Cultural Identity and Expatriate Life

The speaker reflects on their cultural identity, feeling neither fully American nor English after living abroad for 13 years. As a newspaper reporter, they often feel like an outsider, which helps maintain the distance needed for effective writing. They consider themselves an expatriate and express a fondness for New York, feeling more at home there than in England. With two children who are now more English, the speaker contemplates returning to the U.S. if their children choose to attend college there. They also note the ease of traveling between the two countries, which facilitates maintaining connections.

How long has the speaker been living in a foreign country?

• 13 years

• 15 years

• 10 years

• 5 years

What does the speaker feel about their cultural identity?

• They feel completely American

• They feel completely English

• They feel neither fully American nor English

• They feel more English than American

What is one challenge the speaker mentions about being a newspaper reporter?

• Lack of job security

• Difficulty in finding stories

• Limited travel opportunities

• Always being on the outside of things

Why does the speaker find it hard to be part of any culture?

• They travel too much

• They have lived in too many countries

• Their job requires them to maintain distance

• They don't like cultural integration

What factor might influence the speaker's decision to return to New York?

• Cost of living

• Weather conditions

• Children's education

• Job opportunities

What does the speaker say about traveling between the two cities?

• It's time-consuming

• It's quite challenging

• It's very easy

• It's very expensive