My sister’s 20, a couple of years younger than me and I’ve always been protective of her. She’s at university in New York and has been dating a boy from Paraguay for about 2 years now. He’s met our parents and is very nice to me as well, and I think treats my sister kindly she’s very happy.
Ultimately he wants to go back home to his family, where I think he is quite well off. My sister said his father works in financial services there and they have a large house in the capital. He’s taking her there once the semester ends for a month and then said he wants them to move there when they graduate.
I feel it’s moving a little quickly but that’s not my business. However, my knowledge of Paraguay within Latam is pretty much non-existent, and I feel it doesn’t crop up much on this sub either.
Just wondering: does anyone have any insights on how difficult it will be for a white girl who speaks only basic Spanish to move to Asuncion? Because I told her I thought it would be difficult and I sensed she felt I wasn’t being supportive so I didn’t say too much after that.
Comments
A veces me olvido que Paraguay existe
Yeah, no. She’s not moving to Paraguay. She has no future there as a non-Spanish speaker, plus I don’t like the idea of a young woman moving into any country with a man where she has no support system.
where are yall from originally?
Changing countries because of a boyfriend? At 20 years old?
Do I need to say what I think?
I read there’s a growing expat community, which can help on making english speaking friends. Also, paraguay has integrated to the globalized world a lot in the last 20 years. In Argentina we think of them as very friendly and kind of similar to us culturally.
The social differences in Paraguay are very clearly marked. Poor people live pretty hard lives and rich people live super well. If he’s rich enough to study in the US, he’s probably doing really well. If anything, her visiting will give her a better understanding of the country and its culture. I grew up across the border from Paraguay and I love it and its people. Basic Spanish is all you need, she’ll for sure learn more and some guaraní if she eventually decides to move. My question to you is- why if you know nothing about the country (by your own admission) did you think it was a good idea to tell her it’d be harder to adjust than most other latam nations? Truth is, you don’t know. I think anybody has a real chance at assimilating any culture really if the intention is there. South America is pretty awesome and if she wants to give it a try, she might do really well. Maybe if she does and visits and loves it, it’d be useful for you to visit too so you can see it yourself and experience the culture first hand.
I don’t understand the problem.
my ex girlfriend was from Norway and she moved to Argentina and learned the language within 6 months.
we lived together for 2 years. From Patagonia, to Mar de Plata, to the falls of Iguazú.
We eventually broke up since we had different lifestyles once
Anyway. not sure what she’s up to but she learned spanish and was getting around fine without me.
I don’t understand the problem.
if your sister has a college degree she’s fine. m
she can even get a remote job like most people do given her english (assuming that’s how they speak to eachother if she doesn’t speak spanish) and make well above the average for the country of paraguay.
It won’t be so bad. Make sure you call her every week and go see her every now and then.
If his family is rich then she is probably going to live an easier life than in the usa. Paraguay is a western Christian culture country, it will take a couple of years to adapt but she should be fine.
You’re not being supportive. Nowhere in your post mentions what she wants. You just erased her pov about her own life decisions. It’s just what the guy wants and you trying to scare her.
What does she want? That’s what you root for if you want to be supportive.
Would it be difficult? Migration always is. But from your description of the guy’s situation she would be moving into a small wealthy social group within the city. His social circle likely speaks English. Paraguay is doing pretty well nowadays. Her worse enemy will probably be the heat.
Sopa paraguaia = corn meal cake
I’m from Paraguay, people here are very friendly, we are known for being nice to foreigners and just laid back people in general. If he’s studying in NY and doesn’t have a scholarship or something like that he’s probably from a rich family.
However, job opportunities here if she doesn’t speak Spanish are almost non existent. Unless she works at the embassy or something like that. She can always get a remote job, if it comes to her really moving here.
Ask whatever you want!
Is he older tho
If he is rich in assuncion he will be fine, as any rich peolple would be anywhere. Id much rather be rich there than nit rich in the usa.
Quick question, if you know nothikg of paraguai why do you think it would be hard to adjust to the country? Wouldnt a normal reaction be “not knowing” or something?
I have nothing to say about your sister’s particular situation, but I’d like to say that in general, it’s very difficult NOT to adjust in most countries in South America, certainly including Paraguay. We’re not very hung up about people coming from abroad at all. We are at least neutral, and in many cases, welcoming to foreigners.
Your sister has to think more of the particular family she’s coming into than the country in general – in that regard she’ll probably be just fine.
Let her decide for herself bro, she’s going there for vacations no? She’ll know then, if Paraguay is guay indeed.
Paraguay on itself is ok, the life quality there is pretty good (specialy if he is upper class) and she won’t be a fish out of water because she is white as you think (paraguay have a very sizeble caucasian population) and it’s people are a very friendly.
But she is 20 years old, come on man, she is too young for such a move
All I can say is that as far as violence and chaos, Paraguay is nowhere near the top. That doesn’t mean it is a paradise, but it can be a nice place to live if you have the means. Having said this, it more of her choice than yours, let her live her life.
