What Is It Like To Be a Foreigner in Your Home Country

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Meet Elena! Born and raised in Singapore, she is still technically considered a foreigner. She shared with me how Singapore has changed throughout her life, the top hidden and unique spots to visit here, and how she feels about being a native-born resident yet holding an Employment Pass. Enjoy!
Elena on LinkedIn: / elena-tsvetkova-financ...
Elena's website: www.financialadvicesingapore....
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:30 Birth Story
02:00 The reactions of the Singaporeans
02:41 About Citizenship
03:40 How do people invest in Singapore?
05:31 Life in Singapore in the 2000s
07:17 Was rules in Singapore stricter?
08:28 Does Lena feel like alocal?
09:00 Top places to visit in Singapore
10:38 Crazy stories in Singapore
11:40 What Lena doesn't like about Singapore:)
WATCH NEXT:
► Pros & Cons of Living in Singapore as a Foreigner: • Pros & Cons of Living ...
► What is it like to live in Singapore since 1989: • What is it like to liv...
► Why this American decided to live in Singapore: • Why this American deci...
LET'S BE FRIENDS:
► My Instagram (use the translate button to read the posts 😇): / chernov_networking
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Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners in Singapore. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in this vibrant city-state. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between Singaporeans and the global community with a focus on cultural exchange.
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#ExpatLife #MaxChernov #Singapore

[@AlexiaJqt]

I think we should avoid making judgments about an individual's cultural identity based solely on a single video. While accents can indeed reflect one's cultural background, there is a phenomenon called code-switching, which is familiar to multicultural or bicultural individuals. For example, multicultural or bicultural people may adapt their language or accent depending on the audience they are communicating with. They might use one language or accent when speaking to certain individuals and a different language or accent in other situations. This flexibility can extend to using one language or accent at home and another at school. I grew up in the south of France, where the accent(s) are distinctive, yet I don't speak with a southern French accent at home or when interacting with non-southern French people. In my case, we used a standard French accent at home when I was a child. Does that make me any less of a local? Accent variations are common, and individuals may have different accents when conversing with different people, even within their own community. Here Lena speaks with Max, who is not Singaporean. It's entirely possible that she adopts a different accent when conversing with other Singaporeans. The way someone speaks in one particular context does not define their entire cultural identity!

[@MaxChernov]

100%! Thanks for the comment!

[@the.mystictraveller]

Actually she sounds American/Australian... Hmmm

[@chua2237]

Only bumiputra can call native, they are son of the soil, France was founded on Africa, Africa pay colonial tax to France.

[@citrasavitri3332]

You're totally right and I haven't really thought about this. My children are Italian citizens, lived in Singapore until kindergarten, now they're teenagers and we are living in Canada. They kind of have 2 accents when they speak English... Canadian accent that they use with their friends, and a kind of neutral accent that they use with relatives and when we're not in Canada.

[@adnyc82]

I don’t think her cultural identity is what people are fixated on, but rather the fact that she refers to her accent as American despite it having a very noticeable Australian component. I assumed she was Australian until she said she’s Russian, and then when she said her accent was “American,” I thought “Huh?” I’m familiar with code switching, but people don’t just spontaneously adopt an Australian accent unless they lived there or learned English from Australian people, television, etc.

[@Aceospady]

I lived and work in Singapore for almost 15 years until deciding to move somewhere else. I can say that the safety and security in Sg is top notch. You walk alone at 3AM and you know that you’ll reach home unscratched. They say that it is the most expensive country to live at, but that depends on how you look at it. Probably the housing and rental prices are expensive. But with food, You can have a decent delicious food at an affordable price in hawker centers. You spend less than SGD10 already includes my fave teh-C 😂 Owning a car can just be a luxury to many people because the public transport is so efficient i could not compare it with anywhere else.

[@Richgirl4]

in SG you cant find normal edible food that is not fried and that is affordable, everything that is tasty, healthy, costs a lot of money in cafe and restaurants

[@hermangouw]

Why are you moving somewhere else then?

[@Stonely1974]

I am in my 50s now but back then when i was a teen, i hang out with a bunch of expat kids from United World College. I remember 1 German, speaks perfect hokkien, 1 Japanese guy, speaks perfect Mandrian. It was all fun and crazy until someone gets into trouble with the law and most time, we were let off magically. There were no internet, when we want free booze, we will sign them out at American Club or Tanglin Club, or any other country club because most of their parent belong to some club in town! our fav night spot was Zouk, we dance on tables at HardRock Cafe, we did crazy things under the stars with stuff u cannot imagine. At the back of Zouk, just where the road ends and sloped into the river, behind a huge shipping container, we lie down there, smoking stuff... Alot of fist fights after a nights drinking, alot of parties cut short due to our inability to avoid troubles. We sneak into Hotel ballroom to spend the nite, most time we crash out in cheap hotel after parties and get stone. Those were the days! Its not as strict as now, you can do crazy stuff and get away with it because there were no CCTV every where back then. Now... you better be a good citizen

[@MaxChernov]

Legend!

