Categories ArchivesExpats

Cost of Living around the World

When it comes to moving abroad and finding a suitable city in which to live, there are many factors that need to be taken into account. The cost of living and your earning potential are among the most important. But balanced against that are cultural differences, environment, climate, language, and a dozen other aspects which can – and will – surface as you embed yourself in a new location. Our initial focus is on the more and less expensive cities in which to live, and to give some comparative figures. Let’s first of take a quick overview based on the latest figures provided by Expatistan: London is 10% more expensive than in New York New York is 21% more expensive ...

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New Family on the Block: How to Meet Your Neighbors After Moving

You’ve just moved into your new home in your new town, and your family is busy deciding where the TV be placed and how to position the furniture. Movers are swarming all over your new home, and it feels like you’ll never be sane again. Then, along comes a new neighbor with an apple pie and a tray of tea, coffee, or cold drinks, and your faith in humanity is restored. This is the standard scenario we’ve all come to expect when we move into a new neighborhood. But how many of us actually reciprocate once moving day is done and the dust settles? What should you do to be accepted in the community? Here is a list of tips, ...

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The Top 10 Ways that Children Benefit from Moving Internationally

It’s finally come through! That longed for promotion with a company-paid relocation to an exotic foreign country with all the perks, excitement…and anxiety. It will be great for you or your partner; settling in to a new position, meeting new people, exploring new ways of doing business. But what about your kids? How will they adapt, how will they handle this move away from their friends, school, and familiar environment? How will they be influenced by a completely different language and cultural behavior? They will become “Third Culture Kids” (TCKs), a term that was coined for expatriate children by American sociologist Ruth Hill Useem in her sociological studies of children who have spent a significant period of their childhood or ...

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Tips for Helping Your Child Adjust to School Abroad

The first day at any new school, even in your own neighborhood, can be exciting and scary for kids – and for parents – so the first day at a new school in a totally new country, can be quite overwhelming for both: but it needn’t be. It can also be a very exciting growing and learning experience. It all depends on how well parents and children are prepared, and how open-minded they are to change and new challenges. Let’s first consider all the things that may be different: Language – Never mind foreign languages: even the same language e. g. English, in a different accent, with different terms and expressions can be a huge challenge. Just think of Americans ...

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London Schools: Where Should American Expats Send Their Children?

There are a multitude of education options for expat kids in the London, so how can you choose which one is right for yours? The opportunity to live and go to school in the U.K. can be a remarkable experience for any child, which will influence the rest of his or her life. The core subjects of the national curriculum will have a different focus than in the United States, and your child will be exposed to new and different topics of study than those his or her previous American classmates. There are three primary options for schooling: government-run state schools, private schools (called “public schools” in the U.K.), and international schools. Of the three, only state schools are tuition-free for all students. ...

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Which Countries Have the Best Education Systems?

Top 10 countries for education around the world One of the primary advantages to moving abroad with school age children is that they are given a unique opportunity to experience a new culture, a new language, and a different way of life There are a number of different options for educating children abroad, including home schooling, public schools, and international schools that follow the same curriculum, language, and calendar across the globe. However, many parents opt to enroll their kids in local schools precisely to immerse them in an authentic environment.  Even if the local language of instruction is not English, local schooling is not prohibitively difficult for children and is, in fact, desirable to the family. According to the ...

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Moving to Canada with Kids: International school vs. public school

When making the move to a new country such as Canada, navigating a new education system can be a daunting prospect full of conflicting advice. Where should you send your children: an international school like other expats, or a local district public school? Or perhaps you might prefer to home school. There are advantages to each and the decision is not always straightforward. The Canadian education system is known for its high standards, and comprises four public school models, private schools, and home schooling. To help you make the best decision for you and your children, we have summarized the main features of each. Overview of Canadian School Systems By law, children in Canada must go to school from the ...

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Around the World on the Fourth of July

To me, Independence Day has always meant parades, barbeques, fireworks, and national pride bordering on the ridiculous – with flags emblazoned on baseball caps, bald eagles proudly flaunted on t-shirts, and Yankee Doodle playing enthusiastically ad-nauseam. But around the world, the fourth day of July is no different than the fifth or the twenty-fifth . . . except to the expats whose heart still beats to the sound of “The Star Spangled Banner” even in their new homelands. Around the world, the Fourth may not be like it is at home, but there are certainly some celebrations for Americans and Americans-at-heart. London London is teeming with Fourth of July celebrations. Though a bit ironic (since the day does celebrate Independence ...

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Fun Facts About Moving to Israel

Israel, “the land of milk and honey”, has been welcoming immigrants for over 100 years. On May 14, 1948 (the 5th of the month of Iyar, 5708) the Israeli government proclaimed that, “The State of Israel will be open for Jewish immigration and for the ‘Ingathering of the Exiles.” Since then, the Israeli government has enforced an active and positive immigration policy that empowers their position as the world’s only Jewish state. As part of that policy, the integration of immigrants into Israel’s community has been a top priority for the State of Israel since the establishment of the state. Those arriving in Israel with the intent to immigrate will find an exceptional level of support from Ministry of Aliyah ...

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What You MUST Know Before Moving to the Netherlands

Named the 4th happiest country in the world by the United Nations World Happiness Report, the Netherlands top tier ranking is probably a reflection of its high quality of life, relatively stable economy, and mild climate. “Vibrant”, “alive”, “fresh”, and “open” are but a few of the words used to eloquently describe Amsterdam, the city of canals and bridges that is almost synonymously associated with the Netherlands. Still, the Netherlands is so much more than just Amsterdam, with Rotterdam being the largest cargo port in Europe, and The Hague being home to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, as well as host to the United Nations along with New York, Geneva, Addis Ababa and Vienna. Home to ...

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