[katan-ko]

I grew up overseas and was changed before I returned to USA to attend university. I think I am more patient, tolerant, compassionate and helpful than the average US Burbites. Best thing I notice about people who move overseas for the first time is that they lose their attitude fast. I like it overseas, USA citizens in general would benefit from more exposure to other cultures. I am still surprised that people like my cousin moved overseas for the first time in her late 20's and was amazed that not everyone was an uneducated peasant - her first relocation was to Singapore where, obviously, she was not the dernier cris ready to lead the nation to civilization.

[creativechalk]

I'm originally from the US and been abroad for over 7 years now.

Like climb678, living and working abroad has definitely made me more sympathetic to minorities and minority issues.

It's also given me a chance to see my own country, language, and culture through the eyes of people from other cultures, languages, and worldviews... that's definitely been one of the most humbling, occasionally difficult, but ultimately very educational and rewarding facets of life abroad for me.