[@bell-xk5dd]

Interesting...you’re a true Singaporean 😂👍

[@RonLarhz]

@@bell-xk5dd Nah. It's 3rd world sgreans....or chao ah bengs.....

[@SuccessforLifester]

The one that got away from the Michael Fay and gang ?

[@rjjrjehehew]

You could get away with this because LKY did not even get his bearings yet. Are you still so proud of yourself after so many years.

[@MajorBlitz]

You know she's basically singaporean when she was born here and still complains about the heat like the rest of us haha

[@MaxChernov]

Lol

[@rabbitazteca23]

she is not. Many westerners are born in Asia and don't really immerse themselves in the local. They go to international schools. There is NOTHING local or Singaporean about these people. They are westerners

[@anchored555]

Everyone complains about the heat including tourists. Sorry, but just being born here but of foreign citizen parentage, and complaining about the heat, and loving chicken rice, are not enough to qualify as Singaporean. Don’t mean to be mean, but it is what it is.

[@s_shaleh]

​@@anchored555But aside from being born and raised here, she's also been working here her entire adult life and thus has been contributing to Singapore's economy. She also shares many memories of places of interest that no longer exist today with us locals and I find that very touching. Honestly, I'd take her over some of the foreigners who have already gotten their citizenship but refuse to assimilate into the local community. You see them all the time during lunch time in the office bringing their own lunch boxes with their home-made meals. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about saving money, but if all you ever eat is your own home country's food, then that's pretty messed up to me.

[@anchored555]

@@s_shaleh I’m not sure how integrated she is into local society. She may have been accidentally born here (since SG was the closest port when she was due), but she sounds 100% westerner, went to international schools and grew up in an expat community. Does she have any local friends, or does she hang out only with fellow expats? During the British colonial days, there was a segment of white people who lived lives insulated from the rest of local society, and I’m not sure we want to bring that back. At most as PRs, but probably not as citizens, particularly since the demand is so great right now, and we need to consider social cohesion and commitment when we add on new PRs/citizens. Will they stay to defend SG with us in the event of an enemy attack, or will they be on the first plane out?

[@user-oh6wb5rj2q]

In Singapore there’s this term called “Ang Moh Lang” that’s why

[@cpcxgsr]

I’m more fixated with her accent. Even though she was born in SG, her accent sounds more Australian… listening to her speak, I would never think she’s Singaporean. She doesn’t have that Malaysian/Singaporean twang

[@adnyc82]

I was thinking the same. She said it’s American, but it sounds more Australian to me

[@cpcxgsr]

@@adnyc82 the other commenter mentioned, code switching. Where one can adapt different accents during certain situations. Which I totally understand. My family is from Hong Kong. But my family can speak their native dialect (taishanese) whenever they are speaking with their older relatives (80yo+). But when they are casually speaking with everyone else, they speak with their regular Hong Kong Cantonese accent. But with this chick, her English sounds more “American” but with an occasional “Australian” twang. She must have been international schooled. That would be my guess

[@adnyc82]

@@cpcxgsr That would make sense. It’s just interesting that she doesn’t seem to notice.

[@eslgurucalif]

The vocal fry affectation she uses and her "uptalking" are definitely influenced by young American women.

[@JustinSCampbell]

Agree. I'm Australian, and she sounded Australian to me.

[@leenahkaing1507]

What a great story from my amazing best friend. GO ELENA ❤

[@LangLang5689]

She's definitely a citizen, in the fullest meaning of it. Dedicated life to that place and stikl on EP, haha, this is pure discrimination - the one could not imagine anything like this for some Chinese folk 😅

[@bvtfishing]

Great vid, glad to have u as a fellow resident!

[@edgyguy8240]

No one born and raised here speaks like that. I have neighbours who were from China. Their kids who grew up here, speak like locals. This lady doesn't. If she grew up here, she didn't mix around with locals.

[@kaiwenloh783]

That's true. They speak Chinese accented Mandarin with their parents but speak local Mandarin and Singlish with their friends in school.

[@SuccessforLifester]

Last time in my report book, there is this Place of Birth. I wrote K K hospital. The teacher cancelled it and wrote Singapore.

