I have always loved MJ. I have never believed the child molesting accusations (call me crazy, but I don't) but I do believe that he was as troubled as he was talented. But it truly is a loss for the world.
That's what happens to most people somehow. Most o my friends went abroad for their undergrad and now they don't want to come back. There are good reasons to stay back though - the scope opportunities are much broader and the politics is slightly more civilized (if you can use such a terms for politics).