Lifestyle - Expat Magazine
So you may be thinking to yourself, if I move to an English-speaking country, I won't have to spend a lot of time learning another language. After all, it is the most widely spoken language in the world, with over 1.45 billion people speaking it as either a first or second language. That's roughly 20 percent of the planet's population. But the day-to-day reality can be somewhat different even in countries like the USA and Canada, where English is the primary or official language.
Moving to a new country comes with lots of costs. We explore a lot of these in our living abroad guides. But some costs are more abstract and don't really reveal themselves until much later. This is often the case with the relationships that we “leave behind” back home.
Just a few years ago, living in a big city seemed to be a direct association with success. And so was moving to a big city. And a lot of expats, when relocating, were more driven towards big cities for this reason too. But things seem to be changing. If social media is to be believed (and yes, this is very debatable), a lot of people now prefer, given the choice, to settle away from the noise of a big city. Smaller sustainable communities are starting to emerge.
Expat life is often seen as an exciting adventure: a new country, new opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Moving abroad represents, for many, a major life project — one filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. When you make that move as a couple, it can feel even more reassuring. You're not going it alone; you have each other, with the shared belief that this change will bring you closer and create lasting memories together. And it truly can. But living abroad also brings profound upheaval: the loss of familiar landmarks, constant cultural adjustment, distance from family and friends, and sometimes a complete professional reinvention. All of these factors can unsettle not only your individual sense of balance but also the foundation of your relationship.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the current energy crisis is "worse than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined." Compounded by the war in the Middle East, the crisis is pushing governments to fast-track their energy transition policies, from fuel taxes and vehicle use restrictions to incentives for remote work. Should expats brace for lasting disruptions to their daily lives? And how can they adapt to this new reality?
Costa Rica
It is the 4th-happiest country in the world. For the first time, Costa Rica has broken into the top 5 happiest countries on the planet, and it is the first Latin American nation to reach the upper ranks of the list. This strong showing mirrors Costa Rica's reputation among expats: the country consistently ranks among the best places to live abroad. So what makes Costa Rica so appealing? And how do you go about settling there as a foreigner?
There is an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what happens when there is no “village”? Bringing a child into the world or raising one far from home means facing the expectations of family and one's social group while choosing a solitary path. It is a path marked by loneliness, where we confront the ongoing exile of being a foreigner, even as we create a “symbolic, bodily, and mental territory of belonging to that other being who has come into life.”
As winter fades, spring brings a sense of renewal and a return to nature. Around the world, its arrival is celebrated through vibrant traditions and meaningful rituals. For expats, this season offers a unique opportunity to see their host country differently and connect with its culture. Here are popular spring traditions from across the globe.
Congratulations. You've decided to move abroad. Whether you are relocating alone, as a couple, or with your family, choosing to live in another country is often a courageous step, sometimes a dream that has been years in the making. Yet behind the excitement of departure, many expats quietly experience something else: the feeling that they are not truly legitimate, that they do not deserve their place, or that others are overestimating their abilities. There can be a persistent fear that one day, people will discover that you are “not really up to the task.” This feeling has a name: impostor syndrome.
Since February 28, 2026, when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered sweeping retaliation from Tehran, millions of expatriates have been thrust into uncharted territory. Airports have shut down overnight, jobs have been thrown into question, evacuation plans have faltered, and the Gulf's long-standing reputation as a haven has come under strain. Here is a clear look at a crisis that is rapidly reshaping daily life for expat communities across the region.
Some expats immerse themselves in the local language from day one. Others get by without it for years. Both happen all the time, but what actually makes the difference? A new international research project is digging into exactly that, and your experience matters.
Humans have been nomads since prehistoric times, over two million years ago. Men and women moved across territories in search of food, most often following animal migrations. Back then, we were hunters and gatherers. Socially, we lived in tribes or small clans, bound by meaningful connections. We've changed a lot since then… or have we?
Phone scammers are increasingly targeting expats, and it's no coincidence. Fraudsters know that living abroad can mean language barriers, unfamiliar paperwork, and added pressure when something goes wrong. Here's how to recognize the most common scams, avoid the traps, and react fast if you've already been caught out.
Moving abroad is exciting, but it doesn't have to be expensive. With living costs rising in many countries, popular expat destinations are becoming less realistic for smaller budgets. The good news is that more affordable alternatives are gaining ground. Here are some of the best places to move to in 2026 if you want to keep costs under control.
“Don't worry, everyone speaks English there.” It's a reassuring line many of us hear when preparing for an international move, and one that often proves misleading the moment we arrive. Because yes, in many countries, English is the official language. On paper. In everyday life, the reality is far more complex. Between dialects, creoles, patois and regional languages, newcomers can quickly find themselves disoriented. Which raises an essential question: is learning the local language essential to integrate? Or is it possible to get by, and even thrive, without ever really speaking it?
Let's be clear from the outset. This article does not claim that moving abroad automatically leads to weight gain. Nor does it draw a direct link between a country's obesity rate and an individual's risk of developing a nutrition-related chronic disease. Instead, it examines how moving abroad, and the lifestyle changes it entails, can shape eating habits and, in turn, influence body weight.
From diplomatic tensions to sudden policy changes, geopolitical events are increasingly felt far beyond headlines. For expatriates, they can affect everything from job security and mobility to personal safety and well-being. Yet these everyday impacts remain largely undocumented. Researchers are now gathering firsthand accounts from expatriates to understand how global political shifts are playing out on the ground.
Expat life is often associated with openness, new encounters, and discovery. Yet, paradoxically, it can also bring a deep sense of loneliness. Even when surrounded by others, expats may feel isolated, out of step, or unseen. This experience is not a weakness. It reflects a fundamental human need: the need for meaningful connection. In a professional setting, this loneliness can quietly but significantly affect mental health. Preventing distress, therefore, also involves learning how to nurture relationships, create spaces of belonging, and recognise that well-being depends largely on the quality of our connections.
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