[@ummiramli6554]

Formerly known as Kandang Kerbau Hospital (Buffalo pen hospital). Renamed KK Women's and Children's hospital. My two sisters and daughter were born in the old building now LTA office building. My son and granddaughter were born in the current building. Should be country of birth : Singapore.

[@flyer320neo]

Just wanna encourage you to keep trying and be hoping for you to get your PR one day 🙏 Be supporting you in spirit !

[@azureliteyahoo]

Here's my take. an expat colleague put their kids in local primary 1. 6-12 months later they got their PR. They were only here 2 years. Maybe ICA see that as an integration effort. If I'm not planning to stay long term, my kids will go to international schools. easier to move on to the next Int'l school in another country.

[@8181nuky]

Hi Elena. I am a Singaporean and I hope you get your citizenship soon! ICA, not sure what your SOP / protocol is, but if there is no good reason not to give her citizenship, then grant her citizenship!

[@Janovial]

She could be a spy

[@monalisaaltenburg4879]

Spy on what?? She has never lived in Russia before, hello? ​@@Janovial

[@SuccessforLifester]

Going out to get a special dinner back then was much simpler, like going to Ponderosa, Slizzer, pizza buffet at Pizza Hut, Denny's free birthday meal. Then later we have Cafe Cartel. For Chinese we have eg the Swatow Teochew restaurant..

[@michellebo8173]

Yesss...Denny's diner....our favourite hangout after clubbing....the hot plate pork chop and spaghetti was so good and free flow of coffee....missed it so much

[@michaellfh]

I remember Milano pizza. I think they were at Orchard Plaza.

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@michaellfh I also tried I think Hot Rock, where we cooked our own meat on a piece of hot rock

[@jiranma]

Actually, Singapore had a pretty wide variety of F&B eateries. Japanese food has always been popular here and we did have quite a few others besides Sushi Tei, even in the 70s-80s. They just closed down due to retail rental pressure. Korean restaurants were already available in the 80s too; it just wasn't as popular back then. Even French, Mexican, etc., they were really available too in the 70s, 80s. Italian cuisine is/was very popular too. Hotels' F&B eateries were really big back then as well and they really were of very high quality, much better than what we see now. Overall, Singapore do have a lot more eateries, but food quality has slipped by a lot and prices just through the roof.

[@chompythechomperchomp]

my wife was on ep too. she have been here since like 13 and after our wedding her PR got approved.

[@normanis]

Lena has been in Singapore for over 24 years? My wife from NL has been in Singapore for 10+ years, half the time Lena did, has never studied here, but sounds WAY more local than Lena. She may have spent her entire life in Singapore, but with the expat community. So to me, that isn't very 'local'. Then again, we do not know her well enough, so who knows. 🤷

[@johnwig285]

Well you first pick up ur accent from your parents before your friends or locals. Her parents arent Singaporeans. Singaporeans can easily fake some British accent after going on a holiday, so what? Accents dont mean anything.

[@monalisaaltenburg4879]

U are right..She sounds more aussie to me than Singaporean..its possible that she grew up here mixing more with aussie kids..

[@UwaisGhulam]

Living her life may bring an identity issue. She just doesnt feel like she belongs anywhere!

[@forbeginnersandbeyond6089]

Her English accent is a mix of Australian, British and American. Can’t hear any Singaporean though, nor Russian.

[@monalisaaltenburg4879]

Yes u are right..She sounds more aussie to me than Singaporean..I think maybe she grew up mixing more with aussie kids?..

[@sugarly69]

Hey max shout-out to you. Really like what you're doing here with channel. Bringing people together :) really appreciate it.

[@SCPtp]

Maybe she was born and raised here, but sounds like she only mixed with the expat community and never really integrated. When you mix with the locals, you get a lot of their accent too.

[@johnwig285]

False, ur accent is first determined by ur household, social circle second. Think of the differences between a Chinese, malay n Indian accent. All stem from household. U think what she's like Singaporeans who fake British accent after 1 week holiday in London? It is easy for her to pretend n fake Singlish etc but for what?

[@Hllee6428]

She sounds Irish/Scottish/American with a slight hint of Russian (her ethnicity). Likely edcuated at an International school

[@bandofbros8112]

I have only been there once, but it was awesome. Used to go out in Clarke Quay in 2015. Also had the SG50 at that time, was a cool experience.

[@MichaelGGarry]

The amount of people who still think because you are born somewhere you can get citizenship in that place. This only works in the USA and a couple of other places. Everywhere else its all to do with the citizenship of your parents. My born and raised in Singapore kids are also still foreigners. At one stage my kids primary school made the "Foreign" kids vote for the best Singaporean student - some of who had not been born in Singapore. Which was pretty hard to take.

