Veedushi Bissessur

Helen is a happy wife and mum of two grown-up children and has always been passionate about travelling. But it's only in 2020 that she could make her dreams come true despite the pandemic. With her husband Adrian, he now lives in the rural countryside of Central Portugal.

The pandemic has made living abroad even more challenging for trailing spouses. Many of them are still struggling with their daily stay-at-home routine and lockdown restrictions, while their significant other is having an almost regular routine. Here's what Kate, an expat coach in the USA, has to say to trailing spouses.  

Andre calls himself a wanderer. His experience of travelling in more than 50 countries and living in some of them turned him into an author recently. He talks to us about his book and gives out some tips for growing into your best self as an expat.

Claudia is originally from Potsdam, Germany, where she was the chief editor of German movie website. Today, she is a relocation agent in Paris, the French capital that became her new home in 2014. Claudia talks to us about her love for Paris and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on everyday life, housing, etc.

Things seem to be getting worse for British expats within the European Union. Following the Brexit, many of them are losing jobs and are being denied healthcare, higher education and even bank accounts, according to international media. But here's what the Withdrawal Agreement, which came into force on February 1, 2020, says about all this.

Marina is an adventurous expat from Russia. Mum of two bi-cultural children, she has travelled and lived in many countries before relocating to French Guiana in January 2021, amid the pandemic. She talks to us about her quest for a better life for her family and herself.

Sheila, a young Mauritian, has always been passionate about poetry. A former teacher, she now works in finance in Toronto, Canada. Sheila recently released a new French single “T'es un homme exceptionnel”, and talks to us about being an artist abroad.

A former high school teacher from the US, Kelly recently went back to school to study marketing. Mum of two and married to a Dane, she currently lives in a small town in Denmark. Here's her story.

Shahin and Sarah are a young French couple. Their curiosity and thirst for new cultures led them to Iran, where they are currently studying calligraphy, poetry and the Persian language. Originally from Reunion Island, they talk to us about how and why they made Iran their new home.

Her Excellency Dr Kate O'Shaughnessy is the fifth consecutive female Australian High Commissioner to Mauritius and Seychelles and Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros. On the occasion of International Women's Day 2021, we asked her thoughts about women in the diplomatic world and in decision-making.

Originally from Russia, Pyotr has been travelling the world since he was a baby. Today, he lives in the US after visiting some 80 countries around the world. What's special about Pyotr is his concept of sustainable living as an expat.

Thilini is originally from Sri Lanka. Despite a thriving financial career in her home country and in Australia, she was looking for a change. Today, Thilini lives in Mexico with her partner and is pursuing her dream as a writer and remote entrepreneur. She talks to us about her journey and her struggles to find inner and outer freedom as an expat.

Candice Smith is originally from Ohio, in the US. Her journey as an expat started at a very young age. Since then, she has been travelling the world, exploring cultures and learning languages. Today, she lives in Istanbul with her mum and daughter, with a rich career as an entrepreneur and beauty professional. She is also the author of two published books "The Black Girl's Guide to Being Blissfully Feminine" and "A Girl's Guide to Being A Lady in Waiting". Meet this passionate and determined Afro-American expat woman.

If you are thinking of moving to Cyprus, then understanding how the healthcare system works, and if you are entitled to healthcare, is crucial. The healthcare system in Cyprus underwent a complete overhaul in 2013 to be more in line with EU standards and has improved drastically since then. However, many people still prefer private healthcare especially expats.

Healthcare in Chile is modern and affordable and is rated as the best in Latin America; yet, it is not without its problems. Data collected by the World Health Organization ranked Chile's health system 33rd out of 190 countries.

Whether you are travelling to the Maldives for a short or long term, staying healthy and having access to quality medical care will surely be on the list of your priorities. Wondering about health care quality and cost in the Maldives? Learn about the countrys hospitals, social security and insurance in this article.

Kenya is a country of great disparity, especially when it comes to healthcare. Access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation, and basic health services are problems for millions of Kenyans, especially in rural areas, as the public healthcare system is overburdened. However, wealthy Kenyans have access and means to purchase private health care and receive better quality treatment. Here is an overview of Kenyas healthcare system.

