By KORTNEY RODGERS
A REPORT in The Tribune’s Business section earlier this year said that almost two-thirds of college and university-educated Bahamians have moved abroad to seek jobs in developed countries, costing the nation a sum equivalent to 4.4 per cent of its annual gross domestic product.
This so-called “brain drain” focuses on the impending reality that the country is losing more than half of its highly trained or qualified Bahamians to countries that are a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).
Two tertiary-educated Bahamians who have chosen to remain in the United States rather than return home after completing their studies abroad told The Tribune why they have made their decisions.
Ethon Bullard, 26, who has lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for nearly a decade, said he viewed studying abroad as a “once in a lifetime experience” and chose to stay because of greater opportunities.
“The Bahamas has a lot to offer, but the country and its people have not fully tapped into their resources,” he said. “However, in the States full advantage is taken in terms of oil and natural gas, the different stock exchanges to sell and buy stocks, competition in different industries to reduce monopolies, and food and products are cheaper, so more money is able to be saved and used for enjoyment.”
As a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a double major in Business Administration and Interpersonal Communication and double minor in Humanities and Education, Mr Bullard said he prefers living in the US where he can put all of his acquired knowledge to use by holding down three jobs and gaining different experiences in a diverse culture.
Nicholas Swaby, 22, who has lived in the US for seven years after receiving multiple sports scholarships, prefers living abroad because of “better educational opportunities, a nicer living experience and more opportunities to network”.
As a student at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by day and as a music artist by night, Mr Swaby said that although he loves his country, it has become more and more unsafe in recent years noting “100 and some plus murders a year and murders now taking place in broad daylight,” which seems to him to suggest that Bahamians are becoming immune to crime. He also feels that the US is a better place to establish his music career.
“There is a possibility of moving back home, but I’m in no hurry,” Mr Swaby said. “In the US I have met many million-dollar producers, signed rappers, managers, big DJs, you name it. Americans show a lot of support. Bahamians tend to drag down their own before supporting them.”
Both men agreed that their decision to remain abroad has contributed to the brain drain in the Bahamian society and suggested that there are many other Bahamians where they reside who have chosen to remain abroad for similar reasons.
“Yes, I do believe I contribute to the brain drain because my decision reduces the amount of individuals with special knowledge or skills that can enhance the country,” Mr Bullard said. “The problem is that people tend to be narrow-minded or stuck in their ways and do not encourage change or believe in it.
“Every time I go home I see the need for the skills I have to offer, but I refuse to give my life or skills to a country or government that will not do the same. If I do not consider myself FNM or PLP, who will care?”
Mr Swaby said: “I believe that I must better myself before I can help my country and when that period of my life is completed, I would have bettered my skills to contribute to the society with my talents.”
He noted that in order for him to become more eager to return home, he would like to see a decrease in the murder rate and “an improved music scene” because there are a lot of talented Bahamians interested in pursuing a career in music. Mr Bullard, however, would like more diversity regarding the professions of those in parliament, less government reliance from Bahamians and more equal opportunities.
“Instead of the majority of lawyers in the government, diversify it with economists, engineers, teachers, bankers, nutritionists, doctors; there needs to be every type of career in government to help build the country and make it better,” Mr Bullard said.
In accordance with the study, “Is there a Caribbean Sclerosis”, on which The Tribune Business article was based, it “effectively suggests that this nation is losing its ‘best and brightest’ minds to other economies”.
Comments
asiseeit 9 years, 5 months ago
If I had it to do all over again I would have stayed as well. There is nothing to come back too in The Bahamas. The uneducated rule, crime is rampant, dirt is everywhere, and the only ones that seem to be happy are the politicians. Lets not even talk about the fact that the Taxes you pay get you NOTHING in return. The Bahamas is a fools paradise!
hurricane 9 years, 5 months ago
No way will I ever return home. Hell, I'm even afraid to visit with the murder rate and lawlessness. No way!
Citizenconcerned242 9 years, 5 months ago
How about when you return home after college but overlooked for a promotion only to give to a foreigner, who by the way will be paid more than you? What a total insult. Why come back? You have to leave your own home to be valued elsewhere.
GrassRoot 9 years, 5 months ago
yep. the grass is greener on the other side of the fence for our young Bahamians.
Clamshell 9 years, 5 months ago
A wanna-be rapper attending a community college in Florida ain't creatin' much of a brain drain. It's not like he's gonna cure cancer or sumpthin'.
thomas 9 years, 5 months ago
This is exactly why he probably stayed away...he can be what he wants to be. Like we need a country full of doctors and lawyers.
Emac 9 years, 5 months ago
.