[@journette]

Ouch. 😢

[@simonj_23]

Yep 100% My kids were born and raised in UAE (Dubai) but can never be citizens and had to take the citizenship from me as there father, of a country they have never lived in (NZ)

[@85ewan]

I was reading the subtitles and when the part when she says "Shenton Way" even with the map the spelling is wrong. Also, did she say she's from here in Bukit Batok?

[@suivzmoi]

interesting accent. her R's are rhotic which is american, but the TT's are distinct and more English. then the vowels are sometimes Australian.

[@veins101]

For someone who lived in Singapore for sooo long and can pronounce Bukit Batok etc. that’s sus.

[@moonbaywalk]

That LC500 at 2:13 ❤

[@sagepirotess6312]

Omg the heat... I can relate... born in California ok weather but love cold like s korea.... anyway moved to Vietnam married, opened business, built, own a home.... but the heat..... is the one thing that I despise throughout most the country

[@jt5566]

You have a lot of videos on foreigners that are white. But there are definitely a lot of Asians that come from western countries who blend right in to local Singapore culture and feel totally local and sound local. Like myself including.. :D

[@etienne8382]

So big question - where do you find the best chicken rice! I used to live in Toa Payoh more than a decade ago, really miss Singapore. Always loved to go to the wet market for breakfast.

[@Bullitc]

I can hear AUS, Brit and Scottish accents peeking here and there haha

[@kayflip2233]

Doesn't remotely sound British or Scottish. 100% Australian. Listen to how she pronounces "home" or "no".

[@alf-jonnystreberge2810]

hmm. I got Permanent Resident card after I studied there and a Passport after I graduated. im originaly from Norway so I had duel citisenship. I lived there for 9 years but now im back in Norway and after my Singapore passport went out of date I just decided to not get a new one since I live here now. Singapore has changed a lot over the years and it, has become to expensive for me now. But its still my must go place to visit every time I go to Asia.

[@joshhow8090]

Gum ban was due to littering and causing train doors to become stuck, resulting in train service disruptions. Although the distruptions are till...oh well ..

[@michaellfh]

I don't think there was a time when citizenship was granted on the basis of being born in Singapore. If I'm not wrong, at least one parent has to be Singaporean to be a citizen at birth. Place of birth doesn't matter.

[@MichaelGGarry]

Not just Singapore but the vast majority of countries around the world.

[@shchyesh]

i have encountered once where my ex colleague who was born in Singapore and have never stayed in Singapore prior to her relocating with her angmo husband. she got her citizenship within months and her objective of getting one is to buy NEW HDB ❤

[@rjjrjehehew]

​@@shchyesh messed up.

[@michaellfh]

@@shchyesh So the question now would be... Was at least one of her parents a Singapore citizen at the time of her birth? If so, she is a citizen by birth. Where she lived doesn't change that.

[@shchyesh]

@michaellfh i dont think so... my understanding her parents are Malaysian

[@MaxChernov]

Is Lena local or foreigner in Singapore?

[@clementng7718]

Local 👍🥰

[@chumi05]

Very local😅

[@zenweaver]

Local of course.

[@imycunt372]

Dead local.

[@xllvr]

Local 100%

[@Ra3_ar1adnE]

Its actually rather neat to see other natives born and raised in Singapore despite not being asian. I'm american by blood but was born and raised by my grandparents and basically lived the singaporean lifestyle lmao, its still funny that I spoke better mandarin than my chinese friends though I don't chinese or looking the way I am and speaking singlish sometimes.

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

Born in SG does not entitle to anyone ( foreigner ) to be a citizen automatically but only if one of their parent is singaporean.

[@HyperHorse]

It's about time the government to be more inclusive and less racist!!!!

[@applehead7942]

@@HyperHorse Pretty sure the government have always been inclusive but they prioritise the locals more than the PRs. Thats why PRs dont have many benefits as compared to Singaporeans (more subsidy, more financial assistance). Besides, PRs generally earn a lot more than the local. So no surprise there.

[@SuperValue350]

She doesn't have a Singaporean accent at all, despite her claims of being born and raised in Singapore. Yeah, I don't doubt that she's born here, but the accent is a strong indication that she's not telling her full story, especially in regards to how she integrates or mingles with the locals and the local culture.

[@garettjames6349]

Lol. Been here 10 years, applied twice for PR. I guess I'll stop trying now. If you're born and raised here and can't get PR, I guess just give up.

[@CT-ku1ee]

Max, her husband is Singaporean? if Singaporean will be easier maybe try to get PR 1st?

[@alvinkoh5556]

I couldn’t detect a single bit of singaporean accent in her speech. Pretty surprising that she grown up here but speaks like an American. That could only mean that she don’t really mix with the locals.

