genuinely interested! because if they weren't, they would have just come up to me and told me to **** off from the start. so that made my life a lot easier, actually. i didn't go out of my way to provoke anyone, but sometimes people just didn't like me for something i was unaware of and i appreciated the honesty.
Grew up outside of STL in a small college town of 15K during the 70's and was graduated from HS in 81'. There were a total of about 5 Chinese families all of whom were faculty at the same university. There was only one African American family who was employed by the university but was not faculty. Most all the ABC's were at the top of their classes, subsequently going to medical school with the rest engineers. I never felt part of the community and got my share of racial epithets. After medschool in KC, I couldn't wait to flee and ended up at UCLA for residency and ultimately fellowship. Took my first job and landed in San Diego for the last 30 years. I can relate totally to the "Yellow Spot" in a see of "White." No regrets and no longer have any relatives in the Midwest. They all moved out to Southern California. Wonder Why???? 🤣😂🤣😂
Thanks for your post. Suddenly, I remembered the film Fargo, and imagined how an Asian would feel in that "sea of white". Yah! 😅 I'm not surprised that your relatives eventually transferred to SoCal.
Typing this as an Asian who's lived more than half his life in America, and is now trying to live in Asia (right now in Korea). I can definitely say that I empathize with those who have the same sentiment.
I'm hapa (korean/white) and thinking about moving to Korea, do you think that's a good idea? I've never felt like the US was my home and it only gets worse as I get older.
@@Ostnizdasht206 Full disclosure, I'm not ethnically Korean so your mileage may vary. Being able to speak Korean goes a LONG way in making your life better in Korea for sure, since Koreans already have a predisposed notion of viewing even hapas as "outsiders". Not that they necessarily discriminate against you, but I've definitely felt that Koreans Koreans are different than Koreans interacting with literally anyone else. For better, or worse. You may feel that Korea feels more like home if I had to guess. But, in the same breath, I think you'd soon find out that Korea may not be the exact fit home you're looking for because of this. Still, by all means, like the guys said in this video, you're free to--and should--try at least once if you can.
@@Ostnizdasht206 I think you'd feel better there as long as it is not for good, let's just say Korea and Japan both have nasty sides to them, you'll actually feel more at home in China or Singapore as a hapa korean, if it was possible Singapore is your best bet, the rest of Asia is also great depending on how white you look or hor racially ambiguous you look, I'm half Chinese half Filipino, I'm more comfortable interacting with Filipinos due to the language because I don't speak Chinese but because I look physically Chinese, I am always seen as the other or as foreign but not so if I'm in Northeast asia or Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are so-so places where you can probably pass as a local, in there I feel more like one of them when walking in the streets so it gives a different sense of comfort even if the language barrier is something to worry about. If just for vacation, Korea is great but not for living there, a lot of Koreans are actually living in southeastern asia for a reason, even they feel their homeland is too much, and they get used to the slow life with less stress here even if it comes with a sense of otherness.
@@Ostnizdasht206I feel that it also depends on your age. Are you near retirement or are you still in "prime working age"? If you're intending to retire there, then research on their visa options - how long can you stay on tourist visa or if they have retirement visas. If you're still young, then research on job options (and work visas) or being a digital nomad (and digital nomad visa). This goes for any country, not just for Korea. If you intend to move for retirement, consider other countries like TH, Malaysia, VN, etc where cost of living is lower and where you can pass for a local (if you are Korean).
1.How good is your Korean? If you speak fluently, your stay will be much more enjoyable. Most locals here don’t speak English fluently. 2.Are you set in what career you want to take? Like other countries - jobs are scarce here, and unless you speak Korean the choices will be even smaller. 3. Are you a dual citizen? This will make the legal stuff much easier - no need for a visa obviously. 4.Are you thick skinned? Koreans are of two extremes : either really nice or brutally ‘mean’. We are very generous with food and are quick to help our close friends and families. However we can be a bit too honest on things Americans would not (looks for example).
@@futo cmon can’t be that bad. I have a friend who’s Chinese, Brunei mixed he grow up there and still lives there and enjoys living there. Isn’t Toronto and Vancouver full of crime, homelessness, and expensive cost of living?
@@tzenzhongguo well, everybody situation is different too, yes Toronto and Vancouver have their fair share of crimes, but so does Edmonton...it's sometime people's encounters. I didn't quite like it when I use to live in downtown area. The big plus is Edmonton is considerable more affordable than Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary when it comes to owning a place. Job wise, well, the other three mention along with Kitchener and Ottawa is where all the better jobs are. btw, how did you pinpoint Edmonton?
Also if you want to change the fishbowl do it before you get married. I wished that I had moved to either California or back to South Korea when I was still in my twenties. Anyway, this is the only channel where I read other people’s comments and it is so awesome knowing what other Asian Americans are really thinking.
Born in Van. Lived in HK for seven years. Then moved back to Van, with fairly regular visits back to HK/Asia still. How do I feel? That neither place has it all but being Canadian Asian, there’s probably no better mix of places to be from. When in HK for too long, I miss Van (good air, space, my car, lack of heat etc). When in Van for too long, I miss Asia (food, shopping, some of the man-made attractions). Push me to chose one, and that depends on stage of life. Younger, go Asia. But thinking of starting family, back to Van. In retirement? Half-half.
Sounds like your still in your bliss of traveling, then go back and live there for a year and feel it out if you want to live there. I did that and I was in Southeast asia and I felt it wasn't for me and came back to America. My reason might be different from yours to come back home to America but you have to do it to know it. I will still visit because I have family back there but I know I will not move and live there forever.
I meet a lot of Asian Americans in my time in Asia. Most white expats enjoyed their "othering" because it was often positive attention. There were some of those among Asian Americans as well who liked to flaunt their passport so to speak. But overal most of them seemed to enjoy blending in. Although some were also treated quite harshly when they failed to live up to the local standards.
I'm going through something similar. I'm Chinese in Hungary (Europe), lived here for almost 30 years, have no accent whatsoever in both languages. Planning to go to China for a year, and see what happens.
I feel that. In some ways Guatemala felt like home, but can't anywhere be home if you find the right city ? (Also, I'm not Asian American, I'm not even American 😂 but I just like your videos..)
It’s always a little depressing to come back 😅 We spent a month in Korea, Japan, and Singapore this summer. But there are some conveniences in the US too.
I'm a Malaysian, after 11 years here in NYC, and went back a few times for vacation all this while...and yes, i'll never come back to the US for my very next visit ❤🇲🇾🫶💪
As long as you don’t have to work in HK, Taiwan, Japan, SK or any East Asian countries, and you have plenty of money to be financially independent, just visit and play, it’s great, absolutely amazing.
