Veedushi Bissessur

The Czech Republic is by far one of the most attractive destinations in Central Europe for expatriates. Rich in culture and traditions and known for its stunning nature and ski resorts, it provides a pleasant environment and lifestyle for foreign nationals looking forward to settling here, not to mention a variety of professional opportunities. 

After graduating in Northern Ontario, Carmelo wasn't very happy about career prospects in Canada. His quest for a better job led him to China where he works as a teacher. He talks to Expat.com about his new adventures and everyday life as the father of a newborn son in what he calls the "Millenials' paradise", and his passion for his work.

During the World Cup this past summer, Stefanie, a Belgian/Australian dual national (a "Belgalian" or "Austrelgian" if you will) had to divide her time and support to, not one or two, but three countries. Now living in France and married to a Frenchman with two little ‘Fraussie' children, the challenge of being a citizen of more than one country was no longer limited to the football fan-zone. Stefanie tells us some of the challenges of dual nationality that span beyond choosing which team to support.

Wendy comes from Mississauga, Canada. After travelling around Europe, including France, the UK and Sweden, she finally moved to Australia where she is a teacher, with her husband. Today, Wendy is a happy mom of two children: Ella who is three and Oliver who is six months old. Wandy McNoble Down Under is her blog where she talks about her day to day life and travels around the land down under.

Meet Nina, serial expat who been living out of a suitcase since she was 18. With a background in luxury travel, she was thrilled at the opportunity to move to one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Chile. Here she shares her experiences on expat life in Santiago and beyond.

After a successful and challenging career as a Psychologist in the area of trauma and abuse, and helping others survive their situations, Stefanie met her French husband in her home country Australia and decided to follow him back to Europe. Although excited about the new adventure, the arrival of their 2 children often left Stefanie struggling with missing her career and being a stay-at-home mum, which led her to taking a less stressful and demanding job. Below, she details some of the challenges that people face when sacrificing their careers for their partner and family, whether they changed to a new profession, or stopped working completely.

It's been nearly twenty years since Jill first moved to Mexico for a study abroad semester. There, she met the love of her life which brought about the irresistible desire to come back and settle in Mexico. Jill talks about her journey and her everyday life as an expat on her blog. If you have always wondered what life in Mexico is all about, here we go!

In Scotland, every new baby gets a welcome box! Scotland has a National Parenting Strategy in place, which strives to provide help, support and resources to both parents and children and the baby boxes are just one way to do that. There is also a variety of childcare types, from childminders and playgroups, to nannies and care in the home.

Scotland is a majestic country with a beautiful countryside and cities full of medieval gems. Thankfully, Scotland also has an excellent public transport system: 95% of the population lives within a 5-minute walk from a bus or train station, so no matter where you choose to live, chances are your commuting will not be challenging. Furthermore, prices for properties to buy are lower than anywhere else in the UK. Combine that to the many rental options you have (from modern houses to Victorian homes to waterfront apartments) and it's not hard to see why Scotland attracts so many expats each year.

Located in the Northeast, Aberdeen is considered one the happiest cities in the UK. A cosmopolitan city that offers quality living to its inhabitants, in Aberdeen rent prices are higher, but so are salaries thanks to a vibrant labour market and an increasing employment rate. A key destination in Scotland for expats, Aberdeen is the 3rd most densely populated city in Scotland, with a population of about 229,000 inhabitants in the city and 262,000 in the surrounding area of Aberdeenshire. The demand for accommodation is high, but the city offers many quality options if you don't mind paying a bit more than in other Scottish cities.

Located less than 60 km from Edinburgh, Dundee is the 4th biggest city in Scotland and the 2nd most densely populated. The City of Discoveries has a vibrant entertainment industry and cultural life, especially since the opening of the new V & A museum. Being home to two universities, Dundee also offers affordable accommodation options for students. In general, rent prices vary per neighbourhood and on whether you choose to live in the city centre or the outskirts.