[@MaxChernov]

She does. But she studied in Canadian international school.

[@kayflip2233]

Huh? She has zero American accent. It's Australian.

[@alvinkoh5556]

@@kayflip2233 no different. They are all foreign accents. You don't call that localized. She is just a westerner born in Singapore, that's all.

[@rabbitazteca23]

@@alvinkoh5556 agreed. Can't even speak Singaporean Mandarin, Tamil, or Malay.... such a shame

[@teojoel9612]

​@Max Chernov There are a group of people who are expat children that grew up in singapore attending international school and not mixing with many locals as locals are not allowed to attend international school when they are younger. Only under special circumstances are they allowed. This group of people have been here their whole lives but are not fully integrated into society but are still part of unique singapore.

[@envitech02]

The late Datuk Bro Vincent Corkery was an Irishman who came to Malaya just after the war to teach in Catholic mission schools. He passed away in 2016 but has always called Malaya and Malaysia his home for the last 59 years of his life. Speaks great Malay French Latin apart from his native English. In fact I learnt Japanese from him. Had he been alive today he'd be a great guy to talk to. My respects to great people like Bro Vincent who guided thousands of his students, me among them.

[@chua2237]

Religion is foreplay to colonization,, language can be a tool to colonize ppl, Kishore believed he is ethnically interior.

[@sierrafife]

I'd like to know who does your subtitles? Where is Chun Tin Way???? The proper spelling is clear in the video itself. And Clarky?? As opposed to Clark Quay?

[@humanshieldz]

Long time ago the Vivocity area used to be call World Trade Center 😂 I didn't go there for a long time and they renovated and renamed it so during Sept 11, 2001 when it happened it i thought it was Singapore cos i was in Australia then 😛

[@MaxChernov]

wow! Interesting

[@llysender]

world trade center was renamed Habourfront center, vivo is the newer one

[@SuccessforLifester]

Interesting. I almost forgot the existence of world trade centre. Used to go there for exhibitions, especially of pottery and ceramics and bonsai

[@sgfakesoprano7949]

World Trade Centre is now Harbour Front Shopping Mall. Before Vivo City was build, I recall there were shophouses, pubs and clubs dated back in the 90s. I was a kid back then. Long before there was a monorail to Sentosa from Vivo City, there was a bus service from Seah Im bus interchange. I recalled buying cheap fruit juice for SGD$0.90 at Seah Im hawker centre next to the bus interchange back in early year 2000.

[@enigmaticrandom386]

Omg! World Trade Center! Memory unlocked.

[@ordoabchao4202]

I'm an "Expat" Singapore for 2.5y now. I feel it's a strange place in the sense that Expat chidren and mixed children can grow up very different and separated from "true locals". Part of it is even wanted by the government e.g. by prohibiting (or severly restricting) foreign (i.e. non-PR ir citizen) children to go to local schools but go to international schools instead. Wich makes makes for a very different experience from growing up in a heartland HDB and going to a local school. Would be interest to hear what young folks in Sg think about that.

[@anchored555]

There are good reasons for the government restricting the number of foreign children attending local schools eg these tend to be highly state subsidised, so of course, especially when demand exceeds supply, they prioritise local children. If local children are displaced by foreign children, this also becomes a sensitive political issue for the government at the ballot box. Local schools teach our national curriculum which, on top of emphasising academic excellence, also teach children about national identity and good citizenship, which may not be suitable for foreigners. So the government does make efforts to ensure that public schools popular with expatriates do not exceed a certain quota in order to ensure the schools do not lose their core Singaporean identity. The demand for education in our public schools is high because SG is known to have one of the best education systems in the world. If we did not limit the numbers of foreign students in our schools, we might well get inundated.

[@ordoabchao4202]

@hhmchan I understand and don't disagree with the reasons you list. But of course this leads to a very different experience for Expat and local children, and the fact that Expat children will not adopt a Sigapore identity, which again might be desired by government. Just an observation. BTW, it's not the same in other countries. I am from Europe and foreigners there (migrant workers, refugees etc.) have full access to the public school system even if they don't pay any tax. And the locals are forced to pay up...

[@anchored555]

@@ordoabchao4202 It’s a different philosophy. You mention Europe, which interestingly, is now showing signs of serious social strain due to the huge numbers of foreign migrants taken in. SG does not have the luxury of indulging in such social experiments. From our past history, we are well aware of how delicate and fragile social and racial harmony can be, and so we try to keep the status quo in equilibrium. And because we are so small and crowded, we cannot and do not take in refugees. If we did, we might well sink from the numbers trying to come here. In an ideal world with unlimited resources, we can admit anyone who wants to come. But the reality is that we have limited space and resources, and so must prioritise who gets them. Obviously, citizens, and then PRs, come first. Even if a foreigner cannot get his child into a local school, if he really wants more local interaction for his child, he can still choose to live in the HDB heartland, and perhaps send his child to extracurricular activities that allow him to interact with local children?

