Expat stories
USA
As the year 2021 comes to an end, we're hoping for this very stressful period for expatriates all over the world to be over. Expats living in the USA on an E2 visa have been faced with a particularly complicated situation. In addition to the pandemic's impact on their businesses, they will also have administrative difficulties obtaining visas or even their renewal.
Everyday life
From October 1, 2021, South Africa moved to Alert Level 1 after multiple Covid-19 peaks, and life is slowly getting back to normal. Hannah, an expat from the UK, was lucky enough to relocate to Cape Town in September following her husband's intra-company transfer. She shares her views about expat life in the country she now calls home.
Everyday life
Does being an expat mean always being the outsider? Not quite at home in your host country and a little bit of a stranger to your home country. Stephanie discusses how she navigates this identity as a Brit living in Paris.
Moving
Expatriation started as a necessity when I was looking to progress with my academic studies of a Master's degree in England. However, it was earlier in my life, when I began travelling for leisure, that I figured out moving countries is a lifestyle I would like to revel in. Since 2007, I have lived and worked in five countries in Europe, Africa, and East Asia, and I am currently preparing for my next expatriation project. I may find it easier to board a plane and start all over again than deciding what to have for dinner, but the journey is not anxiety and sorrow-free. So, if you are interested in how a life away from everything you take for granted is, please don't ask me (or any other like-minded expat for that matter) any of the following questions — here's why.
Moving
I have always been very thoughtful about the things I own, and how I organise them in my space — whether it's the tiny studio in South Korea, the shared-flat in Ghana, or the two-floor house in Mauritius. I love change, and I see moving to a different country as an opportunity to reset my reality and rediscover myself; living abroad helps me look at things with fresh eyes and get rid of preconceptions. Packing is a big part of the whole moving process, and when you have to limit your belongings down to two suitcases, you reconsider the value of possessions. Here's how I learned to put my life on the scale and hit the 23 kg target.
Other Types
Leisure
In early 2024, the Prime Video streaming platform debuted “Expats", a drama series based on the book by Janice Y. K. Lee. It portrays the lives of three women from diverse backgrounds who are linked by a singular drama: Margaret, Hilary, and Mercy, each facing unexpected and traumatic events that upheave their existences.
France
With less than three months until the start of the Paris Olympics, expatriates are feeling a mix of excitement and concern, especially those currently living in the capital or planning to move there during this period. The media predictions are unanimous: the event will affect the daily lives of all residents. But what will the actual impact be, and how can one prepare?
Children
Your thoughts about moving abroad are becoming more frequent, but balancing the needs of your children, your family, and yourself is challenging. Embarking on expatriation alone is daunting. How can you manage it as a single parent?
Work
Yes, it is indeed possible to work abroad with a disability, and yes, there are obstacles, whether the disability is visible or not. However, these barriers do not jeopardize the expatriation plan—far from it. Here are some practical tips for moving abroad with a disability.
Accommodation
You've fallen in love with a home that's incredibly affordable but needs renovation. As an adventurous expat, you're brimming with ideas to turn a modest house into a mini-castle. But what should you consider in this type of negotiation? How can you ensure your dream doesn't turn into a costly nightmare?
Cost of living
Moving abroad for a better life abroad isn't a new idea, but its popularity is surging as global economies struggle with persistent inflation. Economic recessions compel more people to contemplate relocation abroad, highlighting a more significant phenomenon than it may initially appear.
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