Are new ethnic immigrants more diligent in education and the workforce than their Western born compatriots?

[Parailia somalensis]

Many of the new immigrants I have met over the years have had more drive than the average western born Somali. I met mates all through my higher education years who were working full time jobs, raising a young family and still doing well in their studies. The average Western born Somali can't even combine two task while going to school and that includes me. I mainly think it is to do with the experiences they had in the refugee camps or inside Somalia.

 

[Jacki]

I’ve noticed the same thing. I would guess a factor in why this is is because there’s more people actively relying on the newly arrived immigrant than the one who no one is relying on.

 

[strawberrii]

I think that it does have to do with experiences in poverty. Experiencing such crippling poverty and lack of opportunity will definitely drive you to do better in a more suitable environment.
I think the people who slack off (or anyone in the West for that matter) just don’t have that perspective and so aren’t going to put their all in their academics/work/whatever.

 

[Ghengis Kaarhis]

Unfortunately true