My ESL student from Ecuador is returning home, leaving U.S. for good.

[CTyankee]

I am sorry to see him go. He says he is "homesick" which I believe but I also have read recently that Ecuador is offering all kinds of financial incentives to get their emigres back to Ecuador.

Jose is a model student and a very nice, considerate person. He was literate in his own language and had acquired very good English skills. My guess is that he gave up on any kind of hope for an "American dream" type of future here. More and more I despair that the immigrant of today will be able to do what his/her predecessors were able to do: rise out of direst poverty. Our ESL students who do best are those who already start out with some prior education. Our very poorest ESL students are stuck: they hold down as many low paying jobs as possible to just scrape by and have no time to attend our free classes. I don't blame them one bit, survival comes first.

I can only wonder if our Turkish community will be next. Ditto the Brazilian community, a large one here in New England. I've read positive things about their native countries lately.

A bright spot for us is the amazing immigrants from several African countries that are among the most disastrous, murderous societies on earth. Working with the refugee community gives me renewed hope on this country's promise...but I am sorry to say goodbye to Jose...

[Sherman A1]

1. I was in line at Walgreens photo the other day

talking to the guy in front of me. He said he is looking at Belize for retirement as he is not happy with what he is seeing here.

Odd, I was looking on line there as well a few weeks ago.

[lunatica]

2. I would go back to live in Mexico City if I could

I grew up there and married and had a son. After the divorce I had to come to the US because I couldn't work there as an American Citizen.

[CTyankee]

3. My optomitrist is from Bari, Italy. He is considering going back.

He has had to take a second job in a pizzeria and his wife had to return to full time work teaching. Otherwise, they can't afford to live here. Perhaps some of the Dalmation coastal areas of Italy would be OK, but Italy overall doesn't seem to be in a recovery.

Haven't read too much about Mexico and recovery.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I would not, but that is just me

the violence in Mexico City has really gotten bad... just as a FYI... and until the war on drugs is put to bed.

Oh and not me saying this based on the US Press. Me saying this based on Radio Reforma and other LOCAL media.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. interesting. thanks for posting this. I wish your ESL student well

[CTyankee]

5. Thanks...I feel like the canary in the coal mine on this issue...

people who come to this country with hope and just despair and go back (with promises of a better life than we can offer).

This is NOT a good sign...

[Monique1]

6. At a Thanksgiving get together

where my ex and I attended -my son in his 30's said to both of us - "I can't understand why you live here, if I had an option, I would leave this country in a heartbeat." I regret that I did not look into when I had the money. Life might be a little better. To be honest, I am tired of worrying if my pension is going to come next month and the same for SS or is it going to be cut maybe I can afford to live in a tent. I reared my two children by myself. worked 12-14 hours a day, doing lesson plans on weekends until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, doing laundry, cleaning and cooking on the weekends and I get slapped in the face now for doing my best. FU who don't care about others.

Those of you here who are living comfortable, don't snicker, the snicker might come to bite you in the butt plus it is not funny.

I am not going to worry if I get sick - I am going to give up.

[CTyankee]

8. I have a grandson learning Italian as a first grader in an innovative public school

in glendale, CA. It is an immersion program...90% of all teaching done in Italian...only 10% in English...it is his second year there and he is learning Italian rapidly...surpassing my skills attained in two college courses and some travel to Italy.

Altho he is of Italian American heritage, I do hope he will go to Italy someday, perhaps to study, and eventually end up there...somehow getting a foothold in their society...I do know two art scholars who married Italians and now live in Florence (heaven on earth!) with spouses and kids. I kinda dream that for "il mio nepote."

[eridani]

9. Good for him. Of course he has an advantage in that his brain is more suited

--to acquiring languages now than it will be in 10 years. Good for your school, too.

[SoCalDem]

13. Our son studied in Florence for a year, and he fell in LOVE with Italy

Spent a week of his honeymoon, a few years ago, there..

He traveled all over Europe the year he spent there

[lib2DaBone]

10. Sad commentary how the Politicians and Corporations have run this country into the ground...

"You gotta be asleep to believe The American Dream".

[malaise]

11. South America is booming

Lots of folks are heading home. I know people in the Caribbean heading for jobs in several parts of South America. We even have more students on exchange programs there these days.

[CTyankee]

12. Why do you think this is happening in South America?

[SoCalDem]

14. Right wiing governments finally have been booted out & seem to be staying booted out

When there was political instability and people disappearing in broad daylight, it was not hard to see why people wanted OUT...but things seem to be improving steadily:)

Maybe in my lifetime, I'll be able to go to Cuba & research my grandparent's lives there..

[social_critic]

16. Employment opportunities in the US are scarce

Don't forget, to get a visa which allows him to work legally this student needs to have special qualifications - that's the current system and there's very little this young guy can do about it.

Ecuador's economy isn't performing that well when compared to say Colombia, Brazil, or Peru, but it is growing a bit, a young person with english skills is evidently going to have better job prospects. Finally, you didn't tell us about his family background and current educational level - if he's in college or about to start college then his family may find it cheaper to pay for his education in Ecuador.

I know there will be some who explain this as economic growth driven by left wing policies, but that's a bit misplaced. Colombia isn't ruled by leftists, and it has torrid economic growth. So does Brazil, which has a leftist government but policies which carry over from previous moderate administrations. The key to Latin American economic growth has really been the high prices they get for commodities (agricultural products, minerals, oil). This growth in the world economy is primarily caused by the liberalization of economies in India and China, which are moving towards market economies rather than state central planning. These two countries, with 2.5 billion people in total, are pulling ahead at a very fast pace.

India is growing slower, but it is the largest democracy in the world, and it has been a welcome change to see them move away from state controls on the economy. Many injustices will have to be fixed, but this is easier to accomplish if they have the cash. China, on the other hand, is a strange case, they are still led by oligarchs who disguise themselves within the communist party, but are implementing savage capitalism - their economy grows fast, but environmental degradation and abuses of workers' and farmers' rights are common, and may lead to the overthrow of the regime in the future.

[CTyankee]

17. Have you read about this recent Ecuadorean program?

In addition to economic incentives back home, the Ecuadorean government is offering free one way airline tickets back to Ecuador. Thus, any immediate barriers to Jose's return are lessened. I find that fascinating. My guess is that they really need their better educated natives as their economy does grow...just a guess even tho I don't know on what basis they are growing. All I really know about him is that, based on the writing test I gave him, he has a very good comprehension of English and expresses himself well.

[rucky]

15. Jose, take me with you!