Expat interviews
Canada
Elodie and Thomas are digital nomads who come from Lille. Their passion for travelling led them to a world tour in October 2016 which included Asia, Australia, and South America. Today, they live in Quebec, Canada on a Working Holiday Visa. They spoke to Expat.com about their adventures, their everyday life in Montreal, and their long-term plans.
Portugal
Coming from Toulouse, Marine is a young wanderer at heart and lifestyle blogger. Following her stay in Dublin, she flies to Southeast Asia for a four months vacation with her husband. As an entrepreneur couple, their quest for new opportunities and a better quality of life lead them to Portugal. She talks to Expat.com about her expat experience and entrepreneurship in Portugal.
Argentina
Born in the Fraser Valley, close to Vancouver, Sharilyn spent some 20 years in Calagary where she worked with the Red Cross before setting up her own consultancy company. Six years ago, she chose to move to Argentina where she got the opportunity to develop an eco hotel inside a wildlife reserve. Sharilyn speaks to Expat.com about her daily adventures in Patagonia and everything she likes about the country, from the amazing landscapes to the warm and friendly people.
Spain
Born in Rome, Valeria is an Italian teacher who has been looking for professional experience abroad. Her passion about the Spanish language and culture lead her to Madrid where she set up her own language school with students from all around the world. Valeria talks about her exciting expat experience to Expat.com and everything that makes her feel at home.
Finland
Marietta from Greece started her expat journey seven years ago when she went to Denmark for her Master's degree and then to the Netherlands as a research assistant. Today, she is based in Kuopio, a densely populated city in Finland, famous for its beautiful forested area and Lake Kallavesi, which surrounds the town. After two and a half years in Finland, Marietta may still struggle with the cold weather, but she has found joy in outdoor activities and of course, her PhD.
Spain
When Cat from Chicago, US graduated from high school, she went to Seville, Spain for her studies abroad. Oh! And for the tapas, the siestas, and the flamenco dresses. What was supposed to be a year abroad and an immersion in the Spanish language, has turned into a ten-year fulfilling expat experience. Ever since Cat decided to settle in Spain, she met her husband, bought a house, has worked in two different cities, and has become a mother. Today, Cat feels that Spain is her final destination, but who knows what the future beholds?
Finland
Paola, a wife and mother of two, lives and works in the tech sector in the capital area of Finland. Besides her full-time job, which she loves, Paola is a dedicated blogger. Today, she talks to Expat.com about her expat life as an Italian in the Nordic world, and her appreciation about Finland's natural beauty, as well as the country's socioeconomic security — aspects which nurture a happy family life.
Italy
After two and a half fulfilling expat years in Brazil's vast and hectic Rio de Janeiro, Charlotte from Manchester, UK and her Brazilian partner moved to Italy for studies. Starting anew, Charlotte, who is a seasoned traveller and expat, is determined to make the most of her time in Italy. Life in a small Italian town may be quieter, but not without its challenges and stories worth sharing.
Netherlands
Ute is a German (and Swiss) “expat-since-birth”, as she likes to call herself. She has lived abroad her entire life, and is currently living with her loving family in The Hague, Netherlands. Ute has moved to different countries several times for study, work, and to accompany her partner, and with every move she had to reinvent herself, to adapt, and to overcome the lows. However, every country has been an adventure she has learned from and an opportunity to thrive and move forward.
Finland
Omar is from Guatemala and arrived in Finland eleven years ago as the singer in a heavy metal band. Ever since, many things have changed — the group split up, Omar obtained the Finnish nationality, and he has created a loving family. Follow us on this exciting journey of a designer, musician, and avid traveller from Guatemala to Finland.
New Zealand
Aby, arrived in New Zealand from Strasbourg on a Working Holiday Visa, grabbing the opportunity that the country offers to young expatriates who want to work in New Zealand with spare time to explore its beauty. There are many reasons why Aby chose New Zealand as her expat destination; one of them is the friendly and welcoming Kiwi people. She talks to Expat.com about the flexibility that the Working Holiday Visa gives you and the best things about New Zealand.
