Racism is running rampant like we’ve never seen before and it’s because people don’t know what the words expat, immigrant or refugee mean anymore. Well, I’m here to clear all of this up for you! I’ll throw in Digital Nomad in the end as well just to confuse you as far as possible.
A word of warning; some of you won’t agree and will get offended. But just know that it is your personal right and issue to do so and deal with. Because facts are facts and your tantrum won’t change them.
Expat, Immigrant, Refugee – Which One Are You Actually?
What’s interesting about distinguishing between expat, immigrant and refugee, is the fact that even Google can’t be trusted to tell you the truth about the matter. The tool has been so generously flooded with false information that it spews disinformation as fact these days.
So, what makes my knowledge superior to Google’s in this regard? Well, the simple fact that I am quite a bit older than Google, and have thus had access to the original, factual information. And now in my overflowing generosity I shall share my higher intelligence with y’all!
Expat
Let’s start with the most distorted “title”. While each of these words – expat, immigrant or refugee – has a rather racist clang to it these days, this one is the most ridiculous. And the one that even Google doesn’t understand:
- If you google the word ‘expat’ you’ll be told they are people from affluent countries who voluntarily move abroad.
- ‘Affluent’ obviously meaning ‘prosperous or rich’ which supposedly depicts only white Westerners. Yes, with that logic it means that even if you’re white but from Eastern Europe, you don’t count because you’re “not from an affluent country”
- But why would only white Westerners be referred to as ‘expats’ when there are people everywhere around the world who are affluent enough to move abroad?
Well, here we come to the exact point of this article: racism! Of course, when you meet a white Westerner who is originally from elsewhere and they refer to themselves as an expat, it doesn’t automatically make them a racist. Instead, it’s more likely that they are uneducated and ill-informed. Some of them are pure racists, though, there is no denying.
But what is an expat then? To claim the title you must fulfill the following depictions:
- You work for a corporation or organisation that has offices abroad.
- That corporation/organisation sends you to one of these offices abroad to work (as such it’s not 100% voluntary).
- Your assignment abroad lasts a specific period of time, for example 6 months or 2 years.
- Because you were sent abroad by your job, your work place will see that work permits, visas etc. are sorted out for you.
- After the assignment has been completed you return to your home country to continue working for the same corporation.
Alternatively, you can, of course, also stay in the new country. But the moment you apply for a visa, work permit, residence permit etc. yourself instead of a company providing you one, you’re no longer an expat. Instead, you then become an…
Immigrant
Ooh yes, I can hear the indignation, the hurt egos breaking at the seams! Yes darling, if you moved abroad voluntarily and of your own accord to work or retire, you are an immigrant. And now I’d like you to ask yourself why does this word make you feel so intensely uncomfortable?
Again, you may not be a racist, but if the word makes you squirm you have fallen victim to racist rhetoric. Racists talk about immigration a lot, but since they lack significantly in terms of intelligence, they don’t know what the word means. Let’s make sure you’re not an idiot like them, shall we?
- Among the differentiation between expat, immigrant and refugee, immigrants are the bunch of people who move abroad voluntarily of their own accord.
- While expats are sent abroad, immigrants want to go live in another country for multiple different personal reasons.
As such, immigration covers most of the people living abroad globally. Including the white twats who think themselves somehow superior from the rest. Which is what makes them racists. This is also why the melon mussolini crying about growing immigration in the European Union just shows how incredibly stupid he is:
The European Union has an open borders policy for EU citizens (myself included)! That means that we can move all over the EU for whatever reason without ever having to spare a thought on visas or any other paperwork.
I have personally utilised this privilege since I was 19 and still do. And as such, I bloody well know what I’m talking about and what I am: an immigrant! Sorry not sorry, many of you can now go and cry about it: you’re not an expat, you’re an immigrant!
Refugee
Now we come to the word that racists ought to use, if they had the intelligence. But even if they got the word right, it wouldn’t change the fact that they are spewing absolute bullshite!
