After the furor sparked by the video of a man from Córdoba showing how much he earns for washing dishes in Germany, we asked a group of young people from Córdoba who also live in other parts of the world what the pros and cons of migrating abroad.
The majority mentioned as positive the better quality of life, security, the possibility of walking down the street more calmly, services, job opportunities and professional growth in all areas.
Among the negative things, they agreed on the stress of paperwork, the culture shock, and being far from loved ones (family and friends).
The reasons why they decided to leave Argentina include the search for a better quality of life, job opportunities, learning about new cultures, and personal growth. Their average ages are between 25 and 36 years old and they all affirm that “they would emigrate again.”
Security, as the first big change
José Fara and Eugenia Cittadini are mechanical engineers, they are based in Zaragoza, Spain, Since three years ago. For both, insecurity was the driving force to seek better living conditions.
“Before finishing the race, our backpacks with computers were stolen from the car. That delayed us a lot of time to be able to receive us and everyone told us, even the police officer who received the complaint: ‘How are you going to leave the backpacks in the car, it’s obvious that they were going to steal them!’. I will not forget that feeling of helplessness,” Eugenia recalls.
Eugenia and José have been living in Zaragoza, Spain for three years
“The best thing about being in Europe is the security, I haven’t locked the door of my house for three years, I don’t have bars and I go out at 3 am to take my dog for a walk and nothing happens to me,” he describes.
Patricio Perpetua is currently living in Melbourne, Australiais a Computer Engineer, graduated from UNC, affirms that “physical security, being able to ride a bicycle calmly, moving at night without fear, taking public transportation and not having to check if someone got home safely or not” , is one of the benefits of the city in which it is located.
Victoria Clariá, a journalist residing in Miami, mentions the same thing. USA. “The best thing about having emigrated is, on the one hand, the feeling of security. Being able to use the phone on the street or go out walking at night and know that I can return home in peace.”
Growth opportunities and economic stability
Patricio has been out of the country for five years. The first time he left he went to Europe leaving some of his things in a trunk. Three years later he returned only to give away what he didn’t want to take. At this time he affirms that one of the first and most obvious changes is the financial security and the possibility of saving quickly. This goes hand in hand with “the job offer at all levels (from the well-known glass washer to management)” and “the hunger of companies to hire talent “which is needed in all countries, only with more generous remuneration and better benefits.”
/Home Embedded Code/
/End Embedded Code/
Victoria also left Argentina looking for new work challenges that she could not find in Argentina, adding to that the economic situation and social unrest. “Knowing that I will always spend the same amount at the supermarket is a peace of mind that we don’t have in Argentina,” she says. And about work she mentions: “I found a country that has a lot to offer to those who make the effort.”
Victoria Clariá is in Miami, United States.
Get to know other cultures
María Luz Gerbaudo emigrated to Spain to specialize and do a master’s degree. She is a civil engineer and although she considered some universities in Argentina, she was attracted to the idea of training as a professional and learning from other cultures.
María Luz Gerbaudo is in Spain
The same thing happened to Ivanna Torres Riesco, a journalist in Spain who believes that knowing new stories, realities, people and cultures enriches one’s own growth.
For Eugenia, “the cultural exchange is incredible.” She has been in Zaragoza for three years and she affirms that she meets people from all over the world: “Working with them is very interesting, each one has a unique point of view and that greatly enriches my knowledge.”
Missing your loved ones, the most difficult thing
Everyone agrees that the distance from the loved ones they left in their country of origin, friends and family, is one of the worst things about emigrating.
“You are far away, and if something happens, you are at least 24 hours away to be able to see them,” says José. “You see your nephews grow up through photos, you miss part of their life, you miss family and friends,” adds Eugenia.
“The worst thing is undoubtedly the distance from family and friends. Even though one is fine living outside, one undoubtedly misses everyday life. I think it is not so easy to build ties in big cities like Miami, so the social part is difficult in that sense,” says Victoria. Ivanna from Spain agrees and adds that “the bonds and bonds that were formed in Argentina cannot be replaced.” “In Argentina, any stranger treats you like your own family, just by greeting you with a kiss without even knowing your name,” she says.
Ivanna Torres Riesco in Madrid
However, in this challenge, Patricio also sees the possibility of creating even deeper, quality bonds: “Being far away, with a significant time difference, there is an effort to maintain a sentimental bond. You make an effort to listen to audios, messages, organize calls.”
Patricio Perpetua, is living in Melbourne, Australia
Paperwork, one of the worst things
In the case of those who migrated to Europe, everyone agrees that the procedures and having to do constant paperwork is one of the biggest cons.
“You don’t expect it, it’s the paperwork you’re going to have to do, the times to get appointments, the papers that you’re always missing no matter how prepared you are, the months of mental stress hoping you can be legal and that please, nothing happens to you.” in the meanwhile. See how years’ savings are reduced in a few months. Fight with the most trusted person because you don’t know anyone else,” Eugenia lists.
“When moving to a new country, you have to do a lot of paperwork to be legal and without problems, which takes time and also the issue of rent is increasingly difficult for a foreigner,” Luz mentions.
Would they emigrate again?
No one doubts it. Some recommend not romanticizing the decision and being well informed before going to a new place and having everything in order.
They also do not rule out the possibility of continuing to travel and move to other cities or countries, if the opportunity presents itself.
Patricio mentions that when talking with people like him who have left the country, – and are part of a generation that is between 25 and 35 years old -, there are few who have decided to settle somewhere. “The majority move from one place to another hoping that in the next destination they will find what they think they are missing (…) I think we are a generation that is in constant search for an ideal, which may not exist, but we have the courage to continue looking for something better,” he says.
Interview by María José Arrieta
