Returning home to the USA
The challenge of repatriation: from Czech Republic to the USA
by Crissy Swartz
Re-entry into the USA has been more difficult than I expected. Sure life in the CZ was not easy. I didn’t speak Czech, but I had a plan. I went to the university to acquire CELTA certification so I could teach English. I wanted to share my language, teach, and meet people. Everything went according to my plan. I meet the most interesting, warm, and caring individuals who will be life-long friends. I was not ready to give that up.
Back in the USA, I realized that I did not have this connection with my good friends. My life-long friends in the states did not need me. I didn’t share my thoughts on culture, religion, politics, or raising a family with them. These subjects tend to get you in a lot of trouble when touched upon over here. I missed that depth of communication, the intimacies of sharing your very own thoughts, unedited, without judgment.
Back in my hometown, I watched people disrespect their environment, and throw candy wrappers, McDonald soda cups, and Kleenex out of their car windows. You never saw this in the Czech Republic. People over there had such a pride for their towns. First thing every morning, people swept and tidied up everything outside of their homes and businesses.. No matter whether poor or rich, everyone swept the fronts of their homes/businesses daily so you had a welcoming appearance.
It is not a secret that in the USA we are fast food junkies. However, you have to live away from this long enough to really see how addicted we have become to this way of life. Real fresh foods are the norm in the Czech Republic. Yes, they have McDonalds, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but they aren’t using them on a daily, weekly basis. Home cooking is still expected, respected and families sit down together daily to enjoy dinner. Lunchtime working people go out for home cooked meals at their local restaurants. There are only 2-3 menu choices, but each offering is prepared fresh that day. The government subsidies these lunch places so that the costs remain affordable and that these establishments will continue to be open to provide quality meals. Nutrition is taken seriously in the Czech Republic. I watch what our schools are feeding our youngsters, where ketchup is considered one of the food groups, and a piece of me dies inside.
My Czech friends helped me find a wonderful female Doctor who could explain everything to me, and took the time to do so. I take daily medications, the standard pills for cholesterol and blood pressure. I needed to reorder my pills. I was shocked to find my pills costing 25 cents per pill, when they cost me 1-2 dollars a pill in the USA. Yes, these were the exact same pills, same colors, shapes, and same manufacturers. Now back home, I listen to the radio about all the health coverage legislation, and wonder just what are our President and Congressmen doing?
I realize that I have become critical of my beloved country. I must search for the best we have to offer so I don’t dwell on the negatives. I must remind myself that my experiences do not match any of the people around me, and it is not their fault that they do not see what they’ve lived with for all their lives. I am the manager of the energies in my household and my heart... I must work to have the positive energies flow through my life.
I now see the world in a big picture. I will become involved in my community to help change, for the better, some of the things around me because of my foreign experience. This is a good thing.
More information on expat life in the USA? Read the Expat Arrivals guide here or read more about expat experiences in the USA
