Features
Children
Choosing your next destination, whether you're moving with your family or planning to have kids abroad, involves a lot of reflection. Children's rights and your responsibilities as parents; the environment; as well as access to education and healthcare are some of the criteria to be considered. Expat.com gives you an insight into the world's most child-friendly countries according to a study by KidsRights, an international NGO.
Work
Doing an internship abroad is often associated with some kind of stress regarding everything that's new, especially when you're moving for the first time in your life. However, adequate planning can turn this professional experience into one of the most amazing adventures of your life. To guide you, here are some tips for making your internship abroad a success.
Schools & studies
Education and schooling will be one of your primary concerns if you're looking to move abroad with your family. Like most concerned parents, you're probably pondering on the benefits of international schooling for your children in your host country. International schooling more often than not, comes with a hefty cost. How far are you willing to invest in your children's education and how convinced are you that they will be able to adapt to the local education system? To help you choose wisely, here is an insight into international school fees around the world according to an ExpatFinder survey.
Work
Moving abroad is usually motivated by the quest for better quality of life, new career prospects, whether you're looking to work or invest, including factors such as inclusion, innovation, etc. If you're looking to relocate to Europe, which is the best city depending on your project? To help you choose wisely, Expat.com gives you an insight into the best cities to live, work, or launch your startup according to the Dynamic Cities 2018 report published by Savills Investment Management.
Leisure
Once you have settled abroad, whether alone or with your family, you might find yourself wondering how to spend your time. Is there a better feeling that reconnecting with nature to become a mindful expat and, at the same time, rid yourself of the stress that comes with moving? To help you discover and enjoy your host country's natural wealth, here is an overview of the world's greenest cities, including parks, gardens, woods, and forests, according to TravelBird Index 2018.
Work
The world's economic superpowers such as the USA, Germany, China, and Japan are the first countries that will probably come to your mind if you're looking to boost your career overseas. However, have you thought about your chances of being hired abroad according to the skills in demand? To help you choose your next destination, Expat.com gives you an insight into current global recruitment trends according to a recent survey conducted by Manpower Group in 44 countries around the globe.
Everyday life
A lot of money is spent worldwide on purchases which accelerate one's self-confidence, appearance, and sense of superiority and prestige. According to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch report conducted a couple of years ago, vanity capital (or the money spent on beauty products and services) is estimated at about 4.5 trillion American dollars! How much attention does your expat destination pay to new shades of lipstick, anti-ageing creams, health supplements, and youth elixirs?
Banks and finance
To understand how generations interact with one another, the Resolution Foundation, a British think tank, has convened an Intergenerational Commission. While generations share common living space — whether it is in the form of family or the broader society — the IC is studying how they can live better together, and how the younger population can be better off than their parents. Going beyond the unlucky timing of the global economic crisis, the side effects of which Millennials have felt the most, IC is trying to renew the social contract between generations.
Everyday life
The number of women who have made it to the top of the government has more than doubled since the beginning of the Millennium. However, female power has still a long way to go, as the list of women leaders remains short; between 2014 and 2016, the World Economic Forum counted 56 nations (of the 146) with a female head of state for at least one year in the past 50 years. Yet, some of the world's most powerful countries such as Germany, India, South Korea, UK, Brazil, and Chile currently have or had women in power, helping towards the normalisation of female leaders.
Everyday life
Today, the world is celebrating 50 years since the International Conference of Human Rights took place in 1968, when for the first time, family planning was recognised as a human right. Thus, on World Population Day, Expat.com looks into the state of the world's population to better understand the implications on the environment, gender equality, and wealth distribution. Find out whether your host country is home to megacities, a rapidly growing population, or an ageing population.
Leisure
Wine tasting at a picturesque winery is an excellent unwinding and invigorating experience, and you don't have to be a leisure traveller to enjoy it. If your expatriation journey has taken you to one of the world's most astonishing landscapes in the USA, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, France, or Spain, you are fortunate because you can indulge in the country's rich wine heritage at any time.
Moving
Moving overseas will initially fill you up with excitement about the adventures to come, and gradually may bring up worries about practical matters. Regardless of how easy or tough the reality is during your time abroad, expatriation will be for sure a growth experience, from which you will learn a tone of things about yourself and your interaction with the world.