I did something similar (to chile), making that decision almost 20 years ago in my 20s. If you’re gonna do it, in your 20s is when to do it. I would recommend being married if she’s abandoning a career and having children can be complicated (I have seen a number of major issues with fellow extranjeras married to local men). Luckily my husbands family is quite international so we haven’t had issues but some women get stuck. Anyway, I’m happy to talk to her about it if she’d like.
And what’s the problem with that? The fact that Paraguay isn’t often mentioned in the media is actually a good thing, our country has been relatively stable and growing for several years now. I’d even say your sister would be much safer here than in most other LATAM countries. Honestly, I just see a lot of prejudice in your post.
My mother is American and marry my father who was Mexican and move here. One of the most solid marriages I ever knew. She loves life in Mexico and never cross her mind moving back to the US when my father passed away. Know several women in the same situation and they love living in Mexico, they never consider moving back to the US when their husbands passed away. All of them where assimilated to Mexican culture and love it. All of them where in good financial position and live a very confortable life. One of them try moving back to the US for a year and back, she said she didn’t fit there anymore
In my personal opinion, I don’t think any woman that has supportive family and friends, education, stability and a good life should leave her country to follow a man. Especially if it is HIS country, it doesn’t matter what country it is, if you don’t know the language and have nobody to count on, its a very uncertain situation to find yourself into. Not a man in the world is worth it
>Knowing nothing about the country
What are you doing with a Paraguay flair, then?
Edit: OP has changed it 👍
It could be OK, but she needs a backup plan. It’s not like she can work in Paraguay. What happens if they break up? I think moving to a different country specifically for someone is almost always a bad choice, unless you really thought it out well. Especially one that’s so far. If you told me Mexico or something well that’s pretty nearby to the US. Paraguay is far as hell.
It’s also worth noting that while Paraguay is growing, Asuncion isn’t exactly on the level of most cities she’d be used to. It could be a big shock.
Asuncion is supposed to be really nice. Plus it’s easy to visit Buenos Aires, Santiago, Curitiba and of course Foz do Iguaçu – which is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
But in terms of general life…honestly, since your sisters partner is probably middle class or even above that…it might be something of a let down in terms of how unexotic and normal the southern cone can be to an American. A lot of going to the mall. A lot of streets that look like if middle America spent a summer in Spain and took some Iberian inspiration. A lot of apartment buildings that’ll be very familiar. Even the level of danger that people talk about isn’t a big deal for an American, Baltimore or Detroit or New Orleans are a million times more dangerous for example than anywhere in Paraguay.
Paraguay mentioned!
One of my best friends is paraguayo, and I have some passing familiarity with Paraguay.
Asunción, especially from the social class that can afford to live/study abroad? It’ll be a super comfortable existence. Now, if it was Ciudad del Este or one of the areas along the Rio Paraná, I’d be a little hesitant if I didn’t speak Spanish fluently, but not in Asunción.
Just advise her to carry her passport when she goes to buy electronics so she won’t get charged the import taxes.
Being a white girl has nothing to do with this. Southern cone countries are largely or mostly white, especially the upper class. I don’t specifically know about Paraguay, but I’m certain it’s the same. Furthermore, there are plenty of people from the US in Latam capitals, she’ll go mostly unnoticed. Language barrier might be an issue though, but it should be fine if she’s with the guy’s family.
Honestly, the issue is not really where she’s moving, but rather if she’s willing to move, or if there are career opportunities for her, stuff like that.
Mid-upper class in Asuncion means you live very comfortably. Low taxes, stable currency. Food is great, good restaurants and cafes, a lot of conveniences that you don’t get in other places, sports clubs and social activities. Public spaces, traffic, transport and some infrastructure are all lacking, which is the main drawback.
Not hearing about the country means it’s doing good and it doesn’t have tons of people that need to emigrate due to poverty or poor sociopolitical conditions. Besides, it’s Paraguay, not a muslim country that’s in war, or a country with a very different culture, like an asian or nordic country.
Paraguayan here. I’d say it’s a pretty safe country (trust me, I’ve done my fair share of traveling). Like, using my phone on the streets at night and even falling asleep on the bus with it in my hands (ugh i know) plenty of times without any issues.
people here love gringos (sadly, mostly stemming from a weird inferiority complex). I’m not saying it’s the safest place ever and you should just throw any precautions out of the window, but as far as other LATAM countries go, she’s not going to face a lot of problems.
She’ll probably have a harder time getting used to the heat lmao. Also it seems he’s rich (for paraguayan standards) so she’s likely going to have a pretty good life here.
And no, she’s not going to feel out of place as a white girl. There’s like, plenty of white ppl here dw. and a lot of gringos as well.
edit: my comment got removed bc i forgot the flair 😭😭 posting it again.
Paraguay is safest option in LatAm, safer than average US. People are super friendly, but only if you want to communicate. English knowledge seems nonexistent, but everyone speaks Spanish.
Asuncion is hot as hell, but in summer it should be fine.
There are expat communities in Asuncion and Encarnacion.