Expat interviews
Malaysia
Andy describes himself as a third culture kid, born in the Philippines to Scottish and Filipino parents. He grew up in Saudi Arabia and studies in Scotland, and then went to teach in Vietnam following his studies. Nowadays, he lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Japan
Rey comes from New Jersey but has lived in different States. Following his retirement, he moved to Yokohama three years ago with his Japanese wife. Nowadays, he enjoys writing and publishing his articles about Japan online.
Thailand
Expat in Thailand since 14 years, John decided to live far from the coast and set his luggages next to River Kwai, in Kanchanaburi. In this interview, he gives us his feelings about living as an expat in this country where culture and way of living are completely different.
USA
Karin was born in Germany but traveled the world with her parents during her childhood. Many years later, she met an American national to whom she got married. Both now live in Fort Wayne where she works as a Senior Programmer Analyst.
Spain
Since she was 13 and her first trip in Europe, Heather knew that she will live on the old continent. She's now living in Galicia, Spain, with her boyfriend, teaching english and living. She gives us her US expat feelings about this delicious country.
Ecuador
Danica comes from Canada. She has stayed in the USA and in Mexico for several years before traveling Europe. Retired, she now lives in Ecuador with her husband. In this Interview, she talks about her everyday life in Cuenca.
Oman
Phillip comes from South Africa. He moved to Muscat four years ago following a job offer. In this Interview, he talks about his everyday life in Oman and shares his passion for traveling and photography.
United Arab Emirates
Emma and her husband landed in Dubai since one year. Working in the airline industry, this Australian expat gives us her sincere testimony about a country in constant evolution.
India
Karen was born in Ireland but has lived for long in Stratford upon Avon, England. She moved to India, 18 months ago, with her husband following his job posting. Nowadays, she teaches voluntarily in Pune.
Myanmar
Indonesian and married to a Burmese man met in U.S, Jane decided to live in Myanmar with him. From the economical capital, she gives us her vision of this multicultural country and unfortunately too much unknown.
罢眉谤办颈测别
Jane comes from Sydney. Married to a Turk, she has been visiting their family in Turkey for years before finally deciding to move to Mersin in 2012. In this Interview, she tells us about her daily life in her new home.
Germany
Teacher and researcher in one of Bremen's universities, but also blog writter, Mandi lives in Germany since 2008. She gives us her vision, as an American expat, about the country of Goethe.
Canada
Hayley comes from Townsville, Australia. Following her trip to Canada back in 2013, she moved to Vancouver a month ago. She works in the hospitality sector and is a part-time journalist.
Czech Republic
When he arrived in Czech Republic from Canada, where his girlfriend lives, Kevan didn't know that the country will be his new home. Living there since 2004, now in Brno, the second largest city, the canadian gives us his vision of this country of Central Europe.
France
Tim comes from the USA where he used to be a development and finance specialist. In 2005, he moved to France with his partner Michael. He settled in Nice in 2013 after spending a few years in Paris.
Fiji
Rebecca discovered Fiji Islands during her honeymoon and fell literally in love with this paradise on earth. Since 20 years, she lives there, on Taveuni, the third largest island over the 300 that compose the country. She gives us her expat testimony through this interview.
Spain
"Slow-travel" lover since more than 10 years and expat since 2000, Ina lived in seven different countries! Now, she set her luggages in Barcelona with her boyfriend, learning spanish and writing for her blog. She gives us her feelings about how a serial-expat way of life looks like, between France, UK, Ireland, Spain and Australia.
China
Lisa comes from South Africa where she worked as a teacher. In 2013, she was offered a new job in China. She stayed in Rizhao for three years until she moved to Shenzhen recently.
Other Types
Work
For many workers, retirement abroad is the ultimate reward after a long career. But an increasing number are making the move earlier than planned. While some actively pursue early retirement overseas, others find themselves leaving work sooner than expected.
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.
Schools & studies
Starting at a new school used to be about standing in lines, printing folders of documents, and going on campus tours. Today, in many schools, the enrollment process looks very different. Lots of things can be done online – and sometimes the first time you and your child will step foot in the new school will be on the actual first day. For expats and their kids, this is a trend that works in their favor. Because now they can explore, apply, interview, tour, and even enroll in a school before they are even there. Here's how it works.
Work
More people than ever are considering entrepreneurship abroad. While securing a visa, funding and the right legal status are important, long-term success depends on much more. Before launching a business overseas, what are the key questions every entrepreneur should ask themselves?
Everyday life
The biggest difference between moving counties and moving continents is the distance. Duh, you might think. But it's not only the physical distance itself. It's also how this distance feels. Moving from Spain to Germany is a big life change. But not quite as big as moving from Germany to Brazil. You are now a Transatlantic flight away from everything that you used to know as home. And even if the culture may not be that different, everything else probably is.
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.
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