I am a 1st Gen ABC / Gen X, and already discovered this early on, moved to Asia in late 90s, and never looked back. Still love traveling to KR/JP/Taiwan/SGP/HKG, and dont feel the need to be back in US.
You can say you don't feel so othered, but you can also say you feel belonged. It's good to feel belonged. Your parents or grand parents left Asia because it was harsh times. People leave the West now also due to harsh times. We are entering Asian Century. Life is short, feel good about yourselves.
I think a lot of people in America grow up in an Asian bubble whether its in the suburbs or chinatowns, then when they leave that bubble they feel they don't fit in.
Champaign-Urbana (University of Illinois) has the largest population of Chinese students in the US along with many Koreans & Indians. University of Illinois is a top engineering school. Lots of Asians for the Midwest.
You feel more of yourself and free when you are with your own culture. You don't feel like you have to conform to the other culture that you're with and worry about what people think of you.
I miss had the opposite effect on me. This other feeling is a double edged sword. Go there, you’re no one special. Most American Asians fully embrace the diverse culture of America. It’s a part of who we are and it’s an amazing feeling being Asian even though we have our issues in the states
I implore anybody who hasn't spent at least a year in their native land to teach English or work in some capacity there. Otherwise, as an Asian American you will be lost in self identity. Living in Koreatown or other enclaves of America won't do. You have to live in their environment and also speak their language would be even better.
Almost every major usa city is a shithole, any asian city would feel a lot more comfortable 😂 Would rather live in a rural surrounded by 5 amish and 30 cows then ever live in nyc or San Francisco ever again
Funny how I as a Chinese Filipino also feel more comfortable and at home in Northeast Asia especially in China like in Macau or even in Chinese majority Singapore, I don't feel like I'm other, I am more at peace at being the same as the majority, even within Asia, there is this feeling, for a Filipino, he or she would be more at home in most southeast Asian country than in China or Korea. People tend to lump east Asians together but it is like lumping Europeans and North Africans/west Asians together. In fact some northeast Asians would actually feel more at home in the West than in more tropical southeast Asian countries, societies in the same latitude tend to be more alike due to weather and interactions, of course diasporas and spheres of influence would make this difference or alienness less daunting, so for a Chinese American, Malaysia with their large Chinese diaspora makes it more appealing but China or Taiwan or Macau or HK or even Singapore would be even more appealing, places where Chinese Americans would feel most at home.
Asia was mostly 3rd world a generation or 2 ago. In modern cities, an Asian would feel much more at home than in the west, especially if there isn't a language barrier.
I'm an Asian who grew up in the Mid-West, MN to be exact and I've been back to Asian countries. I enjoyed my time there but I prefer living in MN or other states here in the US. But I understand why some Asian Americans who don't feel like they belong here and wants to move back to Asia. And David, we eat regular foods here in the Mid-West just like every one else in the country. Come to Minneapolis or some other Mid-West states, sounds like you guys think we in the Mid-West are some sort of aliens or something. 😂
OP is probably experiencing a couple things: 1) vacation withdrawals, and 2) dissatisfaction with her current environment having recently and immediately compared it to (what seemed like) a better existence. At least she was able to admit it to herself, which is the first step toward identifying a longer-term solution. If I were her, I'd hold onto those feelings for a while and see where they led me. If they continue, I might not take such drastic measures as moving to Malaysia, since there are still lots of benefits to living Stateside. Fung Bros are correct that she probably just needs to look at opportunities and demographics in another part of North America. (Note: I said North America, not necessarily the US -- Vancouver and Toronto have a lot to offer.) She will find her way, but it has to start with self honesty and facing fear head on. Good luck to her and to everyone who is struggling with this.
Personally Ive moved back to CN, at least for the short term. If youve been thinking about it, give it a try! You always have the option to go back if you want.
Fung bros summed it up pretty accurately. Get out of the midwest and go West. The truth is if you grew up speaking english in a western culture and are maybe even half-asian, you may never feel the full sense of belonging in Asia either. However, on the west coast and Hawaii where there are large Asian-American communities, you will find that sense of belonging.
OP's post is just one side of it, though. There's also stories of Asian Americans that travel back to the motherland and report feeling ostracized because the locals could instantly tell that they grew up as a Westerner. And gender definitely plays a big role here. Let's be honest: it's much easier for a woman to find some sense of belonging wherever she goes, but the same can't be said about men. How the person feels culturally is also an important factor. Someone who grew up in the Midwest as an Asian may or may not feel connected to their community depending on their upbringing. If they had a negative experience, removing themselves from that environment might make them feel better compared to if they were completely assimilated and had a thriving social circle where they never felt othered. Race and culture are not always intertwined because one's immediate surroundings can greatly influence their worldview. Yeah, a person's temperament doesn't change just by relocating, but it can provide an opportunity to start anew while leaving all their baggage from the past behind.
I haven't finished the video yet (and maybe this topic will be discussed at a later point in the video), but a big part of the reason that I would feel guilty moving back to Asia (even though I prefer it to the US) is that my parents are immigrants and it would feel like I am undoing all of their hard work by moving back. They sacrificed the comfort of staying in their homeland to come to a foreign land, and I wouldn't want to make all of their sacrifices be for naught. The struggles and sacrifices they made would be all for nothing if I just moved back to Asia. Also, I'm worried about what my family back in Asia would think if I just moved back. Would they think that I only moved back because I couldn't build a happy life in America? It's a sunk cost fallacy. I've already invested so much time into building my life in America, and even though I am deeply unhappy with my life, I feel like I should just continue to live here just because I don't want to lose the time I've already invested. It's like when a couple wants to get divorced, but they choose to stay in a marriage because they have been together for decades. The grass is not necessarily greener, but I've been watering my lawn for decades.
I moved to the Midwest happy to stay here. Screw Cali. Taiwan & Japan are great to visit. But the U.S. will always be my home. Looking forward to visit Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.
@@hsuehhs1 because the CcP and the PLA said so.🤣🤣🤣 Read carefully I never said that. There’s a period after Cali and I begin a new sentence with Taiwan.
Made in USA (California) but have travelled to Japan, Malaysia, China,, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. I really enjoy traveling to Asia and I do feel at home in most of the Asia countries. But I do get home sick because in California we have a lot of Asian people here, better weather, more freedom and opportunity. I can live in America and Japan or Thailand. If I have to pick I would stay here in California because there are lots of Asian culture here. -=)
I agree! I'm in the same boat as you, and despite all of the issues we have here in California, there is no place like home! I dabbled with moving abroad, but in this day and age of remote work, I figured just going over there for extended periods, while keeping my home base in California is the way to go!
