Features
Work
Living abroad can make it harder to gauge how your work is viewed. Many expatriates feel overlooked or under constant scrutiny. Yet recognition is essential—it builds trust with managers and directly influences performance. Here's why it matters.
Work
Studying abroad opens doors to more than just academic credentials—it shapes a global outlook. But how do you turn that into a career advantage? Beyond classic international fields like diplomacy, development, and tourism, new opportunities are emerging in innovation, design, tech, and entrepreneurship. These fast-evolving sectors value fresh ideas, cross-cultural thinking, and adaptability—traits that international graduates often bring to the table. Today, standing out in the global job market means not just having foreign experience but knowing how to frame it as a competitive edge.
Accommodation
Thinking of buying property abroad? It's a dream for many—and with the right preparation, it can become reality. But just like buying a home in your own country, investing in real estate overseas comes with its own set of rules. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand the local laws, legal procedures, and required documents. Contracts, regulations, and paperwork can vary widely—and so can the risks. So what should you look out for? What are the common mistakes to avoid?
Everyday life
In the wake of Covid-19 and ongoing economic uncertainty, more people are seriously considering life abroad. For some, it's still just a distant dream. But for others, that dream becomes a lived reality. Life as an expat, however, is rarely a fairytale. Those who share their stories know the challenges firsthand. It takes persistence—and often struggle—to find one's footing in a foreign country.
Health system
Receiving a medical diagnosis is never easy—especially when you're living abroad. Now, you're not only managing your health but also facing the emotional and practical challenge of rethinking life as an expat. How do you adjust your daily routine when loneliness becomes part of your new reality? What support systems can help you avoid navigating illness entirely on your own?
Everyday life
Foreign retirees represent a valuable demographic for many countries. They bring steady financial resources, stimulate local consumption, invest in real estate, and sometimes contribute to the local economy through entrepreneurship or volunteer work. Recognizing these benefits, many governments actively compete to attract retirees, offering special visa programs, tax incentives, and other benefits designed to make relocation easier and more appealing.
Everyday life
Euphoria, doubt, frustration, adjustment, motivation, hope — relocating overseas stirs a wide range of emotions, often contradictory. Leaving behind your country, your relationships, and your familiar surroundings marks a major life change. How can you navigate these emotional stages in the best possible way?
Work
Living abroad can sharpen the visibility of gender stereotypes, especially in professional settings. Women are often seen as following their partners overseas, expected to fill their days within expat social circles. Men face their own clichés: they are typically cast as ambitious professionals, sent abroad for a strategic career move, often into senior roles. Why do these outdated views about gender and international careers still persist?
Schools & studies
Including students with disabilities is a significant challenge for education systems everywhere. What conditions help these students feel welcome? How can teaching adapt to better support them? Different countries take very different approaches depending on their beliefs, resources, and cultures. Here's a quick look at how it varies around the world.
Work
Sick leave isn't just a policy—it's a cultural signal. While it may seem like a standard clause in an employment contract, sick leave practices reveal much about local workplace norms. In some countries, taking time off due to illness is discouraged or seen as a sign of weakness. In others, employees are trusted to manage their health, with no need to provide a medical certificate for the first few days of absence. So, how do you navigate these differing expectations when working abroad?
Everyday life
Living abroad introduces you to many new experiences: a new university, a new workplace, and new friendships. How do you navigate these changes? How do you thrive in your new life overseas? Here are some essential tips for maintaining an active lifestyle while adapting to your new surroundings.
Formalities
Statelessness, while not widely recognized, is often mistakenly viewed as an issue affecting only undocumented individuals who flee to another country. However, various circumstances can lead to statelessness. What measures do governments take to prevent such situations and safeguard affected populations?
Work
Lately, many large companies have considered ending or significantly cutting back on remote work. This has met with pushback from employees who have adapted their lives to work from home. How can businesses balance the needs of expatriates, facilitate their professional integration, and still accommodate remote work? How does remote working impact foreign employees' connection to their company?
Accommodation
Renting accommodation is an essential step when settling abroad. However, understanding local practices is crucial to avoid pitfalls when renting in a foreign country. Whether you are already in the host country or not, what should you consider before signing a rental agreement? What are the differences between short-term and long-term rentals?
Visas
Many popular expat destinations have recently ended or restricted their Golden Visa programs, which were often criticized. However, several countries still use these programs to attract affluent foreigners. In 2025, what are the available investment programs? Can one immigrate with their family through these programs?
Telecommunications
With around 1.95 billion registered users, Skype has significantly impacted and served expats and others who previously faced high international call charges. However, Microsoft has announced that it will be shutting down this trailblazer in video calling and communications on landlines and mobiles. What will be the consequences for people living abroad who need to stay connected with their family and friends? What are the top alternatives to Skype's services?
Everyday life
When relocating abroad with children, we often overlook the psychological effects of such a significant transition. However, children are equally impacted by this change. What are the key considerations for preparing your children for a new life in a new country? What are your options in case of major challenges?
Health system
Moving to a new country often involves fleeting romances and serious long-term relationships. Whether these relationships last or not, it's crucial for expats to safeguard their well-being. This protective measure should begin even before departing for a new country. How can you look after your sexual and reproductive health?
Other Types
Spain
Spain's sweeping immigration reform came into effect on May 20, 2025, with the aim of simplifying procedures and modernizing the system. Here are the key points to understand.
South Africa
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs continues to experience delays in processing visa applications. In response, it has issued a new exemption, valid until 30 September 2025, as outlined in Immigration Directive No. 5 released earlier this year.
Indonesia
According to the Directorate General of Immigration, the aim is to prevent the exploitation of foreign workers. Since June 14, 2025, new rules have been in place to more strictly regulate the C18 stay permit (C18 visa). Also known as the "Work Trial" visa, the C18 is intended for workers coming to Indonesia to complete a trial period with a sponsoring company—the company where the trial will be carried out.
Kuwait
Expatriates in Kuwait should prepare for stricter visa controls. This new crackdown aims to better regulate the entry and exit of foreign nationals and more effectively “secure” the labor market. Here are the key changes.
Japan
Japan is stepping up efforts to hold foreign residents accountable for unpaid taxes and health-related fees. Under a new policy set to take effect by June 2027, the government aims to create what it calls an “orderly and harmonious society”—a vision that includes stricter expectations for expats.
Work
Unlike other Erasmus initiatives limited to those under 30, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program has no age restriction. It offers a practical pathway to professional growth: the chance to explore new business cultures, gain vital skills, and expand your international network. You don't need years of experience to apply. What matters is a clear business idea, determination, and a strong desire to learn. In this article, Enrico, a young ambassador who benefited from the program, gives you insight into the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs initiative.
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