[@ordoabchao4202]

@hhmchan I agree with you again. The immigration policies in Europe are ludicrous and are causing huge issues, I'm happy Sg stays clear of such nonesense. That's one of the reasons i like it here so much :)

[@anchored555]

@@ordoabchao4202 I’m glad you do. Enjoy your stay here.

[@envitech02]

Max, you can also interview a Mat Salleh here in KL. He's been here since the 80s. Ini orang Jerman boleh pandu kapal terbang dan juga cakap Melayu. You can catch him most days at Subang Airport. Interesting and friendly gentleman.

[@aloisiussi4635]

She live in Singapore whole life but in a expat bubble as seen in International school photos, hardly any photos hanging out with locals. Work in Expat circle and i dare say probably did not attend main Universities - NUS or NTU or even SMU. Usually if you graduate from there, and work, you get PR, no problem. She probably has other plans not to take up Citizenship

[@blinkjetimmersion]

Many people from a Caribbean background share her issues in the UK.

[@hlim431]

Wow... What a story Lena!!

[@stephenshw2262]

You really should interview the one black family in SG. The son was even a NDU trooper.

[@MaxChernov]

Do you have a link?

[@envitech02]

If I recall, the kid was born here to parents from Tanzania. If not mistaken he joined the Sg Navy. Can't remember his name.

[@envitech02]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWiWqHWVg9V2nrs

[@jackmeeellleee4896]

I was very curious to hear about her language skills. Did growing up in Singapore facilitate the learning and use of any other languages?

[@657Crew]

English is our first language but if you want to learn your native eg Russian or French then you'd probably have to enrol in an international school

[@jackmeeellleee4896]

@@657Crew Thanks for your response. Do Singaporeans use other languages often in daily life? Or is English a very large percentage of what people speak? My curiosity stems from moving from a country (USA) that mostly uses one language, to Denmark, after I was forty. I have after many years become mostly fluent in Danish. I have been to several other European countries as well and have noticed a much greater diversity of languages spoken here in Europe within the individual nations than in my native United States. The majority of Danes for example, are to a large extent fluent, or nearly fluent, in English and to a lesser extent other languages like German and Italian. But the public schools here start English very early and also other languages are taught in school for many years. In a small country there is also more of an incentive to know more than just the native tongue. So I thought that perhaps Singapore as a small island nation, with it's history, and diverse population must be multilingual, and that the woman featured in this video might have, as a matter of course, learned one or more other languages while growing up.

[@BladeWinters]

This is timely, I just watched a video about Singaporeans of Tanzanian Heritage.

[@MaxChernov]

Wow. Share a link?

[@BladeWinters]

@@MaxChernov kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWiWqHWVg9V2nrs

[@BladeWinters]

@@MaxChernov Pretty sure the algorithm fed me this video because I've been watching your videos so often.

[@leongsam1075]

Interesting and such a sweet and likeable lady, hope she gets the PR soon 😊

[@limbehh8494]

Nah... citizen.

[@michaellfh]

​@@limbehh8494 citizenship without being PR first? Unlikely.

[@limbehh8494]

@@michaellfh unless multi billionaire. Lol

[@rjjrjehehew]

How about she gets nothing?

[@NikhileshPaul]

@@limbehh8494 right answer

[@Sukacukur]

Usually in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.If your parents are not Singapore citizens,you are not consider as Singaporean even if you are born in Singapore.

[@BeshenayaVishnya]

As a Russian native speaker, I can still hear her Russian. It’s barely there, but just the way she articulates is soooo Russian ☺️

[@PranicEnergy]

She may be born here. But that is all. she obviously lived in a glass bubble in the expat community. PR and especially citizenship should not be granted unless she can make a difference and the qualifying criteria should be the same as for all other newly qualifying foreigners.

[@showbread9366]

What a doll 😍

[@smoofsg]

Ok she is most likely not a citizen yet as her singlish is non existent 🤣 Just joking, it is great to see how Lena grows in Singapore!

[@limbehh8494]

She should be a Singaporean... she born n raised here. What is happening? Greeting from Singaporean

[@gli7279]

understand Spore Government certain ways of doing things like foreigners are not guarantee citizenship being born in Spore. but for goodness sake, sometimes we need to be more humane. she has live all her life here. grant her citizenship. sometimes we ought to be flexible, kind and humane, and not simply textbook.