@@rmwarriors16 I left Cali only will visit now once a year. I only miss the good Asian food and other ethnic foods. But I sure as hell don’t miss the crime, high cost of living, high gas prices, and the restrictions on guns.
I feel the same. Truthfully if I ever become fluent in Japanese I’d strongly consider moving there. At least for a year. Perhaps it sounds a little silly, but I’ve always felt a kinship between the Mexicans (which I am) and the Japanese. Not to mention my hometown has the highest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam itself.
I am not racist, but this is my theory. As a Mexican with Native roots, each "race" feels at peace where nature intended them to be. I have AMERICAN blood/ DNA so whenever I travel within this continent, I feel at home, and I feel deep connection to the woods, beaches, mountains, and so forth. That is, this is our mother land, and this is our home, and my spirit feels like if my forefathers have hunted these lands for eons.
it depends, I would assume alot of Asians also cant stand being in their own country knowing their cultures. I have couple of chinese american friends who hate China becuz they aren't Chinese chinese or chinese enough. Then I have a korean friend who hates the Korean respecting elder bs and the way you have to speak to them. like you guys said too tho some of them said its so weird to naturally blend in with the crowd as everyone looks the same as asian and when they are back in the states it feels weird.
In about 20 years time when China GDP per capita is about developed country level, believe me, a lot of overseas Chinese would want to move to China, including those Chinese who were born and grew up in the west. Just look at what the Japanese did, there is a wave of going back to japan in recent 20 years, these are the Japanese people who immigrate after the Second World War but as soon as Japan became a developed place, Japanese tend to move back to their homeland
Maybe it's difficult, because these former colony countries have very soft, permissive culture, where people can almost impose their own culture. So it's better to go to Asia, where the people have a real identity and hardened cultural rules(?)
This did not age well... Most Malaysians Malay are boycotting America so anything related to America is actually looked down upon not up here, as a Malaysian Chinese we don't care about designer or brand names and we buy stuff based on value, don't lump us with China Rich Chinese
So I'm trying to make some passive income before moving to Asia. Food there is healthier. The only person holding you back is yourself. I plan to move either ho chi minh or Thailand. I feel thailand is more for me plus there are teaching jobs that pays well. You can try to find work at embassy.
As a first generation immigrant, living in the US for 25 years, I find that Asian Americans and the Asians in Asia have different mindset. My co-worker from Japan was just whispering to me one day (he knew I was from Singapore), asking "hey do you realize that a lot of US infrastructure seems to be stuck in the 1980s"? We both nodded our heads and smiled. Most Americans have never even left their own country, much less been to Asia. If you compare Singapore's International airport with any airport in the US, it would be obvious why we say that the US infrastructure is still stuck in the 80s!
If anyone is interested in modern day Asia, you can follow CNA and "CNA Insider" channels on TH-cam which are Singapore productions. Asia has progressed and changed so much in such a short span of time that I now feel like a foreigner whenever I go home.
I moved to Korea 30 years ago after growing up in the U.S., and while it's been a rollercoaster ride, I can't imagine living in the U.S. again.
The thing is that people take their US expat money overseas, and live like a king, but if they were truly born and raised in those countries, especially in rural areas, life would not be so rosy. So we still have to be thankful that we were able to make a living here first before going back "home."
Yeah example is the Philippines, expats say its nice place to live but locals are struggling just to get out of that shthole.
@@letsgowalk Very true, but as a person born in the US I can tell you that for many with this wealth and resources, there is nothing intrinsic about this "fortune". It is merely inertia and some habits that come with that and sometimes not even that. although some are fooled by the way things look. I'am not.
if they want to move back they should bring back all assets and give up citizenship, so the home country would prospect, otherwise deport
Lived in a few places in the US, ended up in Japan. The mere thought of ever having to live back in the US fills me with gloom. Moving was the best choice I ever made.
Totally feel that way. Asia and SE Asia is catching up to the West, actually, more advance than the West since they have a lot better public transportation so, you're not force to drive everywhere. A decade ago when I travel to Europe, Asia, or anywhere for that matter. I couldn't wait to go back home to America. For the past four years, I've travelled and spend a month in East and SE Asia and I get depressed when I come back home to this 3rd world country (USA) lol. Especially compared to China, I feel like I'm going back 30 years in time. Every year when I go to SE Asia, there's a new mall, or a train station, or high speed rail line that wasn't there the previous year. I'm from Colorado, for those who live here will know that quarter mile road from Mineral to C470 has been under construction for 2.5 years, it's just expanding the road, and it's just a 1/4 mile. China would have build an airport in that time frame. lol. I used to get insulted when someone tells me to, "Go back to China!" Now it seems like such a great suggestion. lol. This country is a sinking ship, the political divide, road rage, crime, etc. People in East and SE Asia are genuinely happy. People are so nice to each other, pretty much zero crime. I don't feel in danger when I walk out at night by myself. The food is amazing, the culture is more aligned with mine. Can't wait to leave the USA and retire in Thailand.
@Normalman777q, different strokes for different folks. I spend a lot of time in Europe, especially in London since my dad's side of the family are all from there. You can't walk 24/7 in London or Paris without getting robbed or assaulted. Old buildings don't impressed me. What is impressive is high speed rail going 600kph, sky trains, very modern infrastructures, flying cars being tested in Shenzhen. Getting my food delivered by a drone whilst in the park. Hopping on a taxi w/o a driver. Basically, I like living in the future and not in the past.
@Normalman777q, I'm from the Suburbs of Colorado. I used to like the peace and quiet but for the last few years. I've learned to love the excitement of the major cities. Not Western cities, too many homeless and crime but love the excitement of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Singapore, KL, Bangkok, Hanoi, the list goes on and on. Only in Eastern countries where I feel safe, no one screaming racial slurs, and just absolutely love the cheap and good food there. I can't eat Western food for more than two days in a row so no European or Western countries for me.
I did the next best thing. I moved to Hawaii. Asian culture is dominant there.
She #emilieyoung Samantha Dakota coughed on thyroids covid
Doesn't Hawaii have a huge meth problem though? I read it has the highest number of meth users per capita.
Hawaii is turning into a sh1thole like the mainland, no thanks. I used to travel there once a year, a week in Hawaii cost more than three weeks in SE Asia for a family of five. The food in SE Asia is a dollar or two and so much better. A food truck cost $20 a plate and they expect tip.
@@xuimod I am on the Big Island. Higher crime and overcrowding is on Oahu which I avoid visiting.
@@careylee1755Just visited Big Island and absolutely loved it! Very laid back and beautiful place. I never plan on visiting Oahu though from all the horror stories i’ve heard.
A few months ago, I was on vacation in Malaysia and met some American expats who weren’t of Asian descent. Even they said they don't want to return to the U.S.
