Insights from professionals

You want to go abroad or have just settled there. You are wondering how to integrate well and most of all be able to communicate with the locals and other foreigners? Perhaps you are even looking for a job that requires speaking another language.. Learning the local language seems like the most natural thing to do. But a lot of us get discouraged really fast. In fact, after 2 years living abroad very few English-speaking people do speak the local language. For some of us this means, less professional and personal development opportunities. Personally this meant not being hired by anyone when I first moved to the German-speaking part of Switzerland. If you want to make the most of your experience abroad, you are going to need to avoid the 3 traps most expats fall into - including me a few years ago. For each of them I will give you an alternative and well as a concrete action you can take right now for immediate results.

Virginia Bastide is the co-founder of the Paris Institute of Childcare Training, and, most importantly, the mom of three bi-cultural children. She gives you her expert advice to ensure your children settle in successfully in their new school abroad.

Marine's interest in journalism developed into a real passion during her stay in Vietnam as the co-editor of an online newspaper. Moving back to France, she decided to become an entrepreneur by launching her own news website. Marine is also a dedicated mom that juggles parenting and the responsibilities towards success.

Looking for ways to integrate sustainability into your business and become part of the solution towards a sustainable economy is an excellent first step for a business leader to take. However, in this competitive sector, decisions aren't always obvious, and advice is well-received. Denise Delaney, director at SustainAbility, talks to Expat.com about sustainability in business, the current challenges companies face, and the benefits of leading a sustainable business.

If you are dreaming of becoming an expat, but you are overwhelmed by the research you have to undertake and the process of putting all the information on different countries together, Jeff Kontur — an author and aspiring expat — has the solution in his new e-book "The Move Overseas Checklist".

Emerging markets represent a real potential for entrepreneurs and investors wishing to expand their activities abroad. However, venturing into an emerging market can be as risky as it is advantageous. Ian Herbison, CEO of Speyside, a consultant and emerging market specialist, talks to Expat.com about the strengths and weaknesses of key emerging markets.

Are you wondering about the ins and outs of raising your children abroad with one or more new langauges? Chontelle Bonfiglio is an ESL teacher who is raising multilingual children after moving from Australia to Italy. She created 'Bilingual Kidspot' to help parents who want to raise their children as bilingual, and she talks to Expat.com about her experience.

While the yogis around the world are taking their positions on International Yoga Day, Expat.com speaks to Nathalie, a body and mind yoga and fitness instructor, about the benefits of yoga and her decision to move to Mauritius. After having lived in Belgium, France, Spain and Singapore, Nathalie decided to come to Mauritius and discover her roots while she's praising a holistic approach to health and life.

Ahlem is a blogger and the founder of Digital Nomads Media. Born in France to Algerian parents, she grew up in a multicultural environment — it's this setting that sparked her love for languages and travelling. Ahlem has lived in Mumbai, London, Madrid, Dublin, Lisbon, and currently she lives in Barcelona. A sales manager at Google for six years in the field of online advertising and marketing, Ahlem created the site last year after leaving Google to pursue her own passions. She is a digital nomad who writes about her travel experiences and entrepreneurship on her blog.

During the past 30 years Perry Yeatman has built the career and life of her dreams. She has worked with world leaders, such as Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton. She has been a senior executive at Unilever and Kraft Foods, and has led transformational projects, from Russia's economic reform to developing the World Economic Forum's New Vision for Agriculture. In doing so, she was travelling the world, while making a difference and being a wife and mother. Today she helps others to do the same, and talks to Expat.com about how focus, determination, hard work, and the support of others can help anyone fulfil their career and life dreams.

To make the most of your life abroad, it is best to get prepared. Research, exposure and appreciation, as well as a developed cultural intelligence will be key to your success abroad. Shannon Nicole Bobo tells us more about it.

So, you've decided to leave your country and live overseas. Maybe a new job has prompted the move or the lure of a semester abroad. You've made the necessary arrangements, packed your bags and secured your visas, but don't forget to prepare YOURSELF for this monumental transition.

If you're moving to London, you're probably preparing your planned monthly budget. One of the biggest expenses you'll encounter will be the rent, as the real estate market in London might get a bit costly...

Professional expatriation has become a major element for multinationals. Expatriates represent 10% of their workforce. Nowadays, it is essential for employees to be mobile and able to adapt to any kind of environment. Peter Clarke, a Partner at PWC, gives us an overview of new practices and trends on international mobility.

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.

The laws concerning LGBTQ+ rights and the social acceptance of sexual/gender diversity in different countries can be a hurdle for queer expats who want to live abroad. For transgender expats, especially, restrictions around the recognition of gender changes in official documents (including the passport) and access to gender-affirming healthcare can make expatriation more complicated. The risk of transphobic discrimination and even violence can also make trans expats rethink their plans.

If you're planning to move to Germany, you've likely heard that Germany's healthcare system is one of the best in the world and is renowned for its efficiency, accessibility, and high standard of care. However, if you're new to Germany, understanding the nuances of its health insurance system can be confusing and complex - especially if you don't know the language!