Lifestyle - Expat Magazine

Moving countries: Why I am more with less
Moving countries: Why I am more with less
I have always been very thoughtful about the things I own, and how I organise them in my space — whether it's the tiny studio in South Korea, the shared-flat in Ghana, or the two-floor house in Mauritius. I love change, and I see moving to a different country as an opportunity to reset my reality and rediscover myself; living abroad helps me look at things with fresh eyes and get rid of preconceptions. Packing is a big part of the whole moving process, and when you have to limit your belongings down to two suitcases, you reconsider the value of possessions. Here's how I learned to put my life on the scale and hit the 23 kg target.
The global labour market at a glance
The global labour market at a glance
If we told you, ten years ago, that professional mobility would no longer be appealing, perhaps you would have never agreed. Today, downward professional mobility seems to be on the rise even though many skilled professionals keep seeking new career prospects overseas for various reasons. Expat.com gives you an insight into global labour market trends according to the Boston Consulting Group's Decoding Global Talent 2018 report, and what professionals worldwide aspire to.
The world's healthiest cities
The world's healthiest cities
Choosing your next destination involves different criteria including quality of life, environment, as well as facilities set up to ensure our well being. Which are the world's healthiest cities? Spotahome released its annual ranking of the world's healthiest cities according to water and air quality, green spaces, life expectancy at birth, work-life balance and accessibility of sports activities. Here's an overview.
The most attractive cities to Millennials
The most attractive cities to Millennials
Millennials demand flexibility at work, push off marriage until they have established their career and have become financially stable, and are more interested in experiences than homeownership. These digital, entrepreneurial, and well-travelled young people cherish change and are keen to take up the challenge of relocation. But where do Millennials flock to, and what are their criteria for liking a place? Nestpick, a global accommodation website, has ranked 110 cities based on professional opportunities, good quality of life, tolerance, and recreation. Here are the five most popular urban centres among Millennials for this year.
Five of the world's most reputable countries
Five of the world's most reputable countries
Besides a country's economic and political stability, and its cultural and historical wealth, reputation is another factor to be considered, whether you're moving alone or with your family. The Reputation Institute published its yearly ranking of the world's most reputable countries according to their attractiveness. Ethics, security, natural beauty, lifestyle, quality of life, and friendliness and hospitality are some of the aspects taken into account. Discover five of the world's most reputable countries.
Six of the world's most liveable cities
Six of the world's most liveable cities
Moving abroad is often motivated by the quest for better living standards. Like every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit publishes its Global Liveability ranking based on a range of criteria including stability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, culture, and environment. To help you choose your next destination, Expat.com gives you an insight into six of the world's most liveable cities.
11 steps to finding a job abroad
11 steps to finding a job abroad
International employees are usually assigned to manage a project abroad by their company back home, and this is how they find themselves undertaking the adventurous journey of expatriation. However, if you have decided to become a self-initiated expatriate because you wish to boost your career, gain new life experiences, or start over again in a whole new country, read below to find out how to create a game plan for your overseas employment.
Five ways to celebrate your birthday in your host country
Five ways to celebrate your birthday in your host country
You are fresh in the expat way of living, and you are still trying to find your way around an unfamiliar place, new work ethics, and strangers. And, to top it all off, your birthday is approaching; but the idea of celebrating it is only intensifying emotions of homesickness and nostalgia for what your life used to be when you were surrounded by family and friends. We encourage you to look for the silver lining of your situation, and focus on the potential beneficent outcomes of your expat adventure — believe it or not, celebrating your birthday abroad is one of them. Read below to find out how you can have an epic birthday away from home.
Top five countries for soft power
Top five countries for soft power
A country's attractiveness is defined not only by its economic growth and political stability but also by many other factors such as engagement, culture, education, and innovation, among others. The Soft Power 30 index measures the performance of 30 countries based on these indicators. Expat.com gives you an insight into the top five countries for soft power.