West is cooked as the kids say.
If you travel to other Asian countries, you’ll meet more of them!
@@daisyliu7247 Some of them complain about immigration and are immigrants themselves.
@@AnimeArchaeologistthat’s the case everywhere
I’m a Viet Kieu, came to the US when I was just 2 years old….came back to Vietnam 20 years later and has been traveling back often since…..every time I come back to the USA I become depressed after awhile and always look forward my next trip next year 😅
Start a weight loss business for overweight Americans. The business could do very well with so many Asian girls that want to date or marry Americans. Just go with the trend don't fight it. You can charge monthly fees for weight loss in exotic locations around South East Asia. Farmers get overweight obese 300 pound help to lift heavy duty tropical fruits for export.
Vietnam is so much fun. I went last year, and it was a memorable trip for sure.
@xdgs - There's a guy, Peter from "Broke the Habit", who is a VK. He grew up in Canada and now lives in Saigon. He moved just a few months ago and is still finding his way. Let's see if he stays for long or if he'll return to the West. He posts interviews about other VKs - you might find his vids interesting.
I feel the same way. As an ABC, semi-annual trips back to the Sinosphere are a must (especially mother HK, Taiwan, and Japan). Each and every time I return, I experience severe withdrawals, already planning my next adventure, and possibly even thinking about moving over there.
The depression period coincides with the jetlag, making things doubly worse.
Fortunately for me, I live near an enclave (but not directly inside of it), so I typically just hang out in the Chinese plazas, restaurants, and boba shops as much as I can. I also speak to the staff in as much Cantonese and Mandarin as possible, and pretty much surround myself around Chinese people all day to cure my withdrawals.
Glad to know I’m not alone in feeling this way
I too feel that Asia is where I belong.
Different thyroids vs Dakota
I absolutely loved this topic of discussion. I sometimes wish that my mom had never moved me from South Korea to America when I was a kid. We went through so much discrimination and for what?!! I would’ve been perfectly happy growing up there. My mom used to be a confident and outspoken lady when she was in Korea. When I faced any sort of injustice at school she was there in my classroom the next day speaking to the teacher and standing up for me. I never once saw that side of her since we’ve moved to the states. If anything she always looked so powerless and afraid and it makes me sad to think about it even now.
Our parents didn’t realize that to be fair. I’m in the same boat.
I was born in USA. Asian American here. Went to Thailand, i want to live there. I had a great time in Thailand.
i relocated from SH China to Thailand and it was the right choice
@@psforever8888 lucky. :) great place to live. So lively and just lots of things to do.
@@niamtxiv affordable, friendly and polite ppl, tropical climate, great infra, good food, cute girls, ton of expat communities. can't complaint lol
I know a Hmong when I see one lol
A lot of people have the same sentiment - but never actually end up staying there forever..
I feel the same. I'm a guy and i always feel so warm and comfortable when i go to Asia. You don't have to worry about racism or discrimination.
I felt the same way. I am quite old, and 30 years ago, the USA was the best place for immigration. It was the wealthiest country with good social infrastructure and plenty of goods to buy. However, I now have my doubts. While it still remains one of the richest countries, the infrastructure has deteriorated, and safety is a concern with many junkies and homeless people around. Even though I can earn more money in the USA, the cost of living, including housing prices, is exorbitantly high, yet the quality is not proportionate.
In Korea, even if I earn half the money, I can enjoy a much better quality of life in a safe environment, with fast and cheap delivery systems that bring everything from food to other goods to my door within 30 minutes. Everything is cleaner and more organized than in the USA. I no longer see any reason to live in the USA, so I moved back a few years ago and have never regretted my decision.
One downside of living in East Asia is the intense competition in every aspect of life, especially for getting a job and working here is more like grinding myself, but aside from that, I enjoy being back.
“Safe environment” is something that the US lacks these days. I felt safer in south east Asia slums than in Los Angeles 😂
@@quietrio Yes, as they say, make expat money in Asia. Don't work for the companies there. ☠️
I feel the same. Mother from hong kong emmigrated to france, where I grew up in a china town asian community only (going to mandarin chinese course each saturday, chinese church each sunday etc). Each time I go to hong kong, I feel at home but a foreigner at the same time, and it's weird because I speak cantonese with my cousins and aunties. So strange man to be in this situation. I feel isolated. I miss being with other asian, especially cantonese, hong kongers
Me too, you’re not alone in feeling this way.
that's how most or many Asian Americans feel anyways
I'm a SoCal Asian. Spent 3 week in the motherland and while I had fun, I was so ready to be back HOME. I found the cultural nuances and expectations too stuffy.
I'm from Burma (Myanmar) originally and migrated to the states 4 years ago. I truly miss my country but NO, i don't wanna go back there to live. I'm just grateful that I could live without the fear that I used to have in my own country. And I am doing whatever I can to survive in this American society. One thing I would say is that I learned how to be myself around different people and I don't give a f*** about them, it helps me a lot.
@jingambit my mum is from Myanmar ( she came to UK in 1968) , even thought i was born in UK , I still feel like an alien . I defiantly have an identity crisis 😵.
@@greendragonspirit1646have you visited Myanmar? If not, then I suggest that you do. Even if they're in a civil war, some areas are safe for tourists - I've seen several vloggers go there recently. Just stick to the tourist sites which are safe, like Yangon. If it's safe to go to your mum's hometown, then find your relatives. It's good to connect with your roots.
I'm half Asian/ Asian but grew up in my dad's country. I travelled to my mom's country for the 1st time when I was in my 20s. (didn't visit earlier due to financials) Since then, I've gone several times & have visited the rellies. The visits have helped me understand my mom more and helped me find my identity too. Good luck!
@@greendragonspirit1646move to Canada, Australia, NZ, or the USA.
@@greendragonspirit1646I suggest to visit Myanmar and reconnect with your roots (if you haven't done so). You should be safe in the touristy areas like Yangon - I've seen some vloggers go there recently. Ask your mum about her hometown & research if it's safe to go there, so that you can see your relatives. (but safety first - some areas are no go zones for tourists since there's fighting). Good luck.
@@greendragonspirit1646I’ve felt this way since I can remember, you’re not alone. Strange feeling I’ve never gotten used to.
I wonder how she would feel after living in Asia where she would need to adapt to the culture. A lot of cultures in most Asian Countries are quite traditional and expectations to adhere to them becomes stifling. Growing up in the US ...yes you sometimes feel you don't belong but on the other hand visiting some Asian countries for an extended period of time ... I sometimes I feel like I don't belong either because some tell me I have what they call an Americanized attitude.
