Categories ArchivesRelocation

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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Pregnant and Relocating: How to Ease Moving Pains without Epidural

Relocating while pregnant probably tops the list of things to be avoided, if possible. But sometimes the timing of life events is not always in your hands.  Here are 9 tips to ease the some of the pain, in the hope that once your new addition arrives, you’ll be well settled in and ready to welcome him or her to your new family home. The most important bit of general advice we can offer is: plan as far in advance as possible, and do your research. This may not always be possible, and sometimes there are last-minute unforeseen circumstances, but generally, you should have quite a bit of time to get organized. Research Check out your new town for medical ...

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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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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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Free to a good home: How to donate your unwanted belongings

While it’s true your “junk” may be someone’s “treasure,” how do you decide what to donate and to whom? Depending on your community, the answers to those questions may vary. There are places that will take anything, in any condition; however nowadays, most charities have some basic rules to prevent an inundation of, well… junk. Follow these handy guidelines to help you thin out your belongings and to be sure they are on their way to good homes. Be Ruthless After all, you are moving; do you really want to pay for the privilege of packing it, shipping it, and unpacking it, only to relegate it to a corner in your new attic? Heirlooms, antiques, and family treasures aside, if ...

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Things to Know Before Moving to Italy

Italy is a top destination for those looking to make a move abroad, and with good reason; whether you’re in search of nightlife, culture, or natural beauty, Italy offers all that and more; à la Under The Tuscan Sun, when people visit Italy, they inevitably find a good number of enchanting reasons to move there. Enthralled by the natural beauty and abundance of art and history, travelers are often hooked by the time they say Ciao to this captivating country. Italy’s Appeal: History Everywhere you look in the Italy, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of years of antiquity. A simple walk down the street can turn into an impromptu history lesson as you pass remarkable churches, homes, and even castles. Culture On ...

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