[@zikibahrin8332]

Singapore National language is still malay. National Anthem also

[@jensonsoon4867]

Where is her singlish... if she is living in singapore since she was born??

[@brockman562]

forgot 1 main question... does she speak mandarin/chinese?

[@conned]

Hmmm....born n raised here, accepted by Singaporeans as one but keep saying ",,,, they...they..."..like she doesn't belong...

[@voolforyou]

Her accent is like an amalgamation of australian, american, scottish and russian

[@tuppenceworth5485]

She looks quite tanned. Didn't say whether her husband was a native Singaporean or a "foreigner".

[@Jon-bf2rs]

Is good place to stay if you like city fast pace life but terrible if you prefer serene and slow pace style. Plus you need to be rich.

[@PaulMaglaya]

¡Singapore 🇸🇬 is basically like Republic City (the capital of the United Republic of Nations) from "The Legend of Korra" but in real life! 👍👌🙂

[@lpericteo]

Seems like the ICA is more reluctant to grant citizenship to Angmo ? 😂😅😊

[@CC-dx6bc]

They give to women more i heard

[@zhen86]

depends on which Angmo also. Remember, the ratio quota.

[@anchored555]

I think they look at a range of factors eg what and how much you can contribute to SG, how integrated you are into local society, family ties to SG,etc.

[@samyang5873]

Ya , National Security issue 😂😂😂

[@kelvinlow4906]

Must be a Russian spy thingy

[@anfield0109]

Should have asked her to speak some “Singlish” towards the end of video for a complete series.

[@user-ed7pu5uj3q]

Born and raised in Singapore, you're actually Singaporean. I'd leave that "foreigner" word out completely, as there's a misconception in many countries that White or Western means "foreigner", which is wrong.

[@johnwig285]

She is Singaporean regardless of her accent or attending international school here. Some Singaporeans attend special schools like SAP or Madrasahs. That still makes u a Singaporean doesn't it even though u mix with only 1 group of ppl in that school.

[@peteryang8991]

I am Asian and I have to say, unfortunetly most Asian country's immigration law is a total mess. Western nation tends to jump from one extreme to another. Prior to the 1950s they had very racist people in charge and they go out of their way to make sure none whites are not welcome. After the 1950s you got people that on top of not racist very much welcome migrants and encourage foreign migrants. So, the migration law is very well thought out. Some might get a bit too eager for migrants. For example, Australia got very bad economy right now. People are loosing their job, and the labor party in charge still want to open to 1 million foreign migrant visa. The opposition party is angry saying with this poor economy, you just going to make sure more people be living on the streets. Asian countries generally got not a racism problem and the leadership isn't racist. But, they don't go out of their way to encourage migrants. The general attitude is "come, don't come. We don't care." And in some cases such as over populated they might discourage migrants (for example, Taiwan in the 70s and 80s.) As a result, most Asian country's citizenship law is very poorly thought out and the immigration department is usually under funded. For some that are not more classical ethnic group it can be a big mess.

[@chua2237]

This land belong to bumiputera, they are son of the soil, it's time to build bumiputra statue to show our gratefulness.

[@DavidHoughton17]

super sian this whole EP visa thingy .. i knew of a English dude who was born and grew up in Spore right through his late 30s and yes he has tried to apply for PR but never got it. I just don't it.

[@vijaykpillai100]

Singapore is the best place on Earth.

[@pavementpounder7502]

How come even the ones born and raised in Singapore usually don't sound Singaporean?

[@Noname-iz9uo]

She’s more of a daughter of the sea rather than Singapore

[@MrChlim75]

Very curious if she could communicate in Singlish 😂

[@thinkpadx60]

born, raised, educated, lived for 25 years and PR rejected? that is so not fair, give her the PR

[@energy12211]

Nah..doesn't make sense. She needs to just change her ethnicity to Malaysian chinese 😅

[@amyg1073]

👍👍👍

[@bruceandteo]

It's hard to call a place your home with so much uncertainty living on an EP. We are on an EP and have applied for PR, as soon as the "rejection" letter comes through, it will be 👋👋. Bruce and Teo are in a local school and love it here, but with no PR, it's not financially viable to buy a property, ultimately leading to not being able to settle down. After 8 years on and off, this may be our last time here.

[@PaulineMitchell]

I trust that you don't get a rejection letter, if you expect something you will receive it. Be very mindful of how you're using

[@Kimmi7581]

Sg really?! She’s literally a Citizen by definition! Damn can’t get enough of these interviews! Abruptly finished and leave us hanging lol

[@MaxChernov]

😁😊

[@kayflip2233]

By definition of what? Singapore doesn't have birth right citizenship. One of the parents have to be Singaporean first. Not every country has the same laws.

