In Bahrain I am not an American, I am not a visitor, I am not even an outsider. Actually I am all of these things, but if you ask a Bahraini I am first and foremost an expat. Ex-patriates, more commonly referred to as expats, are a central element of life in Bahrain, and understanding this is a must if making any attempt at understanding the region. Expat is a term wildly applied yet the distinction it makes is strong never the less; In the mind of the locals you are an expat from the time you arrive until the time you leave , regardless of the length of your stay or your reason for coming to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
"Expat" is more than just a phrase here, it is a major part of the culture, with Expats making up nearly fifty percent of the population in Bahrain, very little is uninfluenced by our presence. Being an expat here part of your identity, it is part of how you relate to others and it is the common experiences which go along with this designation which, bring people together, foster new friendships, and provides a basic bond which transcends national identities.
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