Lifestyle - Expat Magazine
Less than a month before Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, many countries are still locked down. Some governments are planning to ease a couple of restrictions in the coming weeks, but they are likely to play it safe. Amid the global health crisis, what are Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations going to look like?
This year, the festive season is going to be different, with the global health crisis and restrictions all around the world. Many countries have already decided to cancel their major annual events so as to prevent risks of contagion. As some of them went back into lockdown during the past few weeks, there won't be the usual crowds. Expats tell us how they are planning to celebrate Christmas and the New Year's Eve amidst the crisis.
Whether you're a foodie or not, you're probably keen on getting a taste of Argentina's cuisine during your stay. Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Buenos Aires, tells you about some of the strangest dishes you might come across, based on his experience.
One of the world's most attractive expat destinations, especially for foreign professionals and investors, the United Arab Emirates recently amended some of their laws in light of the Dubai Expo which has been postponed to next year due to the global health crisis. What are these changes, and how will they affect the lives of expats?
With more than 12 million infections and more than 300,000 deaths, and a second wave that seems to be accelerating, many European countries went back into lockdown in recent weeks. Some of these countries are France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, as well as Greece. We have asked a few expats how they feel about the current lockdown.
USA
Mum, Sabrina and daughter Paola left Rome a year and a half ago to settle in Massachusetts, United States. They moved because Sabrina's husband, an Italo-American, has been working there for some time. And it was an important change to say the least. Both mom and daughter had to adapt to new habits and customs, and Paola joined a college in the perfect American style, like those you only see in movies.
It can take several days or weeks before the new US president is proclaimed, but Democrat candidate Joe Biden seems to be on his way to the White House. This Thursday, November 5, he had already won 264 electoral votes against 214 for Donald Trump. However, it's still possible that the candidate with the most public votes isn't declared the winner. Especially since Donald Trump is challenging the results. Expats around the world tell us how they feel about this election.
Unless you're moving abroad for a job, you have to decide on where you want to settle? A smaller town or village, a city, the capital city? While living in little towns and villages definitely has its perks, here is why you should consider your host country's capital city.
Australia
"If Brexit is voted, we will move to Australia". With these words, Valentina chose to fly to the Land Down Under with her boyfriend in 2016. Originally from Italy, they both lived in London for six years. She talks to us about her everyday life, her plans, and the COVID-19 crisis in Sydney.
The COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on global mobility through the slowdown of commercial flights. Many Latin American countries have also implemented strict entry restrictions while others prefered to close their airports, thus prohibiting international flights until further notice. Here's an update of the current situation in Latin America.
The upcoming US election, which will be held on November 3, has got the whole world's attention. The campaign is on, but it seems like the country's social and political situation, President Trumps's recent blunders, as well as the COVID-19 crisis, are going to play a significant role in the voting. Expats tell us how they feel and what they expect from the election.
Brazil
“We sleep and wake up to the rhythm of the forest”. Lorenzo, an artist and writer and Iside, a naturopath, are an Italian expat couple. Tired of their traditional life in Italy, they chose to relocate to a small ecological village on the coast of Bahia, Brazil, with Leone, their 6-years-old son. In this interview, they talk to us about their choice, their everyday life in the heart of nature and their projects.
This article is not only meant for non-English-speaking expats. Unless English is your mother tongue, you will probably need to prove your language skills if you intend to relocate abroad. This is precisely what's likely to happen in Australia from mid-2021. The government recently announced that foreign partners and spouses of Australian citizens would need to be fluent in English to be eligible for a permanent visa. If this bill is approved by parliament, expats seeking Australian citizenship will also have to take an English test. What does this mean for expats? Why are English tests important when moving to an anglophone country?
Moving abroad often means discovering new cultures and trying new cuisines. However, you shouldn't expect to only come across those fabulous delicacies you've been looking at on Instagram. Some of them might even give you a shock! Expat.com presents some of the world's weirdest foods you should try at least once during your stay abroad.
Iran
Vanessa left her birth country, Venezuela, after falling in love. She moved to Iran, where her husband is from, and has only just returned to her native country. In this interview, Vanessa gives us an insight into life in Iran, which is not the most popular expat destination, to say the least.
“If you share food, you end up sharing emotions.” Meet the lady who piques your culinary interest not just through food, but also an emotional connect. Manasi, from India, arrived in Amsterdam in 2018. Within six months, she was running her own business; a social dining platform that brings people together over authentic cultural food meet-ups, culinary tours and experiences as well as through online cooking workshops in a unique setting of people's own homes. The idea is to enable people to experience authentic cultural dining.
On September 12, 2020, Thai police arrested a US national for defamation after posting a negative comment for a hotel on a popular website. The man had to spend two nights in jail before being bailed out. You might have understood by now that your usual behaviour or habits could land you in trouble in your home country. To save you from embarrassment, we tell you about ten things you could get fined for as an expat.
USA
Andrea comes from Calabria. After living and studying in Florence for many years, he booked a flight to Portland, in the United States, where he has lived for 13 years now. Driven by his passion for music, he even founded a music band there. In this Interview, Andrea talks about his everyday life and shares his views about the recent US protests and the COVID-19 crisis.
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