Refugees are the people who do not want to move abroad. They don’t have any other option. These are people who literally want to live in their own countries but can’t for the following reasons:
- Fear of unjust persecution
- War or other life-threatening conflict
- Targeted violence by their government and/or institutions
Imagine having to leave your country against your will… None of us can afford to think anymore that it wouldn’t happen to us. Just look at the United States, Ukraine, even the UK! You may become a refugee next week, so be mindful how you treat them in your country this week.
What’s extremely ironic is the fact that right now we have people literally fleeing the United States. They wouldn’t want to leave but fascism is too big of a threat to them so they see moving abroad as necessary. And yet they still dare call themselves ‘expats’… Are they 100% refugees? It depends, most of them probably not, some of them yes. But they sure as fuck ain’t expats!
BONUS: Digital Nomad
In addition to expat, immigrant and refugee we nowadays have a fourth common depiction for people dwelling abroad: the Digital Nomad. To be honest, this is more of an umbrella term because digital nomads are a very varied bunch of people.
Yes, they move abroad completely voluntarily. But the biggest difference between them can be found in their work status:
- Many digital nomads are entrepreneurs and work abroad for certain periods of time so they could also call themselves expats.
- Some digi nomads work for companies but they can work remotely full time, which allows them to move abroad: there are shades of expats there but they are probably responsible for their own visas and insurances, so digital nomad suits them better.
- While all digital nomads have a nationality, some of them don’t have a home address. For example, I lived in a hotel at one point and switched countries every couple weeks.
In my opinion digital nomads are a perfect example of how our world is changing. Definitions that we’re so used to, apply to more people less and less every day. We can’t fit people into societal boxes anymore, just like digital nomads can’t be pushed under one identity, like an immigrant or an expat. The world around us is becoming more complex, more open and so much more versatile. Don’t you just love that!
Final Thoughts on Expat, Immigrant or Refugee
We can see how strong and widely spread the western propaganda is when we consider how we see an expat, immigrant or refugee. When you dig a little deeper you quickly realise how racist it all is. But as systems are collapsing and the world is changing we all need to do better for our own sakes and others’.
Yeah, I guess many of you do not enjoy the world becoming more complex and versatile. In that case let this be your sign that it’s time to change! The world won’t stop changing for you so either you change with it or you sit down and shut the fuck up.
And you can start changing by learning about and using correct terms when you talk about people who live abroad!
That way you can avoid being swept away by racist propaganda without you even noticing. The line between racism and tolerance is not vague, even if the far right tries to make it seem so. It’s up to each of us to individually make sure we don’t fall victim of their propaganda.
FAQ
Q: What are the main differences between expats, immigrants, and refugees?
A: Expats ( expatriates) are individuals who are sent abroad by their work place to work in the company’s offices abroad for a specific amount of time (for example 2 years). Immigrants are people who voluntarily move to another country with the intent of establishing permanent residency for various reasons, including economic opportunities, family reasons, or seeking a better quality of life. Refugees are individuals who flee their home country against their will due to persecution, conflict, or violence.
Q: What challenges do expats, immigrants, and refugees typically face?
A: All three groups can encounter challenges such as cultural shocks, language barriers, and difficulties in finding employment. Expats and immigrants may struggle with feelings of isolation and can struggle adapting to different social norms. Refugees often deal with the same issues but on top of that they may have trauma from their past experiences and require legal assistance and mental health resources.
Q: How can expats and immigrants integrate into a new culture?
A: Taking language classes or practicing with native speakers helps facilitate communication and build relationships. Engaging in local traditions and activities fosters connections with local residents and connecting with other expats or immigrants can provide emotional support and resources for navigating the new environment. Researching and respecting the local culture can ease the transition and encourage mutual respect.
Q: What legal protections do refugees have in their host countries?
A: Refugees are protected under international law, specifically the 1951 Refugee Convention. This grants them certain rights, including the right not to be returned to a country where they face threats to their life or freedom, access to basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care, and the opportunity to work and receive legal assistance, allowing them to rebuild their lives in safety. Many host countries also provide specific programs to support refugees, including language training and job placement services.
