Expat Women September Home Page

Hi Everyone, We have just uploaded our Expat Women September home page and we invite you to take a look at September's features and interviews:

Success Story
Elizabeth Perelstein
School Choice International
Liz Perelstein founded School Choice International, which now has 90 consultants in 50 locations worldwide. Liz also co–founded the British International School of New York, is a member of the WPO and was a semi–finalist in the 2009 International Women of Influence Awards...
Read more…

Business Idea
Firefly Coaching
Stephanie Ward
Stephanie is an American living in the Netherlands. Her passion for helping people inspired her to start Firefly Coaching, which aims to help small business owners grow their businesses into long–term sustainable enterprises... and have a great life at the same time...
Read more…

Visa Issues?
Top Tips For Getting Your Visa
Mark Johnstone
Ever fancied a life overseas? Well, chances are that you will need a visa. Moving to a new country can be a complex as well as daunting prospect and if there is one thing that can shatter your dream move, it is failing to obtain that all-important visa...
Read more…

Travel Writers
Learn From Lonely Planet Regular...
Celeste Brash
Celeste's travel articles have appeared in Islands Magazine, Voyageur Magazine and she is a regular contributor to the column Travels with Lonely Planet. She has also co-authored over a dozen Lonely Planet books. She lives in Tahiti, French Polynesia...
Read more…

Career Plan B
How Prepared Are You if You Lost Your Job Tomorrow?
Kelly Magowan
When it comes to 21st century employment and security, there is no doubt a healthy mix of pessimism is required. No matter how great you are at what you do, external factors can make us all vulnerable...
Read more…

Expat Confession
Domestic Violence Abroad
Expat Women Girlfriend
Hi. My friend is being beaten by her husband. She belongs to my book group and the other day she burst into tears. Her husband is very stressed at work and apparently drinks a lot and then comes home and gets angry very easily...
Read more…

Not A Member Yet?
If you are not an ExpatWomen.com member yet, please support us by signing up today. Our next members' newsletter should then come to your inbox next week.

Thank you very much and enjoy your September! Andrea

Are You An Innovative Expat Women Entrepreneur?

Hi Everyone, If you are an innovative, expat women entrepreneur who might like to gain some recognition and business exposure by being featured on our site, please pitch yourself (or your friends) to us here and tell us why you/they are fabulous!

3 Things To Remember Please:

(1) Make sure that your/their business idea has not already been covered by one of our previous Business Ideas interviews;

(2) Make sure your/their business has been running for at least six months; and

(3) Do not forget to tell us your/their nationality, current location and contact details.

Many thanks, Everyone! Andrea

Americans Abroad Sought For Radio Roundtable On Healthcare Comparions

Hi Everyone, Chelsea Merz, Producer of The Takeaway, is looking for Americans abroad for a roundtable to discuss how healthcare in the United States compares to other places.

"The Takeaway is the new national morning news program that delivers the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what's ahead. Host John Hockenberry, along with the BBC World Service, The New York Times and WGBH Boston, invites listeners every morning to learn more and be part of the American conversation on-air and online..."

If you are interested, please urgently email Chelsea directly. The roundtable is for Friday 28 August 2009. Thanks.

Expat Women: Tell Us Your Stories

Hi Everyone, Now that the Summer holidays are winding down for many of you, we're sure you have plenty of stories to tell. So please help us out by submitting a story to our Stories section. This is a well-read section of our site but we always need more contributions.

If you are not sure what to submit, please jump onto our Story Guidelines page for some direction. Many, many thanks!

Expat Eco Expo Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: October 17-18

Hi Everyone, If you are living in, or thinking of living in Malaysia, mark your calendars to attend the upcoming Expat Eco Expo '09.

The big event will take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2009, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The Expo is being run by Tri-Concepts Sdn Bhd - the group that publishes The Expat Magazine (Malaysia's leading monthly magazine for expats, that offers free subscriptions here) and numerous other publications, as well as maintains a host of websites (including ExpatKL.com, MM2H.com, and DineMalaysia.com) and memberships that cater to the needs of resident expats and promote Malaysia internationally.

I am excited to be part of the exhibition this year! If you go to the Expo, please call in and say hi at the Expat Women stand. Thanks. :-)

Leman Expat Fair - Switzerland

Hi Everyone, The Léman Expat Fair is coming up on September 27. If you are in Switzerland in the Geneva/Montreux area, you may like to take part. Here are some official words for Expat Women members from Mrs Jos van Megchelen:

"Don’t miss the 3rd edition of the Léman Expat Fair in Morges. 100 exhibitors – businesses, services, schools, organizations, clubs, etc. - will be available to help you integrate fast and easy in the Geneva-Montreux area. Also a lot of information is present for the English speakers already here for a longer period of time.