[@rjjrjehehew]

Lots of westerners will never get pr or citizenship. You should have seen the pattern by now.

[@gavinyuen040680]

u didnt ask if she feels like she accepted as local

[@freddytameo]

Wholeheartedly welcome Lena to be part of Singapore’s evolution, full stop.

[@vidx9]

To work in your birthplace ... that's beyond fate and destiny

[@Akira-888]

Just trace the origin of birth of specie then simply label as a variant. Simple. Race and nationality is separate. Even if she was not registered as Singaporean, she's still born there. Only difference now she has the added benefit to choose nationality. Then she will be considered Singaporean of Caucasian descent. But if say for Eg,, Mike Kasem became Singaporean, he will be a naturalized American Singaporean. Hai? 😁👍🙏I'm a proud naturalized Japanese Singaporeean. 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@choonkeonglim6178]

Yes, Gen Zs are even more financial literate then the millenniums. My ex-neighbour kid, was still in University, at the same time as she was studying, got a real estate agent license. During my time part time was slogging at the factory, 12 hours shifts as a part timer or in the office as an administrative clerk. For her, she just need to do one deal and her pay is 2 to 3 times my part timer's pay. Plus every time there is a rental renewal she will get paid. She ended up working less, ended up with more money.

[@dantlanz9239]

I'm watching this and thinking, "just the look of the sky at her background screams 'humidity' and 'heat' which even I in my own bedroom now cannot stand. Should definitely have gotten an air-con place to do the interview".

[@MaxChernov]

But nice background, is it? 😁

[@dantlanz9239]

@@MaxChernov nah bro...the sky was grey and heavy with clouds! Definitely humid and stuffy! 😆

[@MaxChernov]

🥲

[@MegaTonyng]

Of cos, her parents did not apply for SG citizenship for her.

[@malvinatan6828]

Thanks

[@MaxChernov]

Thanks so much!

[@AzrulAz1z]

Description on your profile state "Bridging the Gap" but after watching a few of your videos, i feel like it's mostly creating doubts and making living in SG is a very bad thing, most of your interviews are expats or foreigners but no videos of true locals and their views of living life in Sg and what they think of living alongside expats and foreigners.. 😕 no hate though,, I fail to see to that "bridging" in some of your videos.. Some other videos are a really good insight.

[@watcher4127]

If she is Singaporean how come she doesn't speak Singlish or Chinese and doesn't assimilate?

[@tecumseh4095]

She is a Russian born in Singapore. So a cat born in a barn is not a horse after all.

[@MsPaperbear]

i am confused about the accent still. so what's that accent?

[@zizou500]

With her accent, it'll be pretty difficult for her to feel at home in sg

[@kayflip2233]

Not really, there are tons of expats there at all times.

[@celloting01]

You don't sound Singaporean! Tricky. I'm British and I sound British, but if I sound American, hmmm, tricky too.

[@herzlboy]

She says she has an American accent, but really it’s like a mix of British & Australian with maybe a tinge of Russian on a few words.

[@kayflip2233]

It thought she was a native Aussie, that's the strongest influence in her accent. I'm American and she doesn't sound American at all to me even thought she says she has an American accent

[@uwet.8826]

Is black accent, American accent? The US is a continent, I am sure there are variations from 1 end to the other.

[@kayflip2233]

@@uwet.8826 I'm born and raised in America, I know what an American sounds like. The US is a country. To answer your question "Black accent" an American accent, if the Black person is an African American, then yes, why wouldn't it be? Not sure what the point of that question is. Are you suggesting she has derivative American accent that I don't know about? 😂

[@uwet.8826]

@@kayflip2233 yes, I am sure you are born and raise in every corner of America and so good that you can distinguish variations from every town, Canada, and countries which are half a globe away.

[@kayflip2233]

@@uwet.8826 It's really not that difficult, there aren't thousands of accents in the US or Canada. So dumb that you would even suggest that I need to live in every town to know every accent lmao. There are no obscure accents from a small town somewhere in America that sound Australian. 🤣

[@kayflip2233]

@@singlah She doesn't have a Canadian accent either. Canadian accents are barely discernible from American accents. Justin Bieber is Canadian and sounds 100% American.

[@jeffersonfernandez906]

how come she didn't pick up the singlish accent

[@RonLarhz]

She's not. Most local ang mohs can sound like local even if their main is ang moh accent. The feeling when u r overseas but hear singlish accent,that makes u Singaporean. But she's just like a generic well adjusted ang moh. She also go to international/ang moh school all her life.

[@n__5049]

She doesn't sound Singaporean at all