Cost of living
Besides career prospects, quality of life, environment, and safety and security, the cost of living is another significant issue to consider when planning your move abroad, whether alone or with your family. Which are the cities where you're likely to spend more regarding rent, food, transportation, and leisure? To help you choose the best destination according to your budget, Expat.com gives you an insight into the world's most expensive cities in 2018 according to the latest Mercer Cost of Living report.
Leisure
July is this time of the year when culture is cherished with festivals and special events around the globe. If you are the expat who wishes to have fun, but not in the usual Friday-night-out-way, and you are looking forward to mingling with locals and other international crowds, check Expat.com's calendar with some of the world's best festivals in July. Don't fret; if you cannot find your host country on the list, consider travelling to the nearest destination to get the party started.
Schools & studies
Higher education is more accessible than ever before globally, with more and more young people creating their academic and professional paths. Students tend to be attracted to universities outside their home country to live a fulfilling international experience, shared with people from all over the world. However, studying abroad can be very costly, with tuition fees reaching up to USD 55,000 per year in some of the world's best universities. On the other hand, some European countries have remained the advocates of free education, and are an appealing option for many prospective students who.
Everyday life
Making the best choice regarding your expat destination will be based on several pivotal factors such as career opportunities, cost, and quality of living. However, living in a clean environment should also concern you, as it means living in a healthy environment. Check the cleanest cities in the world as ranked by Mercer to find out where you can breath fresh air, drink good quality water, stay away from infectious diseases.
Accommodation
Living in a shared house can be the best solution for solo expats who are keen on socialising, saving money, or both. Sharing accommodation can be as exciting and open-minding as expatriation itself — each of your housemates will probably teach you something about yourself that you didn't know and will introduce you to new experiences and habits (from making pizza dough and separating laundry by their type and colour, to recycling and watching international cinema). Thus, even if you don't live with like-minded people, you can establish harmony with your housemates, as long as there's willingness for respect, tolerance, good communication, and a good sense of humour.
Everyday life
Earthquakes are some of the most powerful and unpredictable natural phenomena, which occur underground due to the release of energy when two blocks of rocks (plates) are pushing against each other and eventually break. Although earthquakes can happen anywhere on the planet, there are some countries which are more vulnerable due to their location near or within seismic zones. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on earthquake forecasts yet, but being prepared for an emergency situation can be life-saving.
Other Types
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If you've been searching for a stable, profitable, and strategically located country to grow your business or diversify your investment portfolio, Panama should be at the very top of your list. Panama is not just a country with a famous canal. It is one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, a regional financial hub, and a proven gateway for companies looking to expand across North and South America. With a dollarized economy, a territorial tax system, world-class logistics infrastructure, and investor-friendly immigration policies, Panama offers a unique combination of advantages that few countries in the world can match.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is often associated with adventure, discovery, and new opportunities. While it can be a deeply enriching experience, there is often a less visible reality behind the excitement of starting a new life abroad: exhaustion. In my consultations, expats sometimes describe a fatigue that never seems to lift, unusual irritability, a sense of disconnection, or the feeling that they are no longer quite themselves. What I have also observed is that this distress is rarely confined to one person. In expat families, when one parent begins to struggle, the entire family often has to adapt. Partners may feel isolated or lose their sense of direction, while children can pick up on their parents' stress, worries, or emotional fatigue, even when these feelings are never openly discussed.
New Zealand
Since June 1, foreign workers seeking certain work visas in New Zealand have been subject to new English language requirements. The government says the changes are intended to improve migrant integration and help prevent workplace exploitation.
Sweden
Since June 1, Sweden has tightened its work permit regulations. The new rules introduce higher salary requirements, stricter conditions for seasonal workers, mandatory health insurance in some cases, and increased scrutiny of employers.
Belgium
Belgium's latest reforms, which took effect on June 1, bring greater flexibility to the labor market in an effort to support job creation. At the same time, the government has introduced stricter requirements for non-European students.
United Arab Emirates
Foreign residents in the United Arab Emirates should take note: under UAE regulations, residence visas are generally canceled if the holder remains outside the country for more than 180 consecutive days. In most cases, affected residents must apply for a new visa before returning. However, several categories of expatriates are exempt from this rule and can retain their residency status despite an extended stay abroad.
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