As one of the most popular destinations for expats and tourists in Central America, Costa Rica has so much to offer those visiting and living there. If you're thinking of moving to this biologically diverse country, here is some general information.

Bordered by the Northern Sea, Aberdeen is located in the Northeast of the United Kingdom. Thanks to its strategic position, it has become the European offshore petroleum hub. Aberdeen is definitely one of those great cosmopolitan and modern cities providing quality living to its inhabitants, surrounded by lush green nature. Rent prices are higher, but so are salaries compared to the rest of the country — perhaps explaining why Aberdeen is considered one the happiest cities in the UK.

Known as ‘the city of discovery' thanks to science activities that have greatly developed over the years, Dundee is the 4th biggest city in Scotland. Initially a small medieval town, Dundee started expanding in the 19th century thanks to the jute industry — in fact, it used to be referred to as ‘the land of jute, jam and journalism'. Nowadays, Dundee is predominant in fields such as biomedical industries and technology, has been designated as the 1st British city for design by the UNESCO (thanks to its significant contribution in various fields, namely medical research, comics and video game) and recently added a new, prestigious V&A Museum into its significant list of cultural offerings. However, the city still struggles with a high unemployment rate.

The United Kingdom is deemed to be one of the most business-friendly countries. If you are planning to set up a business there, related formalities should be quite easy to handle (provided you comply with existing conditions). Scotland in particular, has many systems in place to help new businesses — from tax incentives, to funding, to helping with finding investors. You are just a few steps away from making your dream come true.

Scotland has been attracting expat students in large numbers, by providing internships in companies as part of their higher studies. Thanks to the country's particularly dynamic economy, opportunities are abundant at all levels, and the demand is equally high for both students and graduates. Many internships offer some kind of remuneration, so you should be aware of relating conditions and formalities before agreeing.

Scotland is a rich country in terms of nature, history and culture. From historical monuments, impressive architecture and a vibrant nightlife, to abundant nature, there is so much to discover and explore during your stay.

Scotland has been attracting expats in large numbers not only for the numerous opportunities it provides but also for its pleasant environment and the quality of life. The uniquely warm and hospitable locals will leave no stones unturned when it comes to making you feel at home.

Scotland has had its share of connectivity issues in the past. The rugged terrain in rural and island areas, and its dispersed population in the Highlands and its islands, have made it difficult for fast and high-quality internet to reach everyone. However, the country is currently undertaking what has been called “the highest value telecommunications infrastructure investment in all of Europe”, in order to make sure that a high-speed fibre optic broadband reaches the 95% of the country. Scotland also boasts a well-developed telecom network, and enjoys the Royal Mail postal services.

Scotland may be relatively small, but its diverse landscape with the craggy mountains and the remote islands has motivated people throughout the ages to find creative ways to travel cross-country. Nowadays Scotland hosts a wide, developed and efficient transport network including buses, coaches, trains, ferries, etc. Regardless of where you have decided to settle, travelling will definitely be part of your everyday life so it's good to consider your options. 

If you are planning to move to Scotland and have a pet (or pets), it is understandably a stressful process to figure out whether you can bring them with you or not, and how. Scotland is a rabies-free country, which means you need to follow the below rules and regulations carefully, or risk having your pet quarantined or even denied entry to the country.

Driving in Scotland may take some getting used to if you're not accustomed to the UK way of driving on the left side of the road. Furthermore, the rough weather and decreased sunlight in the winter time require careful preparation. Here's what you need to know about driving in Scotland.

Relocating is never easy — but it can become easier, with the right people to help you. Before relocating to Scotland, take enough time to choose your removal company and decide whether you just need moving services (i.e. moving your things to your new home) or more holistic relocation services (who can help you with things like healthcare, banking, even finding schools for your little ones). 

