English expats in New York are not a rare sighting. You’ll encounter them all over the city doing as many different things as you would any old run-of-the-mill American. The BBC.co.uk has a wonderful slide show about British expats in New York City that focuses on the work of photographer Jason Bell:
His [Bell's] photographic results – published in a new book ‘An Englishman in New York’ – are on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London. BBC Radio 4’s magazine programme Broadcasting House travelled to the US – and caught up with Jason, and some of his subjects.
My favorite part of this slide show is the variation of professions that are represented. It would be interesting to hear the perspectives of Americans and British with regard to the views expressed about New York City. American expats in London who would like a taste of home might find this a great way to spend an afternoon!
The recent arrest of film director Roman Polanski has ignited a fiery debate among other artists various media outlets. Polanksi, who might not accurately be described as an expat, has lived such an international lifestyle that it is worthy of of mention in our blog. While he was born in Paris, his family moved back to Poland in 1936. Following, the Nazi invasion, he escaped the Krakow ghetto in 1943. His mother died in Auschwitz, and his father survived the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. He eventually lived in London, Los Angeles and elsewhere in Europe. In short, he was well versed with crossing international borders and he jumped when it became clear he was going to be held accountable for his actions.
One of the reasons that I find it relevant is the fact that Polanski is not the only individual, obviously, who moved to a foreign country following the commitment or conviction of a serious crime. Last month we posted this request by U.K. officials for the help of British expats in securing the arrest and conviction of criminals in Spain. I often wonder how many expats have come across a fellow countryman (or woman) who is hiding from the authorities.
And don’t miss Chris Rock’s comedic diatribe aimed at the people that defend Polanski’s actions (From E! Online).
