Lifestyle - Expat Magazine
Netherlands
Originally from the Netherlands, Angelique had been an expat in Belgium since 2008 until she moved to Taiwan in 2017. As her husband's two-year contract was renewed, she stayed for two more years until August 2021 when they finally moved back to their home country. She talks to us about the challenges of returning home, especially amid the pandemic, and the positive side of it.
Are Ukraine and Russia about to go to war? While countries like Britain have urged their citizens to leave these countries and U.S embassies have pulled their non-essential staff out of the country, expats currently in Russia and Ukraine are either choosing to fly home or staying put while waiting for further information. Russian and Ukrainian expats around the world are also holding their breaths.
An ultimate weapon to constrain countries, embargoes affect all spheres of the economy. While most negotiations are done between central economic and political authorities, little consideration is given to the population, including expatriates. Yet, they are direct victims of these measures that often result in a lack of resources, shortage of raw materials, medical emergencies, insecurity, etc.
"Expatriate", "immigrant", "migrant". These words are intriguing for foreigners who live abroad for various reasons: crises – migratory, economic, political – adding more tensions. How do we define an expat and an immigrant? What about those who have moved abroad indefinitely? And why is this topic debated with such passion?
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted expats lives around the globe, and it still has implications on the plans of people who are planning to move abroad. If travel conditions and visa processes were not very fun, it can currently cause a lot of distress and even make some give up on their plans. Still, there are things to consider before moving abroad during the pandemic.
January 20, 2021-January 20, 2022. Since Joe Biden swore in as the new President of the United States, he has faced a lot of challenges, both nationally and internationally. Trump protested against the results and had his supporters' back. After the invasion of the Capitol, Joe Biden promised to reunite Americans. Today, Biden has engaged to unravel Trump policies, bring the population together, revive the economy, among others. While his ambitions are high, the opposition is strong too. Add to that a never-ending pandemic, inflation, etc. What should expats expect from Biden for 2022?
Although the Omicron variant is still strongly present, particularly in Europe, and a "BA.2" sub-variant is spreading like wildfire, many countries are gradually shifting to a new normal by lifting their restrictions in an attempt to revive their economies. In Denmark and England, there are almost no restrictions, while in Quebec and France, many of them no longer apply. However, scientists doubt whether now is the right time to drop the mask obligation. What are these countries strategies to fight Covid in 2022?
For decades, societies have conveyed the image of women as trailing spouses, but things are changing worldwide. More and more women are travelling and moving abroad alone, as a couple, as a family. Indeed, women no longer have to hide their ambitions in a patriarchal world. Today, more and more men are encouraging their spouses to follow their dreams and careers, sacrificing theirs. Who are these men, and how do they get along with their new role as trailing spouses?
Angelica is originally from Verbania, Italy. It's been nearly ten years since she moved to the UK, hungry for independence and new experiences. She has also spent a year in Germany for her studies before going back to the UK and is currently in the process of obtaining British citizenship. She talks to us about living in London as an expat between Brexit and the Covid pandemic.
Higher food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation in the UK to 5.4% in 2021 until December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling expats. Expatriates might be facing a hard choice between heating or eating.
Fear has arisen just a few days before the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. Covid has managed to filter through the "sanitary bubble". This means more tests, more control, and more restrictions for locals and expatriates. Borders remain closed, affecting international exchanges, whether commercial or educational. More and more foreigners seem keen to leave. Is mainland China about to experience an expat exodus too?
"Thank you Erasmus". Words of gratitude are raining on social media in millions of former participants in all languages. Founded in 1987, Erasmus is an international mobility program and marked its 35th anniversary on January 20th. On this occasion, here is an insight into the benefits of this program through expat testimonies.
In December 2021, Poland's parliament passed a media bill that aims to silence a news channel critical of the government in an unexpected move that will stoke media freedom concerns and reopen a diplomatic dispute with the US. With all that, how is it like to be an expat from Poland or one wishing to live there?
"Retire in Dubai" was launched more than a year ago by the government. This program is intended for foreign professionals who have worked in the territory and do not wish to leave. This program is, in fact, part of a new strategy set up by the United Arab Emirates to meet the needs of expatriates. But other countries like Argentina, Thailand, Mexico, etc., already have similar programs to retain expats beyond their careers.
Maëva has been in love with Quebec for nearly twenty years, but she only decided to take the leap of faith during the pandemic, looking for a better quality of life. She talks to us about her expat experience with her partner and their two children and the many opportunities available in this Canadian province for expatriates.
Haven't you ever dreamed of working close to the paradise beaches of Phuket or the Terrasses de Lavaux in the Swiss canton of Vaud, or treat yourself to a chic evening in Dubai and admire the view from the Atmosphere, the tallest restaurant in the world? Many of us have been waiting to grab our chance of living the expat life. Still, there are many things to consider before actually moving to some of the world's most popular expat destinations.
Expat life is often idealized, especially on Instagram, where you can see amazing exploration photos. This lifestyle can indeed make people envious, yet there is a setback that expats do not always publish on social media. Living abroad also involves dealing with loneliness, poor well-being, or even culture shock. Expats talk to Expat.com about how their dream turned into a nightmare.
Tanzania
Virginie, a French expat, has an uncommon story. In 2020, she decided to follow her heart to Tanzania, which opened the doors for her to a world of opportunities. Having a rich career in many fields, Virginie is now happy to run her own business and enjoys the "hakuna matata" lifestyle.
Make your relocation easier with our expat guides
Retiring in Tunisia
Sun, a relaxed lifestyle, traditional souks, incense, modernism, an effective health system, etc. All these are ...
Getting married in Bahrain
For expats, moving to Bahrain often involves navigating new experiences, and marriage is one of the most ...
Getting married in Morocco
If you want to get married in Morocco, there are different steps and a variety of procedures to follow. These can ...
Getting married in Panama
If you dream of getting married in a tropical paradise, Panama may be the spot. Even non-residents can tie the ...
Getting married in Qatar
Getting married in Qatar could be a hassle for newbies. However, knowing the right procedure and information ...
Marriage in Brazil
Brazil can be a romantic country, and you may want to marry here. Perhaps you even want to remain in Brazil ...
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"