What Is The Concept Of Home In An Age Of Hyper Mobility?

Globalisation has added profoundly to our lives. It has fuelled growth in trade and commerce the past few decades, and opened up choices, variety and diversity in our lives. It has resulted in a hyper connected world, facilitating borderless movement of goods and services, as well as for travel, employment opportunities and lifestyle options. 

Singapore, a tiny city state of a mere 5.45 million population, hosts 1.2 million foreigners in its midst, constituting 20% of its population. Some will decide to sink their roots and set up home, adding to the intricate social fabric of the society. 

My adopted homeland, the Netherlands, has 3 million of its 17.5 million population (approximately 17%) who come from a foreign background. Add to this another 200,000 expatriates living and working, mostly in the Randstad cities of Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam.

Strolling anywhere in Marbella, a heady mix of English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Ukrainian, Tagalog, Mandarin and a host of others can be heard. It upholds its reputation as the jewel of Costa del Sol by attracting a legion of  foreigners to its shores, to the tune of 1 in 4 of its residents (ie 25%). Spain as a country attracts on average 110 immigrants every single day. 

As more people seek out greener pastures overseas to relocate for work, lifestyle and retirement, the concept of home is becoming frayed. Many countries are also offering more long-term stay options such as retirement visa and digital nomad visa, further fanning such trend.

Moving overseas heightens our sense of self, re-awakes our forgotten sense of wonder, provides a chance to re-invent ourselves and it tickles our adventure bone.

Many who move overseas are motivated by better work or education prospects, change of lifestyle, for love, better climate, to start afresh, to fulfil a wanderlust or for retirement. Whatever the reasons, moving abroad means parting with an older way of life and learning to re-construct anew. While rejuvenating to some, it can be intimidating to others as it unleashes an avalanche of new sensations, emotions and learnings: sights, sounds, smell, taste, language, weather, social system, different ways of doing things…

For me, the farther I am away from Singapore, the stronger my need to stay connected to Singapore and to being Chinese. I insist on using chopsticks when eating at Chinese restaurants overseas even though in Singapore, I would reach for fork and spoon without a 2nd thought. I am more open to Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment in Amsterdam while in the past, I would ‘pooh pooh’ at acupuncture or cupping suggestions by my mom. 

I started to appreciate my culture more since moving away to live abroad. I have never adopted a western name like most Chinese who move abroad do. Partly because my given name pronounces like an English one anyway. I try to practise Mandarin every chance I get to keep my vocabulary alive. I prefer to cook Asian cuisine and proudly showcase these dishes whenever hosting dinner parties. Flavourful and delicious, Asian cuisine is always a crowd winner. Satay vs sausages, rendang vs risotto, laksa vs linguine – no brainer, right? My home decor is an eclectic mix of European and Asian furnishing, the only gadget missing is perhaps an electric rice cooker. 

From conversations with other friends who have moved overseas, we all feel a certain alienation as more time is spent in the new country. We start to loose touch with the happenings ‘back home’ as we stop following the political scene, national initiatives and daily news. It is not that we do not care anymore, but because we have limited bandwidth and our immediate environment and surroundings need to be our focus.  

The initial excitement and allure of moving overseas will eventually give way to a mellower existence once the sensory overload wanes. And a heightened sense of being and reflection will set in.

‘Home’ has been transported and re-defined and in the process the sense of self is called into question: who am I, what do I stand for, will I loose my sense of identity? There will be the inevitable comparison of what is better, or worse. A yearning for the people, things and sights we miss and more importantly, an awareness of the self we are re-creating, along with a new lifestyle. The better the preparation before the move, the stronger the sense of self. 

For those thinking of retiring overseas, make it a point to start understanding and establishing connection with your target destination as soon as possible. 

Visiting as a tourist – darting from one attraction to another, getting by with a smattering of thank you and hello in the local language – is not the same as dealing with the grind of daily living. Finding the best doctor, dentist, handy man, understanding the local healthcare system, insurance schemes, learning the local language and figuring out how to be integrated into the community. All these become part and parcel of creating a new home.

Many people say that ‘home is where the heart is.’ I think home is more complicated than that. It starts with the heart but extends beyond self to the surrounding. Home is a place where we can be ourselves and feel accepted, where we are supported and embraced. It provides a sense of belonging and security. It brings out the best in us and will always maintain a pull at our heartstrings. 

When the Ukrainian war broke, I was very moved by the stories of Ukrainian living overseas returning to bear arms to resist the Russian invasion. One of our contractors here in the Netherlands, who is Ukrainian, did exactly just that. He dropped everything and the life he has built up here to return to fight and protect his homeland, together with his son. I asked myself if I would do the same. While I do not know if I would indeed do so, I know I am definitely more prepared to stand up for Singapore than for the Netherlands, even though the latter is where I have called ‘home’ the past 3 years. 

There is a bridge near Amsterdam central station where every time I walk under it, I am struck by the poignant saying set in bricks along its wall, like an engraving. The saying goes:

Terugkomen is niet hetzelfde als blijven ~ Amsterdam bridge art

(Translation: Coming back is not the same as staying behind)

Going away opens up our world and helps us find answers and solutions. But at the same time, it also opens up questions about belonging, displacement, home and ourselves. It helps us understand ourselves better and in the process, we grow as individuals.

Isn’t it ironic?

While the world has opened up, it has become smaller. Though living overseas enriches our life, it also reduces our sense of identity. The world is our oyster, yet home is hard to find.

1 thing I know for sure: writing this as I fly through airspace from Amsterdam to Singapore, I am filled with anticipation and a warmth radiating from the pit of my stomach, with butterflies to boot. 

Home-coming….1 of the sweetest sensations in life and I’m feeling it! Yoo-hoo!

 

Homeward bound, 

Savvy Maveric

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are drawn from my own experience and do not constitute financial advise in any way whatsoever. Nothing published here constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content be relied upon for any investment activities. It is strongly recommended that independent and thorough research is undertaken before making any financial decisions, including consulting a qualified professional.