We Westerners living outside our native countries have a fascinating name for ourselves: Expats. It comes from a sophisticated-sounding Latin-based word – expatriate – which comes from the Latin roots “ex,” meaning out of, and “patria,” which means native country. The abbreviation “expat” is informal enough to sound cool when referring to oneself casually as such. It also gives the impression that the situation is temporary. An “expat” hasn't left his country for good – he or she will come back to live in the home country one day.

Or at least that's what some “expats” delude themselves into thinking. I've met “expats” who have residing in Poland for 15 years and have a Polish spouse and children. They keep saying they'll go back when the time comes – which it never seems to. Still, they continue to refer to themselves as expats, as if they could be packing up and moving back any day now.

What's in a name?

Someone who lives permanently in another country is an immigrant, not an expatriate. But unsurprisingly, you'll never hear an American, Brit, Canadian or Australian in Poland referring to himself as an immigrant, even if he has settled here permanently. Most would sooner refer to the Ukrainian maid who just stepped off the train two months ago as an immigrant than think of themselves as one.

On the flip side of the coin are the over one million Polish “immigrants” who have moved to the UK and Ireland since accession to the EU in 2004. Having taken jobs for which they are far overqualified, many of them plan to return to Poland just as soon as they are able to make a decent living from their chosen profession. Still, we lump them together with those who plan not to return as “immigrants.” Should we not call them “Polish expats”?

Our usage of these words reveals a certain double standard. Whether you're an expat or an immigrant depends not on your residency plans, but on the relative wealth of your native country. If you're from the rich West living in a poorer country, you're an expat. If you move from a relatively poor country to a richer country, then you're an immigrant.

Dirty word

Westerners don't like referring to themselves as immigrants because the word “immigrant” has such nasty connotations. Just witness the heated political debates on “the immigration issue” currently raging in places like the US and UK. An immigrant is an unwanted job-stealer, while an expat is a foreigner who could be leaving any day now. An immigrant is on a desperate search for a better life. An expat is on an adventure.

But not only are these words loaded with hidden meaning, they are also insufficient. For example, I'm ready to admit that I'm an immigrant to Poland. After living here six years I don't see myself leaving the comfortable home I've made for myself here in the near future. With economic growth clipping along faster than in the US or Western Europe, the opportunities here in Poland are far greater than those in the “emerged” economies of the West.

On the other hand, I can make the argument that I'm actually an expat. No one knows what the future holds, and if push came to shove, I could move back to the US with relative ease. I love Poland, and I love living here – but there are some things about home that I really miss (Thanksgiving, Monday Night Football), and I know that I could readjust to life in the States pretty easily. I don't see myself moving back home in the near future – but I would do it if it meant a better life for my family.

So which is it?

The third kind

Recently I've realized that I'm a member of a third group – one to which a majority of both downtrodden “immigrants” and metropolitan “expats” also belong, though they may not care to admit it.

Most people living in foreign countries do so for economic reasons. There are other motives, such as adventure, education or politics, but the majority of foreigners are in it for the money. They're neither expats nor immigrants, since whether they stay or go depends on economic realities. What they are – what WE are – is economic migrants. And while that phrase may bring to mind images of destitute illegal aliens jumping a border fence, the reality is that from the Australian executive who is here running his company's Central European operations, to the American importer, to the British English teacher – all live away from home for reasons of economic advancement.

That's something that connects the “expats” with the “immigrants”, though they may not want to admit it. But there's nothing to be ashamed of. Be they rich or poor, economic migrants benefit to the world economy. The Polish “immigrants” in the UK have helped to keep that country's market flexible and efficient, while American “expats” here in Poland bring expertise to Poland's rapidly growing businesses. When labor can migrate to where it's needed, the world's economy works more efficiently.

So call me what you like – a transient expat or a settled immigrant – either way I've gained opportunities I never would have at home, and either way I've contributed to a growing Poland in my own small way. It's a win-win situation.

Andrew Kureth