15

OP: Your working definition is wrong. One does not "immigrate to," he/she "emigrates to" somewhere.

The expats you seek, by whatever definition, would have immigrated from somewhere -- or else are tourists or travelers.

The people in the land they left behind would correctly call them emigrants.

16

Yes, bajasur - from The Dalles, lucky duck. ;-)

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I wasn't trying to stir up controversy by asking what an "expat" was. I had always though the term expatriate referred to those who were avoiding military service when it was still obligatory. By your terminology I would be considered a half expat because while I am technically retired I continue to work, preferring that to just sitting around the swimming pool sipping my mint juleps. I don't however feel a bit "expatriated," since I retain very close ties to people in my home country.
It seems like some people are drowning in definitions of immigrate vs. emigrate. It seems to me that this would merely depend on which direction you're going.

18

I didn't expect there to be a controversy at all! I mean, why does it even matter to you which words exactley I use for my thesis? I did explain who exactley I am looking for in Guatemala, so to answer my original question that should be enough...

Can I add pdfs to my postings? Then I could show you how the terms are used in psychological literature as there is a clear distinction between immigrants and Expats and maybe we could just settle that topic and come to my other question about Blogs you could recommend! ;)

19

Thanks for the input, vittoret!

Well, my plan B is just an idea... would be about volunteers, but that would not strictly be an Occupational Psychology topic, so not my favorite (though interesting) and also not the favorite of my Professor and he is the one who will decide in the end.

And no, the thesis is not really about me. I wouldn't even belong to the targeted population just yet ;) Sure, it has some "personal touches" as it has to do with my situation, but that doesn't matter to me. The research idea formed itself the way I was teached: reading a looooot of articles and studies about Expats who were the logical choice because my Spanish is far from good enough to be able to conduct a study, so locals were out of the question. And then I stumbled over a few really interesting articles about work family conflict in Expats... very interesting!

I would really rather just go there and check out the environment first, but that is not possible due to time limits. The concept has to be presented by the end of June (end of semester here in Austria) in order for me to prepare thoroughly as the questionnaires alone take a lot of time to create.

Any more estimates on number of Expats in Guatemala are very welcome! But I would appreciate it if you would ask me about my thesis via PM rather than in this thread since the main topic here was the question about estimated numbers. Thank you!! :)

20

krissi, did you get my PM about the doctor at the military hospital?

21

Just now sent you an answer! Sorry it took a little longer!

22

First of all, You posted that, "I would be really happy to meet one or more of you in July when my better half and me are coming to Guatemala and check out our new home to be! :)"
Second of all, I'm from out the U.S.A. I worked in U.S. for over 11 years for a Campus University while I was getting college-credits for a BS, concentrated in Psychology. So based on your criteria (a-d posted statements) I wasn’t an Expat while living and working in U.S. Now I am trying to retire and to live in GUATE City, thought the variable criteria you use must be people who have a job, but, perhaps you can use other variable in juxtaposition to it by a similar token when we, psychologists, use a placebo in order to make the demographics shorter as a randomly device to promote more comparisons or contrastings that will help you to define your thesis on bases of populations that are adapted to the acculturation whether they fall on either of the pendulum-expectrum’s sides of your findings. I have established a relationship with a Guatemalan family and will not be returning to the US. Guatemala will be my home. So am I or am I not an Expat, but I am going to be there around your trek on July. If you are able to reach me by PM, I will elaborate about what I told above, and I also I will be available to you and your friend to meet you when we were there,…

23

Thanks for your input, but in the meantime I had a meeting with my Professor and we agreed on a final concept. I am very busy now, working 3 jobs, finishing the last University courses and in between trying to get the concept ready for presentation. So I might not be able to answer posts here as quickly as I'd want to.

But I will surely write you a PM before leaving for Guate in July! :)

Any inputs on how to start "fishing" for participants once in Guatemala? I plan on using an online version and a paper pencil one, but basically I'll rely on word-of-mouth to reach participants. Are there certain "gathering spots" for Expats in Antigua, Lago de Atitlan and Guate City?

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AA meetings?

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Hello Krissi298,

I’m studying journalism at Brussels University (ULB) and next year I’m shooting a short documentary on the topic western “expats” living in Guatemala (I’ll probably focus on Antigua). While I was doing research for it, I stumbled upon this forum topic you started. I’d be really really interested in reading your work and maybe get in touch with you. So please contact me!
Have a great day! :)

R. Duculot

robinduculot@gmail.com