As a Cambodian I think that Richmond, VA is a great enclave. Plenty of Southeast Asians and East Asians. There are even some South Asians. The restaurants are family-owned and authentic, and you get those 200-300 person Asian gatherings and weddings (the kind where if somebody goes to go yours then you have to go to theirs). There’s a real sense of community among Asians there.
VCU alumni here. Richmond was one of the most horrible experiences I'd ever had living in a city. Racists of all colors and classes out there.
@@education.eclectic Damn. I’ve never had that issue. To be fair though I’d only ever lived been around the Asian communities of the town though. The biggest beefs I’ve seen were just street Cambos and Viets vs Chinese people. But even then it wasn’t too often.
@@Nara.Shikamaru I've definitely seen the Southeast Asian beef with Chinese while living here in DC for sure. Also Koreans beef with all other Asians around here for some reason.
How is Arlington?
@@education.eclecticI may be wrong for some points, I find Chinese to be more friendlier than Korean
Be proud to be American but also be proud of your heritage/ancestry. Do positive things and be true to your values. When I was growing up in England I was made to feel inferior and I hated my heritage. I didn’t understand then. I am proud of being English yet I am also extremely proud of my Chinese heritage. Some haters in the west will try to put you down and make make you inferior; but you are not. Chinese people will never think themselves superior. They just want to be treated fairly. The mainland Chinese has shown you they are not inferior. So any Asians who live in the west; continue to be positive and never feel inferior.
F USA
So glad I stumbled across you guys! As an Asian American that didn't grow up with much of my Asian family to influence (mostly raised by the Caucasian half), I've always felt a deep connection to Asian culture and as I'm getting older, I want to connect more with my Asian side. So although I've never visited the Asian countries I have an interest in, I can partially relate to the "I feel like I belong in Asia" bit.
I've been to China and the layout or map if you will is just so much more stimulating. The environment itself is more stimulating with respect to all 5 senses, the colors, lights, busy streets, the frenetic bobbing and weaving through markets and streets, vendors hawking their wares, motorbikes zipping everywhere, the mix between contemporary and ancient structures, the smell of spices, choudofu, and cigarettes. I swear I wrote 3/4 of this, rhyming just by thinking about the time I spent there. Comparatively the US can seem drab although it has it's own beauty.
Part 2 Spent a year in China while in medschool in 85' and have gone back about 15x's . Next trip is this October. To date have visited 17 of 23 provinces with 6 more to go. I have a love-hate relationship but throughout the years have become much more understanding and mature about the situation. Besides, one can see changes in real time.
I just got back from an extended trip to China visiting multiple provinces (including Xinjiang), and it was quite an eye opening experience indeed! It truly made me appreciate my heritage even more.
As an Asian, I too feel the same.
I am from north-east India where the majority look like Chinese/Thai/Filipino. I felt more at home in Thailand, Taipei than any Indian cities.
I am not Asian-American, but I am Mexican-American and I know the feeling of of going back to your parents motherland and that’s how it feel in Mexico 🇲🇽 and when ever I go when people ask why don’t you like speaking English there? I responded with I am taking a vacation from “Gringolandia” and don’t want to go to those fake tourist resorts where the gringos are and would rather chop it up with fellow Mexicans instead!
I get it!
I've watched some clips of Lejuan James and even though I can only understand a few words of Spanish, I enjoy his vids. Mexican culture (or Latino culture in general) seems so fun. 👍 I understood when you said that you wanted to have a respite from Gringolandia.
I have friends that live in Mexico City, I visited and loved it bro. I’d live there if I had the means of creating an income for myself
If you can, get a dual citizenship, you never know when it might come in handy.
Not applicable to China!
Some countries allow it, like TH, Cambodia, PH, etc.
Midwest may not be interested for other Asian Americans, but for the Hmong, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are popular within their community. For other Asians ethnic, they may feel a little out of place, but as a Hmong, there are Mall of America, Hmong Village, Hmong mall, Hmong academic schools to politicians to businesses to sports, etc. During July 4th, there's a sport event like a mini Olympic held every year besides just the Hmong New Year festivals. Hmong even have a Hmong day in remembrance of the Hmong sacrificed and fought alongside the United States during the Vietnam War.
Other than that, traveling overseas, of course, it is always like home. Just gotta be able to step outside your comfort zone and try to fit in.
I m a Chinese from Malaysia and I live in Kuala Lumpur. Mandarin and Cantonese are lingua franca in Kuala Lumpur.
What are you talking about ? Mandarin and cantonese are lingua franca in Kuala Lumpur? It should be malay
@@AhamdMushaffa….errrhhh…mean among the Chinese, of coz, Malay is the national language for all
@@AhamdMushaffa even some Malays and Indians speak both languages. In Malaysia there are Chinese medium schools where the language of instruction is Mandarin and some Malays and Indians send their children to these schools. Mind you in Malaysia the Chinese dominate the private sector. If you want to make a living and you live in Kuala Lumpur you better learn these 2 languages.
That's really interesting given that Chinese in Southeast Asia originate from mostly Southern China. Which means they were originally speaking non-Chinese languages around 2,000-2,500 years ago.
I would agree your gender makes a difference in whether you'd like living in Asia. What I observed is that Asian American women tend to feel more positively about being in Asia is because many cities are safe. You can easily walk alone at night feeling safe most of the time. As opposed to men may have less concerns about their physical safety.
Same. I am retiring in a few months after 56 years in the US. I plan to retire in China. Low cost of living. High quality of life.
no porn tho
Would recommend Taiwan. Same language if you speak Chinese. Also low cost of living/ high quality of life. Nationalized high quality healthcare. And it's a democracy/ no internet firewall
@@TheFlagUnit good
I don’t think so in terms of their food
@@CZARCAADMainland cities are two decades ahead in modernization. Taiwan looks like 1990’s China.
I've lived in the states my entire life and I've never felt like it was my home. It always feels like I'm a square peg trying to fit into a circle hole and I'm tired of it. Trying to learn how to speak Korean so I can live there. My white friends say it's racist that I think like this yet they themselves mainly hang out with white people so I find it pretty hypocritical of them to say that.
Whites have everything catered to them in the us, not racist to want to learn your mother tongue
@Normalman777q Why does that matter? I'm an adult if that's what you're asking.
It's not racist to flock together with others with like feathers.
@@Ostnizdasht206 which states have you lived in?
@@tzenzhongguo Washington state.