An insight into the international travel and tourism industry
An insight into the international travel and tourism industry
The international travel and tourism industry largely contributes to the global economy, making for 10.2% (or about USD 7,6 trillion) of the annual global GDP. In 2016, the sector accounted for one in ten jobs on the planet, creating 292 million positions — a number which corresponds with the 1.2 billion international arrivals during the same year. While we have been used to North to North travel, outbound travel from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific is overgrowing. Here's an overview of a sector that generates high-quality employment opportunities, bridges people and cultures, and has the potential to promote the protection and restoration of our planet's ecosystem.
This month's expat blog: Hyggjaa
USA
This month's expat blog: Hyggjaa
Izabella comes from Sønderjylland, in the South of Denmark, but has been travelling since she was five. After spending years in England, she met her prince charming and decided to move to Texas, in the USA when she turned 19. Hyggjaa, her blog, is about her wanderings, her struggles to find her place and her pursuit of the American dream. Have you ever wondered what life in the USA is all about? Find out through the adventures of a Danish country girl in Texas who spends her time between writing, acting, sailing, and her passion for music and photography.
Traditional ethnic wear around the world
Traditional ethnic wear around the world
Usually, the clothes we wear tend to be appropriate for the occasion (e.g. a business meeting, a Sunday hike, a night out with friends) we get dressed for, and often express our mood or reveal our personality. But clothing isn't merely a personal matter; it's a national too. Traditional ethnic wear, which dates back to a certain period of time in history, represents the culture and identity of a specific ethnic group and is often linked to social and religious status. In most areas of the world, western dress codes have been incorporated, and traditional garments are saved for special events and festivals. However, in some places such as Bhutan, the ethnic wear is still worn in public by citizens.
How to stay safe in your host country
How to stay safe in your host country
It takes a lot of courage to move abroad, whether for personal or professional reasons. While moving overseas is an adventure in itself, safety is an essential factor to take into account, How safe are you in your host country? How would you react in case of any danger? Here are some tips on how to stay safe abroad.
A glance at the workforce in Europe
A glance at the workforce in Europe
Prosperous economies, abundant career prospects, and great cultural diversity make Europe one of the best places in the world for work. In fact, the continent has been attracting foreign professionals from all around the world for many years. The Workforce View in Europe 2018 analyses current mobility trends and challenges faced by the European workforce. If you're looking to work in Europe, here's an insight into this report published by ADP.  
Where in the world you will enjoy city life to the fullest
Where in the world you will enjoy city life to the fullest
Whether you are a wholehearted urbanite, or you are about to move to a big city, here's a list of the top ten places in the world for a fulfilling city life. Time Out has surveyed 15,000 city-dwellers about the ways they have fun in their city, the cost of living, their lifestyle satisfaction, and the qualities of the people who surround them, and has composed a list of 32 inspiring cities. Expat.com is presenting to you the top ten most exciting cities to live in, where each day can be a new adventure.
The top 10 most expensive cities in the USA
The top 10 most expensive cities in the USA
A hefty salary doesn't necessarily mean that you can save a ton of money at the end of the month, or that you can afford big expenditure on leisure activities and luxury items. Cost of living has a direct impact on all of the above. Starting with the least expensive, we present to you America's ten most expensive metropolitan areas, where a six-figure annual salary for a family of three isn't enough for a comfortable lifestyle. After paying their taxes, debts, housing, and transportation, a family earning $100,000 a year is still struggling to get by in certain US cities.
The most dangerous countries for women
The most dangerous countries for women
Women's conditions around the world have always been a sensitive subject. In Saudi Arabia, women were only recently allowed to drive. In other parts of the world, many women  still suffer from brutal violence and discrimination. Women's struggles for their freedom and rights have evolved considerably since the 1940s when they had just acquired the right to vote and wear skirts. However, the path to equality and safety for women is still being paved and has a long way to go. Nowadays, a wave of feminist movement militates for women's causes. Covering topics such as health, discrimination, traditional values, patriarchy, sexual violence, and human trafficking, this article sheds light on the ten countries where the condition of women is very alarming.
The six most innovative countries in the world
The six most innovative countries in the world
Looking to launch an innovative startup overseas? Which are the most attractive countries for entrepreneurs and where are you more likely to thrive? To help you choose your next destination depending on opportunities available and support you will benefit from to set up your business, Expat.com gives you an insight into the world's most innovative countries according to the Global Innovation Index 2018.