Features
Children
It can be hard to decide whether to uproot your family and start over somewhere new. HSBC's Expat Explorer report has revealed a wealth of information about living abroad by surveying expats around the world, including parents. We take a look at the results for families, including which countries expats feel are the best for their children and what benefits they feel they have gained by moving abroad.
Everyday life
As the global trends towards health and fitness have picked up over the past years, with a vast population who won't stop talking about their clean eating journey, CrossFit classes, and seven-day-detox plans, it's hard to suppress the urge to become more active in our day-to-day lives. One of the easiest ways to get active is to shake up our commuting routine — after all, there must be more productive ways to use our time than staring at our phones on the bus or the subway.
Work
The freelance and entrepreneurial economies are thriving, especially among the Millennials and Gen Z working population. In 2016 there were 55 million freelancers in the USA, and it's estimated that by 2020 freelancers in the US will make 50% of the total workforce. But where do freelancers and digital nomads work? You have definitely seen them in the cafés or the park, however, with more than 10,000 coworking spaces around the world, remote work has been redefined. Here we look into the benefits of coworking spaces, the etiquette for deskmates, and we give you tips on how to choose the right coworking space for you.
Everyday life
Since the early 2000's there has been an international move towards eradicating smoking, and this has come in the form of different types of bans and regulations surrounding the sale and packaging of cigarettes. On World No Tobacco day, we look at some of the different laws around the world that aim to help prevent the damage caused by smoking.
Moving
The decision is made – you are moving abroad. But where do you start from? What do you need to get done before you leave? For the organised amongst us, making a list is probably the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly, and nothing is forgotten. As your departure date gets closer, you will need to operate to a timetable – it will help you not to miss your paperwork's deadlines and will ensure nothing is overlooked.
Work
Stepping into the world of digital nomads is a brave career and lifestyle choice to make. Due to the passion and uncertainty involved in such a radical change, we suspect that you don't just want to make it, you want to thrive! So, if you recognise in yourself some of the following trades – determination, independence, curiosity, and a healthy disrespect for authority – and you know what you are good at, then you are ready to launch your brand as digital nomad. Sara, a digital nomad and freelance writer, gives you some tips on how to make this profile outstanding and profitable.
Work
Startups are certainly about the idea, but they are also about location. Where you launch your startup can make all the difference in how quickly your business progresses and how successful and straightforward financing is. We take a look at Startup Genome's latest report on the world's best ecosystem for startups, and find out where the expat entrepreneur should be looking next.
Work
You want to rediscover your passion, to dedicate your time to a job that doesn't simply pay the bills — it makes your day. You know other people have done it, and you are ready to quit your nine to five and become a digital nomad. Here are a few top jobs that you could do remotely with all your heart while enjoying the freedom of travelling, managing your time, and balancing your life. Choose the job that best suits your talent and skills, and join a diverse community of digital nomads who have taken the courage to live life through experiences.
Everyday life
Think of all the times that food has helped you feel better — the chocolate-stuffed pancakes in your mum's kitchen when your heart was broken, the creamy and comforting pasta on a night out with your colleagues after a hustling and bustling day at the office. Now, what about the days abroad when homesickness hits and you long for familiar flavours, or simply want to impress your friends with your cooking skills? Food is part of your identity, and wherever you are, you can find home through a great dish. Here' s a guide on how to recreate your favourite meals (and the homey atmosphere) in your kitchen abroad from Kristyna, a Czech expat in England.
Everyday life
Expatriation is synonymous to adventures and discoveries — a different environment, cultures and traditions; all become part of your new life abroad. But how do you keep hold of the memories and show your friends, family, and the wider world what your host country has to offer? Catie, an American expat in Turkey shares with 天美麻豆 some tips to help you document your expat adventures.
Children
We are on the move more than ever — international air travel is commonplace and drives job opportunities, economic growth, cultural exchange, and leisure. As a result, we nurture a generation of frequent fliers who start to take off shortly after their birth. No matter how much you enjoy flying, if you are about to board a long-haul flight with your baby or a very young child, we understand it to be a whole different (and stressful) story. But, with some serious preparation (and good luck), flying with an infant can go smoother than you ever thought! Let's find out how.
Poland
Every country has its unique charms that attract foreigners -- from a different culture and unusual traditions, to delicious cuisines. Poland is no exception; as soon as you start living in the country, you will see how the different can also be exciting. Here are some interesting facts you might have never heard about Poland.
Banks and finance
One of the most important parts of life abroad, if you aren't making the big bucks, is living on a budget. This will be easier in some countries than others, thanks to cheap food and utilities in one destination contrasting with extortionate rent and expensive transportation in others. Planning parts of your budget before you leave and once you arrive in the country can help with your overall adjustment to life abroad.
Banks and finance
There are some people lucky enough to enjoy a life of luxury abroad, with a seven figure salary and their employer fully funding luxury accommodation and flights. However, we're not all those people, and some of us have to worry about paying our rent and bills, after which we carefully budget how much money we have left to enjoy ourselves with. And who doesn't want that new pair of jeans or iPhone? A recent study by Deutsche Bank maps prices of different goods and services around the world, as well disposable income. Here, we look at where you can find yourself with the most spending power after rent.
Children
Becoming a parent is a joyous event, however it can also be a stressful time with a lot going on and a lot to learn. Where are you living is likely to have a significant impact on just how much help you receive as a new parent, so here are some of the countries that provide different kinds of assistance to new mums and dads.
Work
For fluent or native English speakers, teaching English abroad is often a great opportunity to experience life in another country. The importance of English as an international language means that other expats as well as native residents are often keen to have their children learn English, alongside local or other widely spoken languages. So, it may be easier than you think to take the leap and jump into life in your dream destination.
Moving
When you move to a country for the first time, you are always learning new things about the place, such as how the system works, how the people act, and what social norms are acceptable. Finding your feet in a new environment will often mean that you make mistakes —from finding accommodation and meeting new people to knowing your employment rights and budgeting your money.
Moving
Unless you are a serial expat, moving abroad with just a couple of suitcases can seem daunting, or even impossible! If hiring a moving company to ship your belongings abroad isn't an option, then you may have to resort to making a long-term move with just your luggage. However, with some preparation, you can ensure that you take all your necessities and do your utmost to make sure that they get to your destination safely.
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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