Off topic but - I love this channel.
omg i just came back from bangladesh and i felt the exact same way!! i live in california, one of the most diverse and racially progressive states there is, yet i still felt like a foreigner for the first time. and it all has to do with what this user 0:23 said: "i feel like americas can be pretty fluffy-nice and it feels so fake. but people in malaysia were so nice but also direct without the fluff. i miss it"
i can't stand fake behavior more than i can't stand people who are openly rude. at least with the latter, i know they don't like me and can easily differentiate that from those who genuinely love and support me. with the former, i have to deal with overthinking and interpretations that leave me spiraling. and i end up adopting those fake behaviors too from time to time. and i've had enough. if you don't like me, just let me know and be done with it. don't keep me at arms length distance, but also not have the balls to just tell me what you're really thinking. in the states, we have a lot of pretenders and that just made me more depressed and lonely than being surrounded by 5+ "friends".
(one last note) i actually passed through the middle-east as i was on my way back to bangladesh. stayed in arabia for two weeks. true, not everyone is kind and soft-spoken. i saw verbal fights happen around me from time to time and sometimes people were not considerate to me either. it was irksome, but i felt it was fair, because at least i knew what they were thinking. i didnt have a debate going on in my head like, "does this person hate me? maybe. idk. it's so hard to tell". conversely, when people came to me and were very pleasant, i didnt feel i was being manipulated. i felt they were genuinely interested! because if they weren't, they would have just come up to me and told me to **** off from the start. so that made my life a lot easier, actually. i didn't go out of my way to provoke anyone, but sometimes people just didn't like me for something i was unaware of and i appreciated the honesty.
The states ain't it anymore. We don't even know who runs our country👀
Satan lol 😂😐
It’s Je…sus
That's exactly what I have been thinking lately.
@@ftu2021More like AIPAC
@@kaleidojess🎭
Grew up outside of STL in a small college town of 15K during the 70's and was graduated from HS in 81'. There were a total of about 5 Chinese families all of whom were faculty at the same university. There was only one African American family who was employed by the university but was not faculty. Most all the ABC's were at the top of their classes, subsequently going to medical school with the rest engineers. I never felt part of the community and got my share of racial epithets. After medschool in KC, I couldn't wait to flee and ended up at UCLA for residency and ultimately fellowship. Took my first job and landed in San Diego for the last 30 years. I can relate totally to the "Yellow Spot" in a see of "White." No regrets and no longer have any relatives in the Midwest. They all moved out to Southern California. Wonder Why???? 🤣😂🤣😂
Thanks for your post. Suddenly, I remembered the film Fargo, and imagined how an Asian would feel in that "sea of white". Yah! 😅 I'm not surprised that your relatives eventually transferred to SoCal.
Same here. Always feel depressed after visiting India and coming back to the US.
Typing this as an Asian who's lived more than half his life in America, and is now trying to live in Asia (right now in Korea). I can definitely say that I empathize with those who have the same sentiment.
I'm hapa (korean/white) and thinking about moving to Korea, do you think that's a good idea? I've never felt like the US was my home and it only gets worse as I get older.
@@Ostnizdasht206 Full disclosure, I'm not ethnically Korean so your mileage may vary.
Being able to speak Korean goes a LONG way in making your life better in Korea for sure, since Koreans already have a predisposed notion of viewing even hapas as "outsiders". Not that they necessarily discriminate against you, but I've definitely felt that Koreans Koreans are different than Koreans interacting with literally anyone else. For better, or worse.
You may feel that Korea feels more like home if I had to guess. But, in the same breath, I think you'd soon find out that Korea may not be the exact fit home you're looking for because of this.
Still, by all means, like the guys said in this video, you're free to--and should--try at least once if you can.
@@Ostnizdasht206 I think you'd feel better there as long as it is not for good, let's just say Korea and Japan both have nasty sides to them, you'll actually feel more at home in China or Singapore as a hapa korean, if it was possible Singapore is your best bet, the rest of Asia is also great depending on how white you look or hor racially ambiguous you look, I'm half Chinese half Filipino, I'm more comfortable interacting with Filipinos due to the language because I don't speak Chinese but because I look physically Chinese, I am always seen as the other or as foreign but not so if I'm in Northeast asia or Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are so-so places where you can probably pass as a local, in there I feel more like one of them when walking in the streets so it gives a different sense of comfort even if the language barrier is something to worry about.
If just for vacation, Korea is great but not for living there, a lot of Koreans are actually living in southeastern asia for a reason, even they feel their homeland is too much, and they get used to the slow life with less stress here even if it comes with a sense of otherness.
@@Ostnizdasht206I feel that it also depends on your age. Are you near retirement or are you still in "prime working age"? If you're intending to retire there, then research on their visa options - how long can you stay on tourist visa or if they have retirement visas. If you're still young, then research on job options (and work visas) or being a digital nomad (and digital nomad visa). This goes for any country, not just for Korea. If you intend to move for retirement, consider other countries like TH, Malaysia, VN, etc where cost of living is lower and where you can pass for a local (if you are Korean).
1.How good is your Korean?
If you speak fluently, your stay will be much more enjoyable. Most locals here don’t speak English fluently.
2.Are you set in what career you want to take?
Like other countries - jobs are scarce here, and unless you speak Korean the choices will be even smaller.
3. Are you a dual citizen?
This will make the legal stuff much easier - no need for a visa obviously.
4.Are you thick skinned?
Koreans are of two extremes : either really nice or brutally ‘mean’. We are very generous with food and are quick to help our close friends and families. However we can be a bit too honest on things Americans would not (looks for example).
I'm Chinese Canadian, been here 46 years, yet within these past few years, feel very aware or more like reminded that I'm Asian and Chinese
The media attacking Asians for pricing out the property market
Do you live in Edmonton?
@@tzenzhongguo yup, deadmonton
@@futo cmon can’t be that bad. I have a friend who’s Chinese, Brunei mixed he grow up there and still lives there and enjoys living there. Isn’t Toronto and Vancouver full of crime, homelessness, and expensive cost of living?
@@tzenzhongguo well, everybody situation is different too, yes Toronto and Vancouver have their fair share of crimes, but so does Edmonton...it's sometime people's encounters. I didn't quite like it when I use to live in downtown area. The big plus is Edmonton is considerable more affordable than Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary when it comes to owning a place. Job wise, well, the other three mention along with Kitchener and Ottawa is where all the better jobs are. btw, how did you pinpoint Edmonton?
I feel more safe in Asia than America
It's also the change in gut bacteria diversity that is makes us depress in the west. Plus the sun and tropical weather there.
Also if you want to change the fishbowl do it before you get married. I wished that I had moved to either California or back to South Korea when I was still in my twenties. Anyway, this is the only channel where I read other people’s comments and it is so awesome knowing what other Asian Americans are really thinking.
