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Moving from the US to the EU soon... Any advice? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by frank@sopuli.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Hi all!

We're very excited to move to Denmark soon as lifelong Americans. I have a good job lined up, and we're set on a place to live for a while.

Any advice from people who have done it, looked it up, had friends who have done it, etc? Just in general :)

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[–] tiredofsametab@fedia.io 26 points 1 month ago (9 children)

learn the language AND CUSTOMS
don't hang out in foreigner/english bubbles
don't assume anything works the way it does in the US (from gasoline and driving to medical to government). There are lots of little things that seem like they obviously must be done X way but aren't in other countries
be careful with any investments. It's very easy to end up with PFICs which are punitively taxed (making retirement vehicles here in Japan outside of the national pension prohibitive for me, for instance).
celebrate
bring any snacks that you can legally bring but they can't legally sell (some things with food dyes, etc. if you really like them are banned in some countries to produce/sell but not eat).

[+] Chef_Boyardee@lemm.ee -25 points 1 month ago (8 children)

I got to disagree with the "learn the language and customs" thing. I live (also born and raised) in one of the most culturally diverse cities in America: Germantown, Maryland. I couldn't be prouder, and I also couldn't care less if you don't speak English.

Be yourself. You are welcome here.

[–] kayazere@feddit.nl 13 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

The EU isn’t the US.

Most countries in Europe have this idea of integration where the foreigner learns and adopts the language and culture of the country. You’ll see lots of discussions of “failed” integration of foreigners, especially in Germany.

I think this is still a type of colonialism where they think there culture is better and the foreigner must change, rather than the other way around.

I think the US is a bit better in this regard as there is this idea of a cultural mixing pot and foreigners aren’t expected to “integrate”.

[–] ECB 4 points 1 month ago

It's not colonialism to prefer one culture (or certain cultural traits) to another. In fact, it's natural.

I've lived in a number of countries and each had their own distinct cultural norms. Each has had aspects which I perceived as either positive or negative.

Add it all together and I definitely have preferred certain cultures, not because they are "better" but because they more closely match my own preferences. Other people would prefer different cultural norms.

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