The problem with exchange programs.

Submitted by tcobb (United States), Apr 19, 2006 at 18:18

I think many of the "exchange" people from the thirld world, and not just Muslims, tend to view the experience in a negative manner. I don't have any real evidence other than the anecdotal kind, but it seems to me that this stems from the fact that most such people come from priveleged backgrounds. The poor simply don't have the money to come here. In their own countries everyone recognizes their status and treats them accordingly. But when they come here the American "peasants" don't really give a damn about how important they are in their own countries, and really don't react well to being treated like peons. They just view such people as being obnoxious foreigners, and treat them accordingly. I think this is where much of the resentment comes from. It seems to me that the poorer folks from such countries that come here do a better job of fitting in and considering it a positive experience than their more well to do countrymen.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".