Free admission, Free parking and Fun for the kids. Enhance your expat experience and visit the Léman Expat Fair on Sunday September 27 from 10am until 5pm. Thank you!"

Congratulations Kim Edwards: Success Story Woman Wins Top Local Honour

Hi Everyone, Congratulations go out today to Kim Edwards, featured as our Expat Women August Success Story, who last week won one of the most prestigious business awards in her local region. Kim took out the Sunshine Coast Business Woman Of The Year award (Australia) - a much-coveted award which is highly competitive.

The judges commented in the press that:

"Ms Hamer said the judging panel had also been impressed by Ms Edwards' community-minded approach to teaching English around the world.
"The thing that struck me about her was that she considered English was not a privilege, it was a necessity for everyone to have," Ms Hamer said.

"When she went into one country, the English-speaking schools were charging thousands of dollars for people to do their program.

"She said 'we didn't need to charge that, we charged what we charged'. It was about everyone having the opportunity to learn."

Ms Hamer said Ms Edwards would be a wonderful ambassador for the Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network because she was a "personable person"."

Congratulations Kim and congratulations Sea English Academy!

Interested In Economic And Currency Updates?

Hi Everyone, Our Bronze Sponsor Exchange4Free offers free market reports (for economic and/or currency updates) and would like to invite anyone interested to check out their sample reports and/or sign up to their free newsletter here.

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Alternatively, clients can call our FX dealers for an unbeatable quote on your foreign exchange transaction. Exchange4free is an authorized money service business in the United Kingdom and has been operating for over 5 years.

Please view our Exchange4free website and feel free to contact us should you have questions relating to foreign exchange and doing international money transfers."

Update On Work Opportunity For Expats & Repatriates In The United States

Hi Everyone, If you are currently an expatriate or repatriate in the United States, and you might be interested in the opportunity to work as a Destination Services Consultant for Coppergate International, here is an update on last month's blog post...

Kerrie Wiseman, Managing Director of Coppergate International, is still looking for either expatriates living in the United States who could draw on their personal experience of relocating to help others move into their current location or for American Citizens who have relocated overseas and returned to the US.

With flexible hours, the role is perfect for spouses accompanying their partners on assignment or anyone without full-time work commitments.

Employees for all locations within the US will be considered, as Coppergate International’s business is growing rapidly.

However, the most urgent locations are currently:
FL: Orlando, Tampa and Sarasota
CA: Santa Clara Valley
GA: Atlanta, Savannah and Marietta
TX: Midland, Burleson, and Irving
MA: Attleboro, Boston and Lexington
PA: Pittsburgh
NC: Wendell and Greensboro
SC: Newberry
UT: Salt Lake City

If you are interested, please urgently:
(1) Visit Coppergate International's site to learn more about Coppergate International’s business; then
(2) Introduce yourself to Kerrie directly; and
(3) Kindly give Kerrie an overview of your expatriate experience, together with your reasons for being interested in this exciting role.

If you are not interested, please feel free to forward this to anyone you know who might be interested.

Many thanks, best wishes and good luck! Andrea

Disclaimer: Kerrie has generously agreed to make a small donation to Expat Women for each Destination Service Consultant appointed. Thanks for your support, Kerrie!

Moving To The United States?

Hi Everyone, If you are going to the United States as an expatriate, you might like to take a quick read of Coppergate International's article (written for their client base of employers and published in their latest newsletter) about medical issues when moving to the United States.

"Entering the US and navigating the medical system is one of the most frightening aspects of a transferee's transition into life here. If they are arriving from a country that has a centralized medical system, (such as the National Health Service in the United Kingdom) it is an incredibly difficult adjustment to have to reach for your wallet each time you step into a doctor’s office. To ensure your transferees start off the right way for their medical requirements, our tips would be..."

Want To Write For Expat Info Desk?

Hi Everyone, I have been corresponding with Maelle at Expat Info Desk and she would like to reach out to the experienced expats in our audience...

"Are you currently living away from home country? Are you willing to share your knowledge of the city you are currently living in as an expatriate? Do you have a strong writing experience? Then you may be the next Expat Info Desk writer we are looking for.

We're currently searching for expatriates with the following skills:

• Specialised knowledge and living experience of a city listed below;
• Professional writing experience, in particular in travel;
• Proven ability for excellent research (in the field as much as in front of your computer!);
• Ability to work independently and manage tight deadlines;
• Experienced expatriate (the more relocations you have gone through, the better!) ;
• Basic computer skills (Word, Internet); and
• English as mother tongue.

