Veedushi Bissessur

With an area of 8,514,876 km2, Brazil is the largest South American country and the fifth-largest in the world. Bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, it stretches deep into South America and encompasses the entire Amazon Basin, and boasts beaches, wetlands, and mountainous regions as well. Brazil shares a border with every other South American country except Chile and Ecuador. The capital of Brazil is Brasilia, while Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo are the most popular destinations for those visiting Brazil.

Finland is a good place to raise kids. With so much of its GPD going towards daycare and education, you know you'll have all the tools and resources you need -- as long as you have a municipality of residence, of course. Apart from that, the country also boasts an impressive network of international schools and private options for daycare, as well as processes that will make things as smooth as possible for you, if you're looking to adopt.

Finland is a country of contrasts. Its vast wilderness and majestic landscapes will make you want to hop on a pair of skis or a kayak and start exploring, though its harsh weather will make you want to stay at home. Thankfully, there are many leisure options in the city as well, from tasting local produce and attending some of the numerous festivals and performances, to just relaxing in a sauna.

Finland takes technology and connectivity issues very seriously. This is a country where broadband access is guaranteed, by law, to everyone, even in the most secluded areas. There are twice as many data subscribers as there are people in Finland, and “landlines” are a relic of the past no one uses anymore. Welcome to the future. After a while, you won't be able to fathom how you were able to live any other way.

International relocation is not easy. It requires plenty of research and thorough planning on your behalf -- and still, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Nonetheless, Finland makes it as easy as possible for you to start your new life, With its relatively relaxed customs procedures, its many relocation services that can help you out in your first steps and its commitment to supporting diversity and equality, this country will become your new home with less hassle than you'd originally thought.

Driving in Finland is not without its challenges. Not so much because of the driving culture, which is mostly laid-back and friendly, or because of the roads, which are, for the most part, in perfect condition. The main problem is the weather and the lack of light -- which combined with the long distances of this sparsely populated country take some serious driving skills to navigate safely. The fact that people in Finland start doing so from a younger age (the age limit is 15 years old for mopeds and tractors) may seem disconcerting at first, but the thorough driving lessons and strict adherence to traffic regulations make sure that no unnecessary risks are being taken.

Winters in Finland can be harsh and can make even the notion of travelling from point A to point B seem daunting. But you don't have to worry spending most of the year stuck at home, as Finnish public transportation works well and can take you almost everywhere in this large country, on time. Of course, you can also opt to drive -- but you'll need to make sure to adhere to the country's sometimes strict traffic regulations.

Taxation in Finland, as in all Nordic countries, can be steep (up to 42% of your income in total, if you add social security and insurance contributions). However, it's also fair and the way it's structured actually gives expats the ability to not pay taxes right away. Add that to the fact that you don't really have to do anything manually, since the taxes are deducted directly from your salary each month, and you probably won't be complaining at the end of each month.

If you're an international student in Finland, chances are you'll be pleased with the education available. Finland's higher education system (touted as 'the best in the world' in 2016) offers great international connections, academic freedom and prestigious universities, 5 of which have been ranked among the world's best. Add that to the fact that you can choose between over 400 full-degree programmes that are available in English, and you can easily understand why Finland is such an attractive destination for students.

In Finland, it is actually more common to purchase a property instead of renting it. Finding good accommodation at a good price can be hard, especially in large cities like Helsinki. For the most part, the type of accommodation available for rent is apartments (houses for rent are very rare), usually unfurnished and rather on the small side. There is the more affordable option to get housing subsidised by the state, but this is not available to expats very often and, in any case, requires you to be on a long waiting list.

Regardless of your nationality, you may be able to work in Finland without a residence permit in some cases. For instance, if you've received an invitation to move to Finland, as part of a contract to work as a teacher, interpreter or a sports referee, if you're here to pick berries, fruit or vegetables, or if you are in the country as an asylum seeker with valid travel documents. In all these cases though, you may not exceed the three-month time frame. You must, however, have a valid visa for Finland, if you're not a Nordic citizen or a citizen of an EU member state.

