"Colonial mentality syndrome" A continuation on the blog: Are Caribbean professionals longing for home...?

Exactly 4 years ago I wrote a blog on Caribbean students becoming professionals and their longing to go back home. In that Blog I mentioned this blog (I travel through time). What I indicated then was that the topic is quite complex, that I wanted to dedicate an extra blog on it.

It is August 2014, a new load of Caribbean students are arriving in Europe and probably North and South America as well. The students of 2010 are probably graduating, or already have. We are still in a global recession, jobs are scarce and things have changed compared to 4 years ago.
In said previous blog I mentioned the "colonial mentality syndrome" (CMS). And promised I would refer to this in a future (this) blog. I don't have statistics and other data to give a scientific basis for this topic, but base myself on experiences and chats with fellow Caribs. This is a blog that is open for (constructive) criticism and feedback. You are welcome to share your opinion and views as well.

For a lot of Caribbean Islands Tourism is one of the top economical sectors or industries, and therefore generates many jobs. However, one can argue that the tourism industry generates many low-level (paying) jobs and little high level (paying) jobs. Here is where the CMS comes in. Many times the top jobs are filled by people not native to the Island. I must be honest and admit that I have experienced many locals (on various Islands) being part of top management. Nevertheless, I am still seeing many foreigners in top management. To me it is funny as it is a mirror effect of Western countries complaining that foreigners (incl. Caribs) take their jobs. Therefore I try to take an objective look at things and leave nationalism, pride and personal feelings/opinion aside. The world is becoming more and more a global marketplace. This includes the job market. Is it then such a bad thing that a non-native has a job in a country he/she is originally not from? As I see it now, one should go and work where there is work and you are able to be the best you can be and happy. Are you a European dreaming of working in the tropics? Go for it. Are you a Carib dreaming of a cosmopolitan lifestyle and career in a modern western city? Go for it. At this point we should not let man-made borders stop us achieving our dreams. This sounds nice and reads like an idealistic pamflet, and many might say: yes, but you don't now my situation...

I agree, things are not as black and white, easy and straightforward as we would like them to be. So lets go back to the title of the blog and take a look at developments and opportunities back home. In a modern and ever more globalised world, the chance is big that you end up looking for a job with a large company or corporation. In tourism for example you might end up at one of the large hotel/resort chains, cruise lines, Airlines or operators. "Aha" I hear you say, "they are the ones employing foreign westerners for the top positions", hence the CMS. I used to agree with this quick judgement, but have changed my opinion over time. I personally know a couple of Caribbean natives who worked their way up and now have senior level jobs at these large corporations/organizations. I also know a lot of Caribs who occupy top level jobs locally on the Islands. Should we still point that CMS finger then? maybe yes, maybe no, but in any case, less. It all boils down to what you bring to the table. "Talent does get recognised", I was told long ago, and I believe this. It also depends a lot on your own efforts. We can get comfortable and less hungry and then get stuck into a certain comfort zone. Is there still inequality and do Human Resource depts. still show preference to foreigners? Probably, but don't let that stop you. Opportunity levels can differ per Caribbean Island and I tend to hypothesise that the Spanish Caribbean suffers most of CMS. The limiting factors I encounter when talking to people are: not having acces to travelling documents (Visa) and limited knowledge of International languages (English).

One of the many pitfalls for professional Caribs returning home is getting frustrated, when they are not able to bring change fast, and falling into the conformity trap. In my opinion this trap is biggest when working for the public sector (as a civil servant and/or politician). You need to be aware and accept what you will encounter upon your return. Of course your will to provide a positive contribution should remain top of your agenda, but don't be naive and get burned down to easy and quick.
A fellow blogger recently posted an interesting piece on this topic (in Dutch), urging students to think hard before coming back. Especially when dealing with Student loans ion USD$ and Euros. His advice was to stay abroad first to build up your career and pay off your student loans. And many of his readers (on social media) agreed.

Why did I wrote this blog? As a 37 year old Caribbean native, I hope I can raise awareness on CMS and provide support for the new generations and their knowledge and will to change. If you feel that our generation (35+) can still stir-up a revolution....let me know

Don't succumb to stress, reflecting on your business or career the Caribbean way

There is a reason people in the Caribbean do not have a lot of problems with stress. we take things easy. Although this is regarded in some cultures (western capitalist) as not being professional, it does have its advantages. The current trend is: being able to adapt your professional life to your private lifestyle. The younger generations are combining these more easily by the day.

