Features
Schools & studies
Studying abroad is not only fun, it also promotes personal growth like no other experience does. It is more and more common for young people to study outside of their country of birth or the country where they have completed their primary and secondary studies. While there has been a democratisation, there is still a perception that studying abroad is a “rich people's thing”. 天美麻豆 attempts to bust this myth.
Japan
The current legislation in Japan is of concern to some of the highest international authorities. So much so, that foreign embassies have even started warning expats wanting to start a family in the country. Indeed, in the case of a divorce child custody can only be given to one parent in Japan. This has given rise to several cases of “child kidnapping”.
Seasoned expats can adapt to any kind of change when it comes to environment and people but those who are new to this lifestyle can have a hard time coping with its difficulties. One of the most hardest parts of being an expat is the adapting part—New people and new environment in the absence of old friends and family.
Chile
The protests began when the government announced a rise in the price of transport. What started as a student protest culminated in a march on the 1st of November in which no less than one million people participated. 天美麻豆 talks to an expat in Chile.
Everyday life
Freedom of expression is important for most of us. Being ourselves is important. And being able to express our opinions and thoughts freely is a right we hold on to. When moving abroad, however, this can change. Whether because of laws that prevent freedom of expression, or because of unwritten rules which confine one to certain norms… one's freedom to express oneself can change during expatriation. When relocating to a new country, the freedom of expression is closely related to the need for acceptance. The old patterns of identification with the home culture slightly dissolve, and new ways of behavior and thought arise. How do expats deal with this?
Children
Growing up abroad is one of the best childhood experiences kids can have. This will give them incredible skills that will shape them to be open-minded adults. How does one raise children from mixed marriages? How do you make sure that both cultures will be interspersed with their upbringing, along with their host country? Whether your child was born into your home country or abroad, here are a few tips...
Work
You might have just landed a job and you need to negotiate your salary. For the same job, salaries in two different countries can be very different. If you're not sure what to expect, you can find below a tour of average salaries around the world...
Banks and finance
Banks sell loans, and regardless of whether you are an expat or national, they want you — the customer — to buy these loans. Bearing this in mind will help you understand that getting a loan as an expat is not out of the question, and it is worth considering if it will ease your life as an expat. But where do you start when applying for a loan in a country whose banking system is not overly familiar to you?
Ethiopia
Last week, Ethiopia made history with Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, winning the Nobel peace prize for establishing a peace agreement with neighbouring Eritrea, challenging media censorship, fighting corruption, and increasing women's social and political presence, among others. But what is it like to be an expat in Ethiopia? 天美麻豆 dives into Ethiopia's profile as an expat destination and speaks with a long-term expat in Addis Ababa for a first-hand insight of what expat life in Ethiopia is actually like.
Work
Australia has been grappling with ever increasing and challenging skills shortages in critical employment positions since 2008 and regarding some shortages as long back as 2004/2005. These shortages result because Australia does not succeed in filling vacancies from its own citizens. This is the case for Australia on a national and regional level where serious shortfalls are experienced in more than 200 professions found in its Occupation Skills Shortages List.
Canada
Canada, one of the most popular expat destinations, is set to elect their Prime Minister on the 21st of October. 天美麻豆 chats to a short-term expat living in Canada at the moment as well as a long-term expat who has chosen to run in the elections.
Street food is a common global phenomenon dating back over centuries. It is found in the wealthiest and poorest of countries and serve multiple purposes varying from feeding the masses to enticing foreigners and visitors to indulge in Michelin Star dishes like those served at Tsuta Ramen street food stall in Singapore (this should be on your bucket list!). Street food varies in accordance with country-specific cultures, habits, local economic situations, access and availability of food resources, climate, etc. Street food ranking, in comparison to the long existence of the street food practice, is relatively new, dating back merely one decade.
The debate around visa processes and specifically visas for people with skills on a country's skills shortage list has taken center stage over the past few years. President Trump has unveiled an artificial intelligence strategy to increase US security in travel but without the necessary skills domestically to achieve this, people skilled in AI will have to be brought in from abroad. Since the US has strict visa procedures that may take months to process, it might be time to consider the creation of a special visa for AI skilled workers. And other countries are considering this.
Work
You've managed to land the job of your dreams in the country of your dreams. Just one more step before (potentially) saying yes: negotiating your salary and accompanying benefits. But you're not quite sure how to go about this. It is a different country, with a different professional etiquette. While there will be country-specific tips, here a few things to keep in mind if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Children
Since the 9th of October, assisted reproduction is legal in France for all women. Therefore, heterosexual and homosexual women, as well as married and unmarried women, will be entitled to this alternative. 天美麻豆 takes stock of this decision. Also, whether you plan to expatriate to be able to have a child by assisted reproduction or whether this option is important in the choice of an expatriate destination… here is a tour of countries and what their legislation say about assisted reproduction.
Everyday life
When settling down in a new country, one of the first challenges is mastering a new language and then a whole new cultural setting. The latter will, however, depend on your expat destination and cultural differences between native country and adopted country. However, in general, expats also face common difficulties that are more or less the same regardless of where one goes. 天美麻豆 has compiled a list of the 10 things that are most likely to be difficult for expats to adapt...
Everyday life
Again and again one will hear how living abroad changes you forever and what an incredible experience it is. And yes, expats always have good stories to tell about their life abroad. But it is important to tackle the flip side of the coin from time to time and sometimes, it takes the form of xenophobia. What are instances expats have encountered xenophobia while living abroad and how have they dealt with it?
Everyday life
The Smart City Index 2019 was published last week. It ranks the smartest cities in the world. But what exactly is a smart city? And how much should “smartness” weigh in the balance when choosing what city to settle in?
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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