Russia's capital city has always conjured up some kind of mysterious fascination amongst foreigners. Despite all the stereotypes which have persisted over time, Moscow is a very safe and nice place to live and there is much more to do in winter than just hibernate in your flat!

A peninsula situated in Northern Europe, between Scandinavia and Russia, Finland acts as the symbolic border between Northwestern and Northeastern Europe -- and in its psyche, it carries a bit of both. The country of the Aurora Borealis and the Midnight Sun is also the most religious country in all Scandinavia, the first to introduce a basic universal income for the unemployed and the second best in the world for gender equality (as of 2017). After some brief financial difficulties from 2009 onwards, Finland’s economy is once again on the rise making this a very happy country to live in, despite the long winters and harsh temperatures.

Estonia has an extensive road system with a big emphasis on security. This is apparent in the strict regulations that are in place when it comes to driving under the influence, in the rules that make driving in cities as stress-free as possible, and the security precautions during wintertime (you are obliged by law to have your snow tires on from 1 October to 1 March). It’s also reflected in the fact that driver’s licences need to be renewed every ten years, and although the legal driving age is 18 years old, you need to be older to rent a car (sometimes you may need to pay a “young driver’s fee”). To maintain this system, Estonia encourages expats to exchange their non-EU driving licences for Estonian ones and, in some cases, retake the driving test.

In a country that is so digital, it’s citizens are actually very big on unplugging and spending stress-free time in nature — and Estonia’s untouched, almost mystical nature, can actually provide you with countless ways to do just that. As for the city life, there are way too many festivals and events taking place in cities such as Tallinn or Tartu. Your only challenge might be to make time in your calendar for all of them.

Remember that recurring joke in American movies and sitcoms, how parents felt they had to enrol their children in a good school from the moment the child was born to be able to get in? Well, it’s not so much of a joke in Estonia. With the country’s statewide services when it comes to parental benefits and childcare processes being top notch, and taking into account the fact that Estonia is still a small country, municipal kindergartens have such long waiting lists that parents put their children’s names in as soon as they’re born. But Estonia has thought of many ways to make your life as a parent easier.

Estonia is undeniably one of the most well-connected countries in the world; pretty much everywhere enjoys fast internet speeds and the number of cell phones per person is one of the highest in the world. But at the end of the day, Estonia is still a small country -- which means that the market is small as well (Estonia has three major cell phone providers and three major TV/Internet providers) and there’s a big competition on reasonably priced services. Here’s what you need to know in order to make the most of it.

Although these are great ways of addressing the big questions of moving to Estonia, you may still need some help with the more practical aspects of relocating and moving your stuff.

Estonia is a small, compact country, which makes travelling and transportation very easy. It may not have many big, dual carriageway motorways for instance, but its roads are always safe and cleared from the snow in winter time when the weather conditions can be extreme. The public transport is reliable and the traffic, thanks to clever apps and tools for finding and paying for parking space and avoiding queues at border checkpoints, never gets out of hand.

Paying taxes is, by definition, never an enjoyable process but Estonia manages almost to make it so. Welcome to the country where it takes three minutes to file your taxes online. The tax rate is 20%, standard for everyone, and deducted monthly from your salary. Also, there’s no such thing as inheritance or estate taxes in Estonia. Ready to re-examine everything you thought you knew about taxes?

With its wholly digitalised processes and lean infrastructure, Estonia is one of the best countries to expatriate to for work. But what happens when it comes to picking a place for your studies? Well, the prevailing horizontal work culture applies to studying as well, with small group sizes in classrooms ensuring you’ll have all the opportunities you need to absorb information and participate. Over 100 high-quality degree programmes in English, an affordable cost of living, and the possibility to stay in the country for six months after graduation, make Estonia a hotspot for international students.