Ancient wisdom, religions and sages always recommended to be still and listen to your surroundings. Now if you work in the Caribbean you have an advantage. My colleagues for example have offices with ocean view. Talk about being blessed. However, this can also be applied in other regions. In Holland where I live, there is a small park nearby with a little lake. When weather allows, I often go there and take my 30 min. break. The Challenge there is to switch off for a while and look to what is there and "listen". In reality nothing really happens. The birds and ducks just look at you for a second and go about their business. However, it creates space for creativity and good business ideas and solutions.

What does this have to do with the Caribbean? I hear you think. Well, nothing and everything. We Caribbeans have limited ground space and often gaze at the ocean out of lack of Panoramas. It is my unproven conclusion that this might be one of the factors that gives us the tranquility to take things easy and someway somehow manage to do good business with the rest of the world. We are, still one of the most desired Holiday destinations.....

Our gift to you:

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Are Caribbean professionals longing for home....?

The Caribbean.....sounds like a dream destination to live and work.
At least that is what everyone I meet tells me. "Why are you living in Europe?" is one of the classic returning questions I constantly get.
Well, other than promoting my Home Island Aruba, I also enjoy the possibilities to develop myself professionally and as a person. My standard answer therefore is: "Aruba will not go anywhere and it will always be my home to which I can return at any time". Still, for many people in Europe working and living in the Caribbean is still an aspiration.
Now that I am about 34 years of age, I start asking myself: "what would be a good age to return and actually work and live in the Caribbean?". This possibility is a certain reality for me, so not such a far fetched idea.
One of the obstacles I find is that in The Caribbean, especially on the smaller Islands, the professional possibilities are limited. for most of the Islands Tourism is one of the main industries, next to sugar and other agricultural exports. Meaning that mid and top level managerial jobs are not abundant. Yet every year over 200 young students leave Aruba to continue their studies abroad. Many of them obtaining bachelor and Master degrees in various fields.
The local government stimulates this as it is good for the Island. constantly reminding us that we should come back and give back to the Island. They are concerned about "Brain drain". However, I am in a generation where we have a "Brain overflow". On Aruba, in the year 2000, about 15% of the population has enjoyed a higher education (source: CBS Aruba; www.cbs.aw). This is still a bit lower than Europe and the USA, nevertheless, on a small territory with only 2 main industries and a limited amount of mid and top level positions, the competition is tough. Also keeping in mind that most of the jobs at the very top are usually filled by foreign professionals.
These last couple of days I did a small enquiry amongst fellow Caribbean Professionals about whether they would give in to lesser jobs in order to be able to live in the Caribbean or pursue a career with more possibilities to grow abroad. The outcome somewhat surprised me. Most of them were willing to give up their lives in the Caribbean for a career abroad. I have to mention that most wanted to retire back home of course. My surprise came from the fact that during our student times, most Caribs I met always indicated that they would return home as soon as they finished their studies. My conclusion here is that when one gets more involved with their career and the impact it has on their lives increases, the allure of living in the Caribbean fades away a bit. Maybe this is also influenced by the fact that in the Caribbean and Latin America we still battle with the "colonial mentality syndrome" (a psychological remnant from colonial times where everything/one from the mother country was better). But I'll dedicate a separate blog on that interesting topic.

There is always the argument that maybe the narrow job market is a stimulus or indicator that people should become more independent and start their own businesses. With the Internet connecting even the smallest region in the Caribbean to the world, the possibilities are many. However, starting a business in a market-place with a limited supply of local (affluent) customers could be difficult. That's when I hear a lot of people say: "well...focus more on tourism, there is a large and potential market".

However, gaining experience and capital in order to effectively start your own business (some may say that this is just an excuse) is still popular amongst professional Caribs. Not to mention how popular culture romanticize career building in large western cities.  Movies, TV sitcoms and series are mostly based on life in  cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London etc.

In contrast to Western professionals, THESE are the dream destinations to live and work for professional Caribs. The big difference would be that we Caribs know both worlds. First our childhoods in the Caribbean, followed by our lives abroad studying and starting our careers. And after talking to my peers we all agree that we remain torn between 2 worlds, having tasted the sweetness of both.

I Guess the grass will always be greener at the neighbours.....