Until recently, the Scottish taxation system matched that of the rest of the UK, with three ‘bands' of tax rates (at 20%, 40% and 45%) depending on income. However, the system underwent a drastic change that came fully into effect during the financial year 2017/18. According to the new taxation brackets, people of lower incomes will now pay less, while the rates have increased for higher income holders. See below what applies now. 

Scotland has a long and proud history in education — being the first country worldwide ever to provide universal education to both girls and boys. But since that development in the 17th century, Scotland has kept the standards high with 19 world class institutions which attract more than 50 thousand international students from 180 countries every year. The reported rate of student satisfaction is the highest in all of the UK, and graduates from Scottish universities have the highest UK rate of employment (or furthering their studies). Sounds intriguing? Read on to find out the logistics about studying in Scotland. 

Scotland is very open towards expats, even after Brexit. If you're an EU/EFTA citizen, you can travel to Scotland with a valid ID or passport for an unlimited amount of time (consult our section on Travelling to Scotland). Third-country nationals will need a visa to enter and stay in Scotland, but the good news is that most different types of visa have recently been replaced by a single option, making the process much more simple.

Despite Brexit, the rules for travelling to Scotland (ergo, to the UK) have more or less remained the same. EU/EFTA citizens can still travel to Scotland with a valid ID or passport for an unlimited amount of time, while they also face no restrictions when it comes to foreign currency imports. Third-country nationals will need a visa and face some stricter restrictions when it comes to customs, but overall the process is quite straightforward.

Looking to find work in Lodz? Find all the needed information on the citys economy, labour market, and main industries in this article.

Looking for a job in Wroclaw? Learn more about the city and get some useful job hunting tips in this article.

Looking for work in Poznan? Here are some tips to help you in your search.

Poland is a great place to study, do business, or enjoy the country's vibrant culture and lifestyle. Coming to Poland, one may wonder how the process of searching for accommodation goes.

When planning a long stay in Poland, finding accommodation will be one of your main priorities. Here's a brief overview of the local rental market.

Looking forward to moving to Warsaw? Find out, in this article, how to find accommodation in Poland's dynamic capital.

Wondering how to find accommodation in Krakow? Learn about the specifics of the city's rental market in this article.

Poland's vibrant capital is open towards foreign expertise. In this article, find out how to find a work in Warsaw and get useful tips on your job search.

Looking for a job in Krakow? Here are some tips to guide you through your search.

Looking forward to setting up a business in Poland? Here are some guidelines on relating procedures and conditions.

Looking for an internship in Poland? Find out how and where to look for opportunities, learn about visa requirements, working conditions, and more in this article.

Wondering what life is all about in Poland? Here is an overview of the Polish culture, traditions, cuisine, pastimes, etc.

Relocation will be an important part of your expatriation project to Poland. Here are some guidelines to help you.

Moving to Poland with your pet? Find out about the requirements you will need to meet when entering the country with a pet.

Wondering what are the means of transport available in Poland? Find out in this article.

Like most European capital cities, Warsaw has a rather developed transport system. Find out more in this article.

Wondering how to keep yourself busy in your free time in Poland? Find all that you need to know about leisure in Poland in this article.

Find, in this article, everything you need to know about the leisure activities available in Warsaw, the Polish capital city.

Find, in this article, an overview of the Polish telecommunications market and some tips to help you get connected.

Are expats allowed to drive in Poland? Can they use their international driver's license? Find out in this article.

Rebekah is an avid traveler and blogger, born in Dublin, Ireland. After growing up with her parents in the UK, she lived in Germany, the Greek Islands, and South Korea. Back to Europe, she met her Spanish husband, and they got married in New Zealand. Today, they live in the Netherlands with their two kids. The author of Write Now Rebekah speaks to Expat.com about her expat experience and passion for blogging.

Find, in this article, all that you need to know on the Polish tax system and discover how to settle your tax payments.

Looking forward to studying in Poland? Find out useful information about the country's higher education system, university enrolment process, student life, and more in this article.