Given the number of people that have been relocating to Estonia lately and the fact that key cities like Tallinn are rather small, it is understandable that you may need to move fast and put up a fight to find yourself a good apartment. You won’t be alone in this fight, and actually, you shouldn’t waste time trying to rent an apartment directly from the owner -- there are several real estate websites to help you with your search, and many real estate agency services that can do the work for you. Just be aware that the fee for the latter usually equals one month’s rent, and will come out of your pocket.

Estonia knows how to appreciate talent, and will make it as easy as possible for you to find a job. The country’s horizontal work culture is attractive to many expats, as it provides opportunities to climb the corporate ladder faster than in other countries. Work teams are smaller and more compact giving young professionals opportunities to lead. Add that to the fact that everything is digitised, which makes everyday work (and life) processes significantly smoother, and you will understand why so many expats are quickly relocating to this Baltic country.

A Baltic state in Northern Europe bordering Latvia and Russia, Estonia may not be on the top of a tourist's travel list. But it's a different story when it comes to digital nomads. Estonia is the first country in the world offering e-Residency to the travelling freelance community. The country has turned its hospitality towards digital nomads into a practical legal and business framework allowing digital nomads to set up and run their companies and banking digitally.

In the digital and tech-savvy society of Estonia, there is no time for bureaucracy and roadblocks when it comes to leveraging the skills of talented people from all over the world. Hence, you can work in Estonia without needing such a thing as a “work permit”, as long as your employer has registered you and you’ve gotten a D-visa (for non-EU citizens) or a residence permit.

Thanks to its position, travelling to and from Estonia is a breeze. There are many frequent connections with Scandinavia, Eastern and Central Europe, and Russia whether by sea, air or land. And if you add that to the fact that Estonia is a member of both the EU and the Schengen group of countries, then the chances that you’ll actually need anything more than your ID to enter the country are not that many.

"You've become a model for how citizens can interact with their government in the 21st century," said Barack Obama for Estonia back in 2014. Frankly, he couldn’t have said it better. This small country next to Russia may have only gained its independence as recently as 1991, but ever since that day has managed to make Europe, and the whole world, listen. While embracing its natural beauty (Estonia consists of 50% forests and has at least 1,500 islands) and its past (Tallinn, the capital, is the most well preserved medieval city in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Estonia is looking firmly towards the future. And that future is digital.

If one had to think of a country least associated with the lifestyle of the location-free, it would probably be Russia. With the popularised stereotypes of dreadful winters, bear sightings, and vodka-infused extravagant parties, the old Russia of rumours may not seem like a great place to visit. The modern Russia of today, however, is quite a fascinating destination to explore — but you will need to pack a coat.

Wealth, economic growth, human capital and business environment are key performance indicators to be considered by professionals and entrepreneurs seeking new prospects overseas. If you're looking to move to Europe, Expat.com gives you an insight into the most promising cities according to the LaSalle E-REGI Index 2017.

Vast regions of unspoilt nature, over 188,000 lakes, hip vibrant cities, and charming little towns — Finland has it all. Bordering Russia, Norway and Sweden, this small country manages to pack weeks of sightseeing into an incredibly compact form.

Marine's interest in journalism developed into a real passion during her stay in Vietnam as the co-editor of an online newspaper. Moving back to France, she decided to become an entrepreneur by launching her own news website. Marine is also a dedicated mom that juggles parenting and the responsibilities towards success.

Moving to Denmark is likely to be a thrilling experience – especially when you're aware of the basics such as the language, lifestyle, etc.. To help you understand Denmark better, Frederik Drost has compiled some surprising facts about his country.

Poland boasts a long Baltic coastline and has borders with many other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, namely the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The country is a valued nomad destination, pairing European lifestyle with a lower cost of living.

Kristin (also known as the Solar Super Mama) is an American expat in Belize — a country that she fell in love with at first sight, back in her college days. Kristin speaks to Expat.com about expat life with four kids in the picturesque Belize village of Monkey River and her wide range of passions — from nature and food to entrepreneurship, alternative ways of educating your children, and positive attitude towards life!

