Lifestyle - Expat News

Lifestyle - Expat Magazine

Moving abroad is a thrilling adventure—but safety should never be left to chance. Just as you wouldn't travel without a first-aid kit, you also need a digital “safety kit” to protect yourself in daily life. So, what essentials should every expat have on hand? Here's a practical checklist of tools and apps designed to keep you safe, wherever your journey takes you.

Expat life: Balancing double culture and identity

There are parts of expat life people don't mention at first. Most of the time, you'll hear about the excitement of adventure, the new flavors, the breathtaking landscapes. But few talk about the moment, months or even years later, when it hits you: you're no longer fully “from here,” yet you're not completely “from there” anymore either. This is the true reality of long-term life abroad. It isn't only about adapting—it's about blending. Day by day, your life becomes a patchwork of languages, habits, and cultural references. You catch yourself starting a sentence in your host country's language and finishing it in English, French or Spanish without even realizing. That's when you understand what it really means to live between two cultures.

Resilience and belonging in expat life: Roberta Maretti's journey

Moving across borders is never just about changing your address — it's about reshaping your identity, navigating new beginnings, and learning to find “home” wherever you are. For Roberta Maretti, author of Where the World Took Me, the expat life began as a teenager in Tokyo and soon became a lifelong journey spanning continents, cultures, and countless reinventions. From raising children in Asia and the Caribbean to returning to Europe after years abroad, her story is one of resilience, curiosity, and the search for belonging. In this interview, she reflects on the challenges and gifts of a globally mobile life, the friendships and food that anchored her along the way, and the lessons she hopes to share with other expats carving out their own paths.

The secret to expat happiness: What makes cities feel like home

The expat adventure becomes meaningful once people grow a sense of attachment to the new place they live in. While charming villages and tranquil small towns are popular with expats seeking a slower pace of life, other expats are drawn to the energy, career opportunities, and vibrant social scene of cities. To learn more, we've asked members of 天美麻豆 what makes them happiest about the cities they've chosen as their second home.

Surviving culture shock during short stays overseas

Culture shock is a well-documented experience among travelers and expats. Popularized by anthropologist Kalervo Oberg in the 1950s, the concept describes the feelings of distress and frustration that can arise in an unfamiliar environment. These reactions can be particularly strong during short-term assignments, such as a study-abroad semester or a temporary professional posting.

Smart ways to furnish your home abroad on a budget

Moving abroad often means mastering the art of resourcefulness. Why spend a fortune on furnishings you could get for cheap—or even for free? Here's your savvy expat guide to creating your own “home sweet home” without draining your budget.

Expat guilt: How to cope with leaving your family behind

Moving abroad to work isn't always about excitement and adventure. For many, embarking on an expat journey comes with its fair share of anxiety, confusion, fear and even guilt. Expats may feel guilty about leaving their families, especially their elderly parents, behind. They may feel guilty about missing milestones back home, like 10-year high school reunions and the birth of nephews/nieces. How can they learn how to cope with this guilt and compensate for their absence in a positive way? Here are some tips.

How global conflicts are changing expat life

Even in 2025, relocating abroad remains possible. However, global instability is pushing expats to take additional precautions. Which countries are still considered safe? What risks should you assess before making the move? Here's a complete update.

How to stay safe as an expat in high-risk countries

Climate hazards, political instability, armed conflicts, and civil unrest—these are not just headlines for many expatriates. For those living in high-risk countries, these realities shape their everyday routines, decisions, and long-term plans. How do they adapt to this tension?

How to host family and friends when you live abroad

Welcoming loved ones when you're living abroad is a delicate mix of hospitality, planning, cultural awareness, and a touch of diplomacy. With everyone bringing their own expectations — plus the jet lag, mismatched schedules, sightseeing marathons, and maybe a few upset stomachs from unfamiliar food — what should be a relaxing family visit can quickly feel like a full-scale expedition. This practical guide, shaped by real-life expat experiences, is here to help you turn those family visits into meaningful memories — not survival tales.

Preparing for childbirth as an expat

Giving birth is one of the most powerful and life-changing experiences a woman can have. Doing it abroad? That adds a whole new layer of emotion and complexity. From navigating childbirth in a foreign language to adjusting to unfamiliar medical practices and postnatal care, expat parents often find their resilience and adaptability pushed to the limit. So how can you prepare for this pivotal moment while living overseas — and what should you be aware of?

Netherlands

Netherlands challenges expats to learn Dutch and connect locally

With a pointed question, Amsterdam city councillor and Labour Party member Lian Heinhuis is challenging both businesses and residents to rethink how expatriates fit into city life. Her proposal, Maak van Amsterdam je thuis (“Make Amsterdam Your Home”), was initially rejected. But on June 12, the city council gave it the green light. Its mission is straightforward: to help expats feel truly connected to life in Amsterdam.

Online dating for expats: How to spot red flags

Moving to a new country opens the door to fresh experiences—and that includes meeting new people. Dating apps can make it easier to connect, whether you're looking for companionship, a relationship, or just someone to explore the city with. But how can you make sure you're meeting the right person? And how do you stay safe while doing it?

Common scams expats should watch out for

Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure full of opportunities. But it also means getting to know a place that may still feel unfamiliar. Unfortunately, scams are common—especially in large cities. Expats who don't yet speak the local language or understand how things work can be easy targets. To help you avoid problems and settle in smoothly, here are some key insights into the most common types of scams you must beware of.

How to know if you made it abroad

Many aspects of life today are shaped by constant judgment and evaluation—annual reviews, performance indicators, goal assessments, skills audits, and more. But should we apply the same lens to an international relocation? Living abroad is a rich and complex experience, which raises an important question: how—and why—should we evaluate it? Is it to strengthen an application for a new role and better reflect the value of our intercultural experience? To gain clarity about future goals in an international setting? Or perhaps to make sense of the reasons behind a return?

Moving abroad? Here's what no one tells you about the first six months

Being an expat isn't easy. It can be fun, interesting, eye-opening – but it comes with its share of hardships and lessons. Today, we are focusing on the lessons we learn as expats at the very beginning of the journey. Here are the six lessons you will most likely learn in your first half a year abroad.

USA

Moving from the UK to the US: David and Ginge's real estate journey

Relocating from the UK to the US is more than a change of address—it's a shift in culture, language, and daily life. David and Ginge, co-leaders of Brits of Compass, know that firsthand. In this interview, they share their journeys, the story behind the group, and how shared experiences help them support others making the same move.

When should you start planning for retirement abroad?

You've decided: retirement abroad is the plan. Whether you're relocating permanently or spending just a few years overseas, preparation is key. Many employers offer support as staff transition into retirement—but what happens when that next chapter unfolds in another country? When should you start planning? And what timeline will help you make the most of your new life abroad?