Hungary's healthcare system has many advantages. It is easy to get in the system (happens automatically once you start working for a Hungarian company) and the amount of money you actually have to contribute is very little, making public healthcare quite affordable. On the flip side, the quality of services can vary greatly depending on which city youre currently in and the fact that there are not enough doctors means you should be prepared for significant delays.

In contrast to other countries such as Finland, where the healthcare system is municipal, Estonians have opted for a solidarity-based social insurance system. This means that healthcare services in Estonia are for everyone according to the individual needs. It also means that you can expect the same kind of quality treatment to be available across the country, no matter which region you're currently in.

Ask any Finn for the cure to whatever ails you, and they will all probably make the same suggestion; go to a sauna. Indeed, that Finnish invention may have something to do with the fact that life expectancy in this country is among the highest in the world. But what happens when you require something a little bit stronger than a steam bath? Finland's healthcare system is municipal, which means that the quality of treatment you'll be getting may vary greatly depending on the city you're in. If you're a Nordic or EU citizen you should have no real problems navigating it.

Slovenia has a nationalised public healthcare system which provides a high-quality level of care to citizens and residents. All employees and businesses contribute to the system through tax, and healthcare is available to all citizens and long-term residents. The programme is coordinated by the National Health Insurance Institute. Residents and citizens are given a medical card, which they show when undergoing treatment. Even under public care, some doctors and specialists may charge an additional out-of-pocket fee for some services. However, medical care for children is generally not subject to additional charges.

When planning a lengthy stay in a foreign country, the question of staying safe and healthy naturally comes up. If you are moving to Macau, you're in luck as the region has a well-developed system of public and private medical facilities. What's more, with Hong Kong just a short ride away, you will have even more options when it comes to healthcare.

Nigeria is exposed to a number of serious epidemics, and the national network of healthcare facilities exhibits uneven quality standards, hence the importance of well investigating the available healthcare options to best prepare your move to Nigeria. Health insurance is a necessity.

Healthcare is a primary concern for anyone moving abroad and future expats will be happy to learn about the excellent care available in Colombia. In fact, the World Health Organization ranked Colombia's healthcare system as number 22 in a review of 191 countries. Hospitals and clinics in Colombia's major cities have many bilingual doctors. The majority of expats (especially those from the U.S.) will find the cost of healthcare very affordable.

Guatemala's public health system benefits from a well-established legal framework, a long-standing institutional history, and dedicated and experienced health sector workers. However, the system is fragmented, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas, both in terms of level and of quality.

When relocating to South Africa, healthcare will be one of your main concerns. Since its advent to democracy, South Africa's healthcare system has become more accessible. Medical faculties of major, internationally rated universities offer sought-after and rigorous medical training. Additionally, many new medical centres have been set up across the country and you are likely to find more hospitals in large, urban centres and tourist areas.

Health care will probably be one of your major concerns about moving to the Czech Republic. Rest assured! The country has a modern and developed health care system comprising more than 25,000 hospitals, clinics as well as many private doctors. In fact, the country was ranked 13th out of 35 European countries according to the European Consumer Health Care Index. Access to health care is more or less easy, although there are fewer specialists compared to West European countries.

Scotland has a modern and developed health system from which you can benefit during your stay (provided you comply with existing conditions). For the most part, healthcare is free to everyone living in Scotland regardless of your nationality — although you will have to pay fees for specialised services. 

One benefit of living in Denmark is having access to the high standard of healthcare. Understanding the healthcare system in Denmark is a priority for expats – here is everything you need to know about the Danish healthcare system. 

Are expatriates eligible to health care services in Egypt? What are the relating conditions and formalities? Find out in this article.

Are expatriates eligible for free healthcare in Poland? What are the relating conditions and formalities? Find out in this article.

Wondering about the health care services available for expats in Sweden? Find the answers to your queries in this article.

Are expatriates eligible to public health care in Ivory Coast? What about the private health system? Find out in this article.

Whether you are visiting Peru for a short time or planning to relocate for an extended period, it's important to understand the healthcare system. Good quality health services are easily available in the country, even to expatriates.