All our authors are freelancers, hired on a contract by-contract basis. We do not employ staff writers.

Destinations

• Abu Dhabi;
• Amsterdam;
• Auckland;
• Bangalore;
• Budapest;
• Buenos Aires;
• Cape Town;
• Chicago;
• Copenhagen;
• Houston;
• Jakarta;
• Johannesburg;
• Kuala Lumpur;
• Madrid;
• Mexico City;
• Mumbai;
• Prague;
• Rome;
• Seoul;
• Toronto;
• Seoul;
• Saigon/Ho Chi Minh;
• Vancouver;
• Vienna; and
• Zurich.

If you think you have the right profile, send us a cover letter, your CV and examples of your writing work to the following address: writers@expatinfodesk.com."

To see this information on the Expat Info Desk site, just click here.

Good luck if you go for it! Andrea

Want To Speak At The FIGT Conference, Houston, March 2010?

Hi Everyone, If you are interested in speaking at the upcoming Families In Global Transition (FIGT) Conference, here is a final reminder that the proposal deadline is September 1.

The 2010 FIGT conference will be held in Houston, Texas, March 4-6. It is honestly a great conference to go to if you are involved in the industry supporting families/expats abroad. The people that attend are like 'old friends' and you should genuinely get something out of it... especially if you get a chance to speak there as well.

I Am Not A Tourist Fair - October 25 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hi Everyone, If you are living in (or considering living in) The Netherlands, the now-famous I Am Not A Tourist Fair is the place for you to be on October 25. I am actually going to be at the Fair this year, so mark your calendars and come and say 'hi' to me at our Expat Women stand. Andrea :-)

"Don’t miss the “i am not a tourist” Fair on Sunday, 25 October. It’s all an expat needs to make the most of life in the Netherlands.

Whether you have lived here for 10 days or 10 years, make sure you keep Sunday the 25 October free on your calendars for this once-a-year opportunity.

“i am not a tourist” 2009 will be an interactive extravaganza of experts and companies specialising in expatriate life, workshops, networking, and entertainment.

We’ve invited 90 exhibitors to offer you a helping hand. Have a chat with a recruitment agent, get a word of advice on house hunting, compare universities for your master’s degree, join a group or club and mix with thousands of other internationals.

Get invaluable information about surviving abroad, attend seminars on meditation, landing that perfect job or pubic speaking, and enjoy superb entertainment and networking opportunities. The programme includes workshops on whiskey tasting, salsa, improv comedy, and chocolate and sushi making as well as on-stage performances by standup comedians and salsa dancers. Bring the family along, as we have a dedicated kids corner!

Tickets are FREE when ordered online at: www.expatica.com/iamnotatourist."

Expat Show Shanghai - September 18-20

Hi Everyone, With new expat arrivals in lots of cities worldwide, the expat exhibition season is getting into full swing. If you are living in Shanghai, drop in to their Expat Show next month at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

This exhibition is in it's third year and it is expecting to attract around 200 exhibitors this year. The Expat Show is also putting on a range of activities (like their Associations Village, Kindergarten, Soccer Tournament and Art Gallery). Plus they are promoting that there will be special deals that will be on offer from travel agencies, clothing and jewellery shops, art galleries, food and beverage providers, and more.

So, if you are in Shanghai... mark your calendar and register now.

Expat Women August Newsletter

Hi Everyone, If you are an Expat Women member and you did not receive our Newsletter for August 2009 in the last 24 hours, please let us know here.

In addition to our August home page features, our newsletter includes: the name of our Explorer Publishing mini-guide pack winner; our winning story Lost in Translation; as well as the following article from Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, who has been a Success Story interviewee on our site in the past:

Financial Peace of Mind Abroad
Planning a move to another country is filled with excitement, yet also the daunting realization that you must deal with many administrative details as you enter the global workforce. You need to stay organized...

Welcome to all of our new members and welcome home to anyone who has just repatriated!

Have a wonderful day/evening! Andrea.

Settling-In To Life In Malaysia

Hi Everyone, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is treating me really well! Everyone is really friendly and the food, shopping and leisure-time activities are fantastic. It is very hard to find an expat that does not love living here.

Slowly-but-surely, I am coming up for air in the relocation process... so hopefully this blog's momentum should pick up again soon. Thanks for your patience - and a special thank you for the emailed messages of support and good wishes, Andrea.