Features
Work
In some countries, there are talks about a "brain drain". This is another major challenge for developing countries whose health systems are still reeling from the Covid pandemic. How can countries attract and retain health workers? The shortage of health workers affects countries worldwide, even the wealthiest.
Everyday life
Moving abroad as a couple, finding love in a foreign country, and building a life together isn't always easy. And when you're an expat, feelings can be even more complicated. Sometimes, the journey together doesn't turn out as expected, and divorce becomes the only option. What can you do if you live in a country where getting a divorce is difficult?
Schools & studies
Is the rise in student mobility a result of the inflationary crisis? Rising prices in many countries are putting a strain on students' budgets. Many have already suffered the consequences of the health crisis, with the difficulty of keeping a small job and, therefore, saving money. With the ever-increasing cost of education, should you move abroad to study? Can it be cheaper? How do students balance cost and quality of life?
Work
Working abroad can be psychologically daunting. Culture shock, homesickness, different corporate norms, and even different weather can easily lead expats to depression and burnout. This is why it's important to choose an employer who values your mental health and has implemented workplace policies that give you a great environment to thrive in.
Work
Workations are short-term or mid-term trips that combine work and holidays. They're an excellent solution for expats who can't afford to take a few weeks completely off work but do need a change of environment. The difference between “workations” and “digital nomadism” can be fuzzy, but it's generally assumed that digital nomadism tends to be more long-term. Many expats think that workations help them avoid burnout and make them more creative at work, but it can also put them under stress about how to manage their time and budget while doing two things at a time.
Everyday life
Finding fellow expats in a new country may be a dream come true — at first. However, if your expat circle prevents you from experiencing life in your new destination, you may want to start planning your escape. Here's what you should know.
Banks and finance
Managing your finances as an expat can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, online banking offers a practical and beneficial solution for expatriates worldwide. In this article, we will explore the benefits of online banking and see whether required to open a local bank account in their host country.
Work
You have just landed your dream job in the country of your choice and are elated. Isn't that exciting? But what if you suddenly learn that you're pregnant? Should such great news be a barrier to your move? What are the legal considerations regarding pregnancy, job interviews, and protecting pregnant individuals living abroad? Are there any risks involved in disclosing your pregnancy after being hired abroad?
France
It's all over the news: France, especially Paris, is said to be infested by bedbugs. In fact, since September, not only households but also cinemas, trains and underground trains in the French capital have been badly infested, as reported on social networks and in the media.
Work
Every work deserves proper compensation. However, the most awaited income can be accompanied by more or less confusing factors. It can be hard to break down a payslip, especially for an expatriate. From payment dates to bank transfers and cash issues, here are the things that can surprise expats working abroad.
Tax
Taxation is perhaps one of the least attractive aspects of living abroad. Depending on the destination, filling taxes or working on a particular tax initiative can be simple or complex. It's not always easy to understand the tax jargon and the different people involved in the process. So let's have a look at some of the world's more straightforward to the more complicated tax systems for expats.
Schools & studies
The educational guidance company IDP Connect recently published its Emerging Futures 3 report. In it, they analyze which destinations international students prefer and why. Canada came out as a top favorite, followed by Australia, the US and the UK in that respective order. The quality of education, post-study work opportunities and safety emerged as the key factors in choosing a destination.
Everyday life
Returning home after a long time abroad can be a truly rewarding and much-awaited experience. However, it can also pose several distinct challenges, from reverse culture shock to even a new language barrier. Let's see what can be done to make the transition easier.
Schools & studies
Should students wear school uniforms? The subject is once again being debated in France. In most countries, uniforms are much more than just a question of clothing. They play a key role in promoting equality, the sense of belonging to a group and combating discrimination. In some countries, on the other hand, they are failing to combat inequality. So, which countries have made wearing school uniforms compulsory, and where is it no longer the norm?
Schools & studies
If you're planning to study or work abroad, have you checked whether your diploma or program will be recognized in your target country? Diploma recognition isn't necessarily the first thing that comes to our mind when we plan to move abroad for work or study. However, the non-recognition of your diploma or degree can have a particular impact on your plans.
Formalities
Long waiting periods for obtaining your visa, a reply from the administrative services, or guidance to the correct department can be time-consuming and discouraging for prospective expats. Bureaucracy is a world apart, with each country having its own rules and contradictions, culture and way of functioning. It imposes certain restrictions on locals and expats, as well. But can excessive bureaucracy be a hurdle to moving abroad plans? We will try to answer this question in this article.
Work
Have you ever considered getting paid for cuddling pandas, playing video games, testing amusement parks and sweets, playing a friend for a day, or being a guest at a party? These are often called "the most exciting jobs in the world". They are so much fun that it's hard to believe they actually exist. But can expats take up such jobs?
Everyday life
Moving to a new country can be an exciting and challenging experience, with many opportunities to explore a new culture and way of life. One of the most exciting aspects of settling into a new country is discovering the local cuisine. Trying new foods and flavors is a fantastic way to immerse oneself in a new culture and create lasting memories. However, with new cuisines come new challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet.
Other Types
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.
USA
Another blow for foreigners in the United States. On May 22, a memo from the US immigration services introduced a new rule aimed at limiting legal immigration. Apart from a few exceptions, Green Card applications will now have to be filed from the applicant's country of origin. What is the current situation?
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