Born in Van. Lived in HK for seven years. Then moved back to Van, with fairly regular visits back to HK/Asia still. How do I feel? That neither place has it all but being Canadian Asian, there’s probably no better mix of places to be from. When in HK for too long, I miss Van (good air, space, my car, lack of heat etc). When in Van for too long, I miss Asia (food, shopping, some of the man-made attractions). Push me to chose one, and that depends on stage of life. Younger, go Asia. But thinking of starting family, back to Van. In retirement? Half-half.
Living the true Hongcouver lifestyle!
@@letsgowalkDamn 😂
I bet this is how most Asian Americans feel, half Asian half American for their lives
I was born in Wisconsin, America and when I went to Thailand, it’s true. I feel normal there unlike in America I feel 3rd class
Sounds like your still in your bliss of traveling, then go back and live there for a year and feel it out if you want to live there. I did that and I was in Southeast asia and I felt it wasn't for me and came back to America. My reason might be different from yours to come back home to America but you have to do it to know it. I will still visit because I have family back there but I know I will not move and live there forever.
I meet a lot of Asian Americans in my time in Asia. Most white expats enjoyed their "othering" because it was often positive attention. There were some of those among Asian Americans as well who liked to flaunt their passport so to speak. But overal most of them seemed to enjoy blending in. Although some were also treated quite harshly when they failed to live up to the local standards.
bro i feeel depressed everytime i come back from vacation... its vacation lol
I'm going through something similar. I'm Chinese in Hungary (Europe), lived here for almost 30 years, have no accent whatsoever in both languages. Planning to go to China for a year, and see what happens.
I feel that. In some ways Guatemala felt like home, but can't anywhere be home if you find the right city ? (Also, I'm not Asian American, I'm not even American 😂 but I just like your videos..)
It’s always a little depressing to come back 😅
We spent a month in Korea, Japan, and Singapore this summer.
But there are some conveniences in the US too.
what conveniences in US beats Asia?
@@Buydaa.M giant land. That's about it
I'm a Malaysian, after 11 years here in NYC, and went back a few times for vacation all this while...and yes, i'll never come back to the US for my very next visit ❤🇲🇾🫶💪
It’s better in Asia… trust
As long as you don’t have to work in HK, Taiwan, Japan, SK or any East Asian countries, and you have plenty of money to be financially independent, just visit and play, it’s great, absolutely amazing.
I am a 1st Gen ABC / Gen X, and already discovered this early on, moved to Asia in late 90s, and never looked back. Still love traveling to KR/JP/Taiwan/SGP/HKG, and dont feel the need to be back in US.
My dream is to move to Japan 🇯🇵 and become a fisherman 🎣
You can say you don't feel so othered, but you can also say you feel belonged. It's good to feel belonged. Your parents or grand parents left Asia because it was harsh times. People leave the West now also due to harsh times. We are entering Asian Century. Life is short, feel good about yourselves.
It's amazing of the collective thoughts that you guys share. It opens up your mind. Peace
I think a lot of people in America grow up in an Asian bubble whether its in the suburbs or chinatowns, then when they leave that bubble they feel they don't fit in.
Champaign-Urbana (University of Illinois) has the largest population of Chinese students in the US along with many Koreans & Indians. University of Illinois is a top engineering school. Lots of Asians for the Midwest.
is hard to fit in in america unless ur well known
well known? connection, status, n stuff
You feel more of yourself and free when you are with your own culture. You don't feel like you have to conform to the other culture that you're with and worry about what people think of you.
I miss had the opposite effect on me. This other feeling is a double edged sword. Go there, you’re no one special. Most American Asians fully embrace the diverse culture of America. It’s a part of who we are and it’s an amazing feeling being Asian even though we have our issues in the states
@@lotuspocus2165 nothing is better than being part of the majority in your home country.
I also felt that way after coming back from my trips to Asia
I implore anybody who hasn't spent at least a year in their native land to teach English or work in some capacity there. Otherwise, as an Asian American you will be lost in self identity. Living in Koreatown or other enclaves of America won't do. You have to live in their environment and also speak their language would be even better.
Almost every major usa city is a shithole, any asian city would feel a lot more comfortable 😂
Would rather live in a rural surrounded by 5 amish and 30 cows then ever live in nyc or San Francisco ever again
This one hits deep
Funny how I as a Chinese Filipino also feel more comfortable and at home in Northeast Asia especially in China like in Macau or even in Chinese majority Singapore, I don't feel like I'm other, I am more at peace at being the same as the majority, even within Asia, there is this feeling, for a Filipino, he or she would be more at home in most southeast Asian country than in China or Korea. People tend to lump east Asians together but it is like lumping Europeans and North Africans/west Asians together. In fact some northeast Asians would actually feel more at home in the West than in more tropical southeast Asian countries, societies in the same latitude tend to be more alike due to weather and interactions, of course diasporas and spheres of influence would make this difference or alienness less daunting, so for a Chinese American, Malaysia with their large Chinese diaspora makes it more appealing but China or Taiwan or Macau or HK or even Singapore would be even more appealing, places where Chinese Americans would feel most at home.
Bad comparison Europeans are all white they don’t get grouped with North Africa/mid east. Korea, Japan are both part of the sinosphere (culturally).
Asia was mostly 3rd world a generation or 2 ago.
In modern cities, an Asian would feel much more at home than in the west, especially if there isn't a language barrier.
Not just to Asia, just to China towns, i feel like im home already.
I love M'sia, their old Chinatown in KL reminded me of the British Hong Kong when I left her for Nu Yawk City in 68.
Try working there for a couple of years, you’ll get over the Asia high real quick.
Have you worked in Asia? Just curious.
@@Iluvmydogs128 I have
why? whats wrong with the Asian working culture?
Overtime, low pay, rush hour metro sardines, Just to name a few.
@@MikeLeed are the bosses toxic too?
I'm an Asian who grew up in the Mid-West, MN to be exact and I've been back to Asian countries. I enjoyed my time there but I prefer living in MN or other states here in the US. But I understand why some Asian Americans who don't feel like they belong here and wants to move back to Asia. And David, we eat regular foods here in the Mid-West just like every one else in the country. Come to Minneapolis or some other Mid-West states, sounds like you guys think we in the Mid-West are some sort of aliens or something. 😂
OP is probably experiencing a couple things: 1) vacation withdrawals, and 2) dissatisfaction with her current environment having recently and immediately compared it to (what seemed like) a better existence. At least she was able to admit it to herself, which is the first step toward identifying a longer-term solution. If I were her, I'd hold onto those feelings for a while and see where they led me. If they continue, I might not take such drastic measures as moving to Malaysia, since there are still lots of benefits to living Stateside. Fung Bros are correct that she probably just needs to look at opportunities and demographics in another part of North America. (Note: I said North America, not necessarily the US -- Vancouver and Toronto have a lot to offer.) She will find her way, but it has to start with self honesty and facing fear head on. Good luck to her and to everyone who is struggling with this.
