This part about foreigners having to work twice as hard really hits home. When you arrive in a country with no network, no family support, and sometimes not even the language, every small achievement takes huge effort. I think many locals don’t see this invisible weight. But like you said, hardship shapes us into people who take chances, even when the chances are slim. It’s not because we’re brave, but because the alternative is to slowly sink.
The sad thing is, and what people attempting need to understand, is no matter how hard you try, most people will fail to make much of an impact. But, it is still a better life to fail, than to settle in low-key comfort.