It used to be common advice for any foreigners in Cambodia to simply go to Bangkok or Singapore if they required medical attention. Fortunately, however, medical facilities in the Kingdom of Wonder have improved somewhat in recent years, and you can now receive reasonably good treatment for many conditions in private institutions.

Wondering about health care in Bulgaria? How to access to these and what are the fees applied? Find out in this article.

Moving to a foreign country needs documentation first, especially when it comes to major concerns, such as the health care program. Expats moving to Romania may already know that medical services here have suffered lots of lacking during the years, but slowly, they are aligning to the European standards. However, there are local hospitals and clinics that provide urgent medical consultations, as well as lots of private medical units. 

Are you eligible to public health care in Algeria? What are the conditions and fees applied? Find out the answers to your queries in this article.

As the saying goes, ‘without your health, everything else is worth nothing' and so finding out about healthcare in Senegal should be at the top of your to-do list. Luckily, the Senegalese healthcare system is considerably more advanced than in many other African countries. Senegal operates an insurance-based healthcare system and since 2013 it has been compulsory for the Senegalese population to have insurance.

Before moving to Cameroon, you should be aware of the country's health care system and on health risks. Here is an overview.

Russia is known to have a two-tier healthcare system. There is a huge gap between those who can access to private healthcare services and those who depend on the public healthcare system. As a result, compulsory health insurance was introduced in 1996. Both expats and Russian nationals have to subscribe to health insurance which provides free healthcare. However, the Russian healthcare system still suffers from a lack of modern equipment and qualified staff.

Ecuador, as a fast-developing nation, has laws that are constantly evolving, but one thing is certain: the ongoing changes are almost always for the better. Here's an overview of how things stand at present.

Belize has a multiple layer healthcare system, including public and private hospitals, as well as regional and rural clinics. Before traveling to Belize, you should seek information on your specific health care concerns. You should also consider subscribing to an expat insurance before moving. Level one trauma care is not available in Belize, and medical evacuation alone is quite expensive.

If you are planning to move to South Korea, you are probably wondering about the local healthcare system. Doctors and hospitals in Korea are very developed and use the most modern technology just like in Western countries. In fact, Korean people take sicknesses so seriously that they even visit a local hospital at the slightest symptom of a cold. Quality healthcare is provided to locals and foreigners alike, and medicine and doctor visits are very cheap. Most doctors in South Korea also speak good enough English to assist you with your problems.

If you are planning to relocate to India, its healthcare system will be one of your prime concerns. There are several healthcare centres in India, including private and public hospitals and clinics. The quality of services may vary from one place to another. In major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi etc., it is easier and convenient for expats to find well-qualified practitioners and access to quality healthcare services.

Healthcare in Argentina is often very good quality and is considered among the best in Latin America. However, the level of care often depends on the social protection system you are covered by.

Job: Check. Accommodation: Check. Visa: Check. How about your finance? Carefully considering your banking options before moving abroad could save you money and time. Depending on your reason for moving abroad and the duration of your stay, you could be tempted to use the bank account from your home country or open a local bank account in your home country. But have you thought of an international bank account? Here is why you should consider it and what you should look out for.

Last week, Thailand's Cabinet approved a draft bill aiming at recognising same-sex civil partnerships. If this bill is passed into law, Thailand would be the second country in Asia to back same-sex unions after Taiwan. Russia, for its part, publicly announced the prohibition of same-sex marriages. But how does it feel to be a same-sex couple abroad? Al, an American expat in Brazil, talks to Expat.com about LGBT rights and his everyday life in his host country.

Born in Newport, Vermont, in the USA, Tamara Jacobi was raised in Canada. Today, she lives in San Pancho, Mexico, where she owns an adventure business, managed by her family, in the heart of nature. An avid writer, she is the author of Wildpreneurs, a guidebook for turning your passion into business. Tamara talks to Expat.com the best ideas to have right now to become a successful expat entrepreneur in the post-COVID-19 era.

Although Nigeria is still a developing country, its economy enjoys good momentum, and it is possible for expats to find a job there.. The oil boom that occurred in the 1970s allowed the oil-rich country to significantly increase its revenues but has also opened it to the world, and large numbers of expatriates work in Nigeria.