That's why I moved to the twin cities, lots of Hmong, Karen, Chinese people and lots of authentic restaurants amd Asian markets.
Personally Ive moved back to CN, at least for the short term. If youve been thinking about it, give it a try! You always have the option to go back if you want.
It's the post vacation blues. I always feel depressed coming back from vacation.
Yeah, like no beaches 🥲 that's what I miss from my vacation.
Fung bros summed it up pretty accurately. Get out of the midwest and go West. The truth is if you grew up speaking english in a western culture and are maybe even half-asian, you may never feel the full sense of belonging in Asia either. However, on the west coast and Hawaii where there are large Asian-American communities, you will find that sense of belonging.
I sorta get the opposite. I miss the US and am glad I live here. Tbf though, most of my life is here so that just adds to the exception.
Just go to the place you are valued the most and leave behind environments that don't and let them get on with it.
OP's post is just one side of it, though. There's also stories of Asian Americans that travel back to the motherland and report feeling ostracized because the locals could instantly tell that they grew up as a Westerner. And gender definitely plays a big role here. Let's be honest: it's much easier for a woman to find some sense of belonging wherever she goes, but the same can't be said about men.
How the person feels culturally is also an important factor. Someone who grew up in the Midwest as an Asian may or may not feel connected to their community depending on their upbringing. If they had a negative experience, removing themselves from that environment might make them feel better compared to if they were completely assimilated and had a thriving social circle where they never felt othered. Race and culture are not always intertwined because one's immediate surroundings can greatly influence their worldview.
Yeah, a person's temperament doesn't change just by relocating, but it can provide an opportunity to start anew while leaving all their baggage from the past behind.
I haven't finished the video yet (and maybe this topic will be discussed at a later point in the video), but a big part of the reason that I would feel guilty moving back to Asia (even though I prefer it to the US) is that my parents are immigrants and it would feel like I am undoing all of their hard work by moving back. They sacrificed the comfort of staying in their homeland to come to a foreign land, and I wouldn't want to make all of their sacrifices be for naught. The struggles and sacrifices they made would be all for nothing if I just moved back to Asia.
Also, I'm worried about what my family back in Asia would think if I just moved back. Would they think that I only moved back because I couldn't build a happy life in America? It's a sunk cost fallacy. I've already invested so much time into building my life in America, and even though I am deeply unhappy with my life, I feel like I should just continue to live here just because I don't want to lose the time I've already invested.
It's like when a couple wants to get divorced, but they choose to stay in a marriage because they have been together for decades. The grass is not necessarily greener, but I've been watering my lawn for decades.
I moved to the Midwest happy to stay here. Screw Cali. Taiwan & Japan are great to visit. But the U.S. will always be my home. Looking forward to visit Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.
Why screw Japan and Taiwan ?!
@@hsuehhs1 because the CcP and the PLA said so.🤣🤣🤣 Read carefully I never said that. There’s a period after Cali and I begin a new sentence with Taiwan.
@@tzenzhongguo so you do hate other Asians boy are you white washed
I see it quite similar to people from the country side visiting/living in the city for a short period and miss home. Or vice versa.
Made in USA (California) but have travelled to Japan, Malaysia, China,, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. I really enjoy traveling to Asia and I do feel at home in most of the Asia countries. But I do get home sick because in California we have a lot of Asian people here, better weather, more freedom and opportunity. I can live in America and Japan or Thailand. If I have to pick I would stay here in California because there are lots of Asian culture here. -=)
I agree! I'm in the same boat as you, and despite all of the issues we have here in California, there is no place like home!
I dabbled with moving abroad, but in this day and age of remote work, I figured just going over there for extended periods, while keeping my home base in California is the way to go!
@@rmwarriors16 I left Cali only will visit now once a year. I only miss the good Asian food and other ethnic foods. But I sure as hell don’t miss the crime, high cost of living, high gas prices, and the restrictions on guns.
I feel the same. Truthfully if I ever become fluent in Japanese I’d strongly consider moving there. At least for a year. Perhaps it sounds a little silly, but I’ve always felt a kinship between the Mexicans (which I am) and the Japanese. Not to mention my hometown has the highest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam itself.
Japanese migrated more than other Asians in Mexico?
I live in a small town in Colorado. I think there are 4 or 5 of us. I know all of us.
I am not racist, but this is my theory.
As a Mexican with Native roots, each "race" feels at peace where nature intended them to be. I have AMERICAN blood/ DNA so whenever I travel within this continent, I feel at home, and I feel deep connection to the woods, beaches, mountains, and so forth. That is, this is our mother land, and this is our home, and my spirit feels like if my forefathers have hunted these lands for eons.
You go with money of course you feel like a king. Let see if your money run out.
it depends, I would assume alot of Asians also cant stand being in their own country knowing their cultures. I have couple of chinese american friends who hate China becuz they aren't Chinese chinese or chinese enough. Then I have a korean friend who hates the Korean respecting elder bs and the way you have to speak to them. like you guys said too tho some of them said its so weird to naturally blend in with the crowd as everyone looks the same as asian and when they are back in the states it feels weird.
In about 20 years time when China GDP per capita is about developed country level, believe me, a lot of overseas Chinese would want to move to China, including those Chinese who were born and grew up in the west. Just look at what the Japanese did, there is a wave of going back to japan in recent 20 years, these are the Japanese people who immigrate after the Second World War but as soon as Japan became a developed place, Japanese tend to move back to their homeland
In the case of Japan, their economy can never improve because of the Plaza Accord and the 2020 forced tech sharing agreement with USA
@@valorzinski7423 That makes no sense.
Maybe it's difficult, because these former colony countries have very soft, permissive culture, where people can almost impose their own culture. So it's better to go to Asia, where the people have a real identity and hardened cultural rules(?)
You'd visit Houston and would miss it if you were from the Midwest...
It's probably honeymoon period.
I doubt many really want to go back.
Move to 626. You wont feel any asian withdrawal.
LA County❤
That's bc it's easier to vacation in a country than to actually work and live in it
This did not age well... Most Malaysians Malay are boycotting America so anything related to America is actually looked down upon not up here, as a Malaysian Chinese we don't care about designer or brand names and we buy stuff based on value, don't lump us with China Rich Chinese
hm....Jay Park is from Seattle
So I'm trying to make some passive income before moving to Asia. Food there is healthier. The only person holding you back is yourself. I plan to move either ho chi minh or Thailand. I feel thailand is more for me plus there are teaching jobs that pays well. You can try to find work at embassy.
Hate to say it but us Asian Americans will never be “American” as long as we don’t look like one 🤔
When are the FUNGs going back to HONG KONG?