Lifestyle - Expat Magazine
Are you thinking about living abroad? Perhaps you've considered it for a long time but haven't dared to take the plunge. It never seems like the right time due to inflation, rising living costs, and the fear of failing. But you could see these challenges as opportunities instead. Here are 50 reasons (and there are many more!) to live your dream of expatriation at least once.
We rarely consider our gut health and diet when moving abroad. Before leaving, our minds are consumed with travel preparations. The initial phase of expat life often coincides with a honeymoon period. Then comes the necessary adaptation, where daily life takes over. "The Expat Gut Health Survey: How Symptoms Can Impact Life Abroad," a study by Allianz Care, published on May 29, surveyed over 3,000 expats worldwide and unveils the link between gut health and quality of life.
When living abroad and planning to have a child, many factors come into play: healthcare, maternity support, parental leave, daycare, and more. This wonderful life event requires good organization, especially when you're an expat. One important aspect to consider (if you choose to) is breastfeeding, particularly in public spaces. While natural, breastfeeding can be controversial, heavily criticized, discouraged, or even banned in some countries.
Picture yourself with your feet in the water, lounging by the pool of your small house or spacious villa abroad. On one hand, a summer lemonade, and on the other, your favorite magazine. The weather is perfect for basking in the sun. There's not a cloud in the sky or in your mind; you've worked hard enough to enjoy your retirement abroad. But is this golden retirement dream accessible to everyone?
Seasoned expats know that culture shock and homesickness are not an issue only when moving to a foreign country – they also happen when you move back to your home country. This has been termed “reverse culture shock” – moving back and finding a home that has changed or, on the contrary, remained too similar or static. How can you deal with the repatriation blues?
Moving to a foreign country changes you and alters family relationships. You are no longer the same as before, and your family changes, too. How do you find your new bearings? How do you accept the changes induced by these long-distance relationships?
An expat's life seems to be a constant game of push and pull. Working and living abroad offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth and cultural immersion. But it is also filled with challenges: emotional, financial, and personal. So, what should expats do to find balance? And is it even achievable?
Moving abroad is a chance to build a new life. You get to learn a new language, meet new people, and adjust to a new culture. But with all the "new" around, some expats can't help but cling to the "old". For some, relocation makes them understand and appreciate the value of their home cultures in a way they never did before.
One of the top destinations for expats from around the world for decades, Canada continues to welcome foreign nationals despite its recent immigration reforms. However, a growing number of Canadians are choosing to move abroad. While this is not a new trend, it has been steadily increasing, which is quite troubling for a nation grappling with an aging population and seeking to retain its citizens. So why are more and more Canadians moving abroad?
Combining a new life abroad while practicing your religion is not always straightforward, especially when you choose to wear a visible sign of your faith. It significantly depends on how open the host country is. Many Muslim women who choose to wear the veil say they are particularly sensitive to how their religion is received in a foreign country.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the seemingly endless global crises may have appeared to bury moving abroad plans, but today, expats are more than ever present. In fact, foreigners are in high demand in countries facing labor shortages. What does it mean to "move abroad" in 2024? Can we speak of a pre-and post-COVID reality?
According to the United Nations (UN), the number of disasters worldwide is increasing each year. Expatriates may find themselves unprepared in emergency situations. Where and how can you obtain the latest information? How do you register for national foreign advisory services? Here are some practical tips.
Expat host associations act as a crucial link between your home country and your new country, and they have proved their utility. Although their services are well-known to beneficiaries, what does it mean to volunteer in such an association? What are the benefits of volunteering as an expat, and how do you get started?
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?
You've likely seen this trend on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. These punchy, satirical videos challenge users to portray exaggerated aspects of their personality, their activities, or the most stereotypical elements of a particular theme. At Expat.com, we've joined the fun by sharing a series on our Instagram. Plus, we're unpacking the common stereotypes associated with expat living.
At first glance, we might not see a real connection between moving abroad and cigarettes. But if we look closer, they are actually kind of closely related for many. First, financially, as due to inflation, packs of cigarettes can be expensive. The bill can be even higher because of the various anti-tobacco measures that countries can take.
Expat bashing seems to have become a real trend in the Netherlands, according to one article published in DutchNews.nl. Driven by historical grievances and the more recent issues related to the housing and economic impact that expats have, some local residents have expressed strong concern about expat presence in their country. Local publications have joined in by frequently portraying the expats in the country as overprivileged and out of touch.
Taking a sabbatical year abroad is considered a character-building experience that fosters personal growth and prepares young people for the working world in a unique way. It can also be their first time living in another country. While popular in some countries, the concept of a sabbatical year is far from universally embraced. Some countries worry about the "gap" it creates on a resume and other negative impressions it might leave with recruiters. Let's have a closer look.
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