I think about this a lot, and to my horror I’m starting to understand why in every country there are groups of foreigners who refuse to integrate into society. That society gives us nothing but a sense of abandonment, alienation, and insecurity. You’re an outsider no matter what you do. And for most people there’s no such thing as a “good foreigner” or a “bad foreigner.”
On top of that, what they call “integration” almost always means giving up your own identity and culture. And again, you get nothing in return - when you try to adopt their culture or language, you’re still told you’re not good enough, or even that you’re ridiculous: “you’ll never be like us.” So what’s the point of it all? I swear, I’ll end up like Greta Garbo.
Haha, funny thoughts from a conventionally attractive Slavic woman who has the privilege of being married to a citizen of this country… but if even I feel completely drained and worn down by everything that’s happening, I can’t imagine how people feel who carry the weight of being rejected by society even more heavily…
In my defense, in Russia everyone hates everyone - that’s exactly why I always wanted to leave. What difference does it make where you’re an outsider…