Digital nomads from the U.S. who roam the world say their time overseas permits them to acknowledge — and even respect — facets of American life and the privilege of American id.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Some issues grow to be clearer with a ways – like dwelling. The farther you journey out of your native nation, the clearer you could possibly see it. And through the years, extra Individuals have left the U.S. to roam the world as digital staff. NPR’s Frank Langfitt just lately spoke with a few of them, and so they mentioned they solely gained insights into sure facets of American tradition and id after they left the U.S.
FRANK LANGFITT, BYLINE: Michael Jensen has spent the final eight years touring and dwelling together with his husband in 30 completely different nations. Jensen credit his wanderlust to America’s pioneering spirit and the encouragement to discover the world.
MICHAEL JENSEN: I’ve had the liberty as an American to reinvent myself again and again. There was no societal norm holding me in place.
LANGFITT: Drive and arduous work fueled the American dream. Jensen says many Individuals need to stand out, however he discovered that some individuals in another nations do not. He got here throughout the next idea in Australia.
JENSEN: There’s one thing known as the tall poppy syndrome. The thought of that’s, you do not need to be taller than all people else, and for those who do, they will minimize you down. Individuals, for those who talked concerning the tall poppy syndrome, they’d be like, what the hell? I imply, that is ridiculous. In fact, you need to be the tallest poppy you’ll be able to probably be, and that is celebrated.
LANGFITT: Jensen thinks many traits of American life minimize each methods. The USA’ $30 trillion financial system creates large client alternative. Jensen compares a grocery retailer in England – the place he was dwelling once we spoke – with a Fred Meyer superstore in Seattle.
JENSEN: Right here you go to the grocery retailer, and, you recognize, there is a wholesome collection of chips. However after I take a look at the chip aisle in a Fred Meyer, it is 30, 40 ft lengthy of each completely different mixture of chip. You recognize, on one hand, certain, it is nice. You may have each sort of chip you need. Then again, it feels absurd and overwhelming.
LANGFITT: Michael Kohler is a screenwriter who’s lived in additional than 16 nations over the previous 9 years. One factor his travels have taught him is that Individuals are comparatively very chatty.
MICHAEL KOEHLER: Folks from completely different nations have positively identified that apparently, I discuss loads, which is hilarious as a result of I believe by American requirements, I am pretty introverted.
LANGFITT: Koehler recalled watching a sundown from a balcony in Poland with a girl he was excited by.
KOEHLER: And I used to be, like, man, simply take a look at that sundown. Oh, you see these birds? And he or she goes, Michael, sure, I see the sundown. I see the birds. Can we simply not point out the sundown and the birds as a result of I’ve my pair of eyes as nicely?
LANGFITT: In coworking areas, Koehler observed Individuals had been usually the final to go away, reinforcing a repute for business rooted within the Protestant work ethic – a repute that some in Europe additionally make enjoyable of. Koehler cites a meme about out-of-office messages a few years in the past.
KOEHLER: The European out-of-the-office – I will be on trip for the following 5 weeks. For those who e mail me, I am going to get again to you after that. The American out-of-office – hey, so I am getting into for kidney surgical procedure. I in all probability am going to should duck out round, like, 4 p.m., however I will be again up and working at, like, 5:30.
STEPHANIE PERRY: My title is Stephanie Perry, and I see the world as a home sitter.
LANGFITT: Perry started roaming the world full-time in 2018. She helps her journey by taking care of different individuals’s houses. Perry additionally occurs to be Black. She says she discovered that when she’s abroad, individuals see her as American first and that she’s much less more likely to encounter racism.
PERRY: After I’m out of the US, I by no means have to arrange for somebody to mistreat me. A few of that’s that individuals robotically know I am American and I…
LANGFITT: And is it due to the way you costume, the way in which you maintain your self?
PERRY: Undoubtedly the Previous Navy garments. It is in all probability the way in which I smile. I am smiling at individuals and saying good morning to individuals, proper? Very American, and that comes with privileges. And there are a variety of locations the place the American privilege will far outweigh no matter anti-Blackness they could expertise.
LANGFITT: Perry is straightforward to peg as an American. She has a relaxed confidence and heat character. Perry remembers sitting on a barrier at a mall in Malaysia, ready to observe a water present.
PERRY: The safety guard got here by and made everybody transfer off of a barrier, and he let me simply sit there, proper (laughter)? He was identical to, she do not know. Let the American do what she needs to do.
LANGFITT: Perry runs a enterprise that helps fellow Black ladies plan lives overseas. She feels extra comfy abroad and says she has no plans to return to the U.S. to stay anytime quickly. Frank Langfitt, NPR Information.
Copyright © 2025 NPR. All rights reserved. Go to our web site phrases of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for additional info.
Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts could differ. Transcript textual content could also be revised to right errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org could also be edited after its authentic broadcast or publication. The authoritative report of NPR’s programming is the audio report.