Timor-Leste
Xian, an Australian-Chinese-Filipina, amateur photographer, badminton player, and swimmer among others, moved to the island nation of Timor-Leste three and a half years ago to continue her wonderful work on gender equality and the prevention of violence against women. Xian has absolutely adapted to the unique style of island living, and shares with Expat.com some tips on making the most of your expat experience in Timor-Leste — spoiler alert: food and snorkelling included.
France
Alejandra, a Colombian expat in Lyon, France has gone through different stages of life in this historical city. A language enthusiast, Alejandra initially arrived in France to learn French but she immediately fell in love with this vibrant place, and enrolled in a Master's degree before getting a rewarding full time job as a business developer. Looking always on the bright side of life, Alejandra gives us a tour around her favourite city.
Rwanda
Sila, from Nigeria and Turkey, is now living and working in Rwanda after she agreed to accept a relocation job offer. In the heart of Africa, and home to the continent's largest rainforest with a third of gorillas' world population, Rwanda is one of the proudest nations regarding conservation of natural habitats. When not teaching the principles of leadership to talented, pan-African students, Sila is enjoying the variety of restaurants and the convenience of moto rides, which can take you anywhere in the country's capital city, Kigali. However, there are three things that Sila needs more time to adapt to — living without caring housemates, the lack of spicy food, and the calmness of the city.
USA
Céline, a French expat in New Orleans, Louisiana, has a rewarding job and leads a full life in this historic city of jazz music and swing. She loves cycling to work, seafood gumbo, and the friendliness of the people. Follow her unique expat story in New Orleans as we unfold it, and learn more about this expat destination from someone who found home away from home in it.
Türkiye
Leonard, a writer, an educationist, a history-lover, and an avid reader and traveler, has found everything he needs to lead a fulfilled life in Turkey — where two opposite cultures meet and thrive together. He established his new home in Turkey in 2008 by some quirk of fate, and today, ten years later, he knows that his future is tied with Turkey. To find out more about his expat life in this magical country, follow us as we unfold Leonard's story.
USA
Mitra is a French national who moved with her husband and children to Blacksburg, Virginia. She tells Expat.com about her new life in the US, the cultural differences between her home country and the American way, and how she's adapting to her new life.
South Africa
After having spent many years living in London, Cambodia, and Singapore, Mei now calls Cape Town home. Coming from a mixed background herself, Mei has always had a deep interest in exploring other cultures, and loves to discover new places. She tells Expat.com about her life in the Mother City, her observations of South Africa, and the abundance of leisure activities at her doorstep.
Other Types
Everyday life
Giving birth is one of the most powerful and life-changing experiences a woman can have. Doing it abroad? That adds a whole new layer of emotion and complexity. From navigating childbirth in a foreign language to adjusting to unfamiliar medical practices and postnatal care, expat parents often find their resilience and adaptability pushed to the limit. So how can you prepare for this pivotal moment while living overseas — and what should you be aware of?
Formalities
Sponsoring a relative comes with many rules. Can your current status allow you to sponsor someone? Who are you actually allowed to sponsor? And what should you keep in mind before starting the process? Expat.com breaks it down for you.
Work
Whether we embrace it with excitement or cautiously, artificial intelligence (AI) has become inseparable from our current and future world. The latest World Economic Forum report makes that clear: AI is reshaping the job market. This shift is especially significant for expats aiming to build an international career. So, what skills are recruiters looking for?
Formalities
Latin America as a region has become one of the most popular hubs for expats, digital nomads, and international entrepreneurs. The escalating prices, the rising taxes, and stricter immigration laws in Europe and North America are forcing people to seek alternatives, and many are finding Latin America's relative affordability, vibrancy, and diversity an ideal combination.
Leisure
Major urban centers continue to draw foreigners for a simple reason: they offer more jobs and housing. The global housing crisis hasn't changed that. Life in the city feels familiar and secure. But stepping away from crowded megacities can be just as comforting. It's a chance to enjoy fresh air and open space. Here are five ideal destinations where you can breathe deeply and live closer to nature.
USA
For thousands of international students, the end of the visa freeze offers only a partial win. Application reviews have resumed, but under far stricter conditions. The Trump administration remains resolute, even if it means putting more pressure on its relationship with the US academic community. Meanwhile, other countries are seizing the moment to attract international students. Could this mark the beginning of a shift in student mobility trends? And what lies ahead for exchange programs and global student mobility?
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