Emac 9 years, 5 months ago
Ever heard of diversity! Geeze... That's what's wrong with this country. People fail to think out of the box. Replied to the wrong person above. By the way the Tribune need to give readers an option to remove comments, not just edit them.
spoitier 9 years, 5 months ago
I live in the U.S and also attended community college about 8 years ago, but in 3 weeks I will be finish with my masters. Even if he only completes a community college that is still knowledge that could help the Bahamas.
thomas 9 years, 5 months ago
FYI Broward College is not a community college.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 5 months ago
You folks commenting on this article should know that the The Tribune website gets less than 100 hits on an average news day, which means there are relatively few of you posting and reading each others comments on this website each day. I've stopped commenting for that reason aside from posting the occasional comment to let you "less than 100" folks know why you are wasting your time posting comments to this website!
GrassRoot 9 years, 5 months ago
yawn
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 5 months ago
LOL.
DMoe 9 years, 5 months ago
Shut up!!!
Greentea 9 years, 5 months ago
And if these bright Bahamians - rappers to cancer research specialists and back - happen to be women- who find partners and have children abroad- current laws will not allow them (their family) to contribute fully to the country. Only in the Bahamas do we legalize and ensure our own oppression.
kairosmatt 9 years, 5 months ago
Sometimes I feel my brain draining just by being in the Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 5 months ago
LOL. This is so true!!! Talk about foreigners being promoted over you, what about the dumb fake blonde who's sleeping with the boss? Or the campaign worker who's hardly ever at work?
But I do love this country, that's something we all have in common
Andrewharris 9 years, 5 months ago
LOL. I feel you
abacogrouper 9 years, 5 months ago
I have no problem with anybody making that decision for themselves personally. However, notwithstanding all the problems were are now experiencing and that fact that one can broaden their horizons so much more and certainly make more money elsewhere, I still love the country of my birth (The Bahamas) and will remain for as long as I live and make every effort to make a difference.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 5 months ago
People can relax. The Government has been working HARD on this problem for many years now - ensuring that the average grade of D and D- is the norm - and therefore preventing MANY from being able to qualify for entry into foreign universities.
This prevents brain drain by ensuring that there are simply no brains. Brilliant.
TheMadHatter
Andrewharris 9 years, 5 months ago
Lol.....Too funny...too true
DEDDIE 9 years, 5 months ago
My sister move to the US and my brother to Europe. I did the next best thing. I move to the Family Island.
duppyVAT 9 years, 5 months ago
Aw.......... The Mud???????????
The_Oracle 9 years, 5 months ago
Stay and suffer brain death, economic stagnation and political persecution! We eat our young here, better they go away and stand tall. Can't do that here, you get mowed down! Estimated to be 50 thousand who never came back, Wow.
Andrewharris 9 years, 5 months ago
I also have a brain and I am doing my damnest to get outta here within the next 3-5 years. I do not see a bright future for this country. To much ignorance, too many small minds terrible goverance and nothing is being done about it. i shudder to think where this country will be in 10 years. it will get worse before it gets better. Refreshing to read some of the comments here however some reflect the very reason many educated young people are not returning.
John 9 years, 5 months ago
The USA, Canada, UK, China, Japan all realize the value of having intelligent and educated people among their population, unlike the Bahamas and many other smaller nations that tend to drive away the smartest and the brightest, for selfish and usually politically driven motives. When someone shows up at their border with a degree, bachelors, masters, doctors, they view it as a valuable asset that will not only strengthen their country, but one that will weaken the country the person is coming from. What is going to make it worse for the Bahamas is that government can no longer guarantee the security of its citizens or provide basic essentials on a continuous level (electricity, phone service water etc.) But lets give credit the cell service has increased 1,000 percent as it relates to dropped calls, as Mr. Leon Williams promised it would. But even those who may be willing to come home and avoid the political fray or compromise the lack of infrastructure, will not want to come to an environment that is not secure and put the lives of their family and themselves in danger. And then the tax in this country has to be more than any developed country. Many of us are not aware because a lot of taxes are hidden. Have you examined your B.E.C bill lately, for example? The fuel surcharge is more than double what the consumption/usage is. How could this be? The fuel surcharge is suppose to be an amount added after the price of fuel increases beyond a certain amount. Fuel prices have been relatively stable over the past five years and are now on the way down. So how is the fuel surcharge is 4/5ths of your electrical bill? This would mean hat fuel has increased 400 times above what the standard price was set at!!! The average homeowner can run his house full time on a diesel or LPG generator for less than what he is paying for fuel surcharge alone. Imagine when VAT kicks in.
duppyVAT 9 years, 5 months ago
All of the named countries have their own issues.......... we just like to look for cop outs as Bahamians. Stay and build your own country instead of becoming another FW immigrant
John 9 years, 5 months ago
duppyVAT 9 years, 5 months ago
Thats such a LIE....... the cost of fuel has actually declined this year!!!! That fuel surcharge is a ripoff. We should all sue the government. Is that fuel surcharge legal according to the Electricity Act anyway?????? But again they will use Article 26 4(a) as the cop out to rob us blind.
duppyVAT 9 years, 5 months ago
The world has NO borders........... we can move wherever we feel. Just look at North and South America. Its black and white........ not Red Indian anymore. However, I still love my slice of Paradise outside of Nassau (the country is not just Nassau).
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