‘It’s not embarrassing’: Singaporean TikToker abroad rejects claims returning home is shameful

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean living in Thailand has sparked online discussion after calling out the idea that it is “embarrassing” for Singaporeans to return home after spending time overseas.

In a TikTok video posted on 9 December, the content creator, who goes by the username Fuwari, responded to comments suggesting that Singaporeans who move abroad should feel ashamed if they later return.

“Is it embarrassing to return to Singapore after moving overseas?” she asked, pushing back strongly against the notion.

In the video, Fuwari questioned what she described as an unhealthy obsession with treating overseas moves as permanent markers of success.

“I don’t know what is the obsession, right, with once you leave Singapore you are shameful for coming back home. What are you — an immigration officer?” she said.

Identifying herself clearly as Singaporean, she added: “I am a Singaporean leh. Why I cannot come back home?”

Fuwari also shared an experience from her time working in human resources in Singapore, recalling how a job candidate was viewed negatively for returning after studying overseas.

She said the candidate had completed a degree in Australia before applying for a job in Singapore, but her former boss labelled the applicant a “red flag” for not continuing to work in Australia.

“I don’t know what is so red flag about that,” Fuwari said, adding that the candidate may simply have preferred life in Singapore.

“Maybe she likes Singapore better. I don’t know lah. But it’s just so weird — what is wrong with you guys?”

‘Everything in Life Is Temporary’

Reflecting on her own situation, Fuwari acknowledged that her life in Thailand may not be permanent.

“Everything in life is temporary. Nothing is promised to you,” she said, explaining that while she hopes to continue living abroad, she is realistic about eventually returning to Singapore.

She added that she may one day return to a conventional 9-to-5 job, citing concerns about freelancing and the impact of artificial intelligence on creative work.

“But I have never once thought that, oh my god, I’m a failure because I have to go back to Singapore,” she said.

“People feel ashamed for me for some reason. It says more about you than me.”

@fu.wari dont have to give me 10 years i’ll be back in Singapore much sooner than that 🤣🤣🤣🤣 for those of you who dont know me - I’m a singaporean living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and these comments really amuse me sometimes 😆  #livinginthailand #tiktoksg #fyp #singaporean #movingabroad ♬ original sound  - fuwari | 🇸🇬 in 🇹🇭

Netizens Voice Support

The video prompted widespread discussion online, with many netizens agreeing with her perspective and sharing their own experiences.

One commenter applauded her for speaking out, saying such critics were closed-minded and were projecting their own fears and insecurities onto others.

The commenter added that moving around and trying new things was an important way for individuals to discover themselves.

Another said it was disappointing that some people from Singapore — though not the majority — felt the need to make negative remarks about those who chose to deviate from the typical Singaporean path.

“Why do I need a reason to comeback home?” one user wrote, adding that they had returned after 10 years overseas.

“If you don’t come back, people say you’re ungrateful or can’t survive in Singapore. If you come back, people say you can’t make it elsewhere. Can’t please everyone, sis,” another commenter said.

Shared Experiences of Returning Home

Several users also shared personal accounts of studying or working abroad before returning to Singapore for personal reasons.

“As somebody studying in Australia, I swear the ‘why you don’t want to work in AU’ question is asked so many times,” one commenter said.

“Why can’t I want to go back home to work? Why can’t I go overseas for my degree and then go home?”

Another argued that such experiences should be celebrated rather than criticised.

“This should be the experience that we celebrate,” the commenter wrote.

“For Singaporeans to go overseas, experience new cultures, learn and grow, and then come back to Singapore. That makes Singapore better. You make Singapore better.”