Slovakia is in Central Europe bordering Austria and the Czech Republic. It's one of the understated destinations in Europe, but with that come advantages of living and working in the country.

A member of the EU since 1995 but also one of the Schengen group of countries, Finland makes travelling a breeze for most nationals, though some may need a visa for Finland. Although situated at the northeastern corner of Europe, or maybe because of that, Finland is easily accessible by plane, boat, bus, train, car -- even by reindeer, if you're so inclined.

Lithuania is often called “the land of wood and water” for its many forests and lakes and the untapped potential of an ecotourism destination. This Baltic country lies in northern Europe in between Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Russia.

If you are an expat living in South Korea, you might have questions regarding the country's taxation system. First of all, note that you will have to pay tax if you are a resident of South Korea for more than a year. Make sure to seek related information with the Korean taxation authorities before travelling to Korea.

South Korea is known to be one of the most connected countries worldwide, and its telecommunications network is highly developed. If you are moving to South Korea, you can easily get your internet at home or a data plan for your mobile phone. On top of that, most public places also offer free Wi-Fi to its customers, and major cities such as Seoul have Wi-Fi throughout the city.

South Korea's telecommunications market is amongst the most developed worldwide. If you are moving to South Korea, it is fairly easy to get a mobile phone contract to be able to keep in touch with family and friends back home. There are countless mobile phone service providers with affordable monthly plans and packages.

If you are planning to move to South Korea, you should take enough time to choose the right moving company. It is an important step that should not be taken lightly. A moving expert can visit your home to assess the volume of items you wish to send abroad. You will have to specify which items require special care, such as kitchenware or art pieces. You can save money by disassembling pieces of furniture yourself and packing your dishes or smaller items into boxes.

If you are visiting South Korea for short-term, you are allowed to rent a car if you hold an international driving licence recognised by the South Korean authorities. To apply for an international driving licence, you have to contact the local authorities of the region you are staying in.

Are you planning to live in South Korea and travel around the country? South Korea has a highly developed transport network with a variety of means of transport to choose from. Whether you choose to travel by plane, train, bus, ferry or taxi, you can easily reach all parts of the country. Also, you can rent a car if you have an international driver's licence or get a Korean driver's licence and rent a car or buy your own.

Animated by a great team spirit, South Koreans regularly participate in sports tournaments and contests of different sports. In fact, there are countless types of sports practised in the country, and you will not have trouble finding the right sport to suit your needs. Football and baseball remain the South Koreans' favourite sports.

When you are living in South Korea, you can enjoy a wide range of leisure activities in your free time. There are various ways to discover South Korea's landscape, history, and culture. For example, many hike in the mountains, visit beautiful beaches along the long coast, travel to historical attractions or visit an amusement park.

South Korea is a popular destination for students wanting to pursue higher education in an Asian country. Many public and private universities offer high-quality degrees with affordable tuition and numerous programs taught in English. There are many different educational programs, a variety of housing options for students, and many scholarships available.

Busan is located around 450 km from Seoul and is the second largest city in the country. It is a very popular destination with a population of more than 3.5 million, including a large https://www.expat.community. As a result, it is not too hard to find suitable housing in Busan if you are planning to live and work in Busan.

Finding housing in South Korea will be among your first priorities. The Korean rental system is very different from most other countries, particularly due to high prices and the availability of properties. You will definitely have to be very patient and take your time in deciding which city and neighbourhood will best suit your needs.

Incheon is one of the largest South Korean cities with a population of more than three million. The city does not only attract thousands of tourists and expatriates from around the world, but also investors wanting to get a piece of the lucrative business opportunities and flexibility in regulations for investment.

During recent decades, South Korea has become a world economic power in its own right due to its numerous technical and technological innovations, its dynamic businesses, its industries, automotive and electronics, among others. The country has performed relatively well through the economic crisis with one of the lowest unemployment rate in OECD countries, that is less than 3% of the entire workforce.