A Thank You, A Holiday Wish, A Laptop-Free Vacation & Adieu Until 2010!

Hi Everyone, I am signing out for a much-needed, laptop-free (yes!) vacation until January and I would like to wholeheartedly thank all of you for your support and readership this year. I hope that whatever you do over this holiday season, you take time out for just you - to reflect on 2009 and to dream big for the year ahead. :-)

Don't think you can 'turn off' these holidays to give yourself time to relax and reflect? Well, that's normally how I think too... but my husband and I have bitten the bullet this year and decided that we will detox (yes, sad that it's come to this) completely and not take even one laptop on vacation with us this year... and if a family (of 2 adults and 2 small children) that usually has 7 (!) laptops in the house can do it... anyone can.

A side-effect of this brave experiment, is that I have proved to myself that achieving bold goals is possible if you commit to them. I never would have thought it would be possible to finish all of my critical, monthly tasks two weeks earlier than normal. But, I've done it - and it feels so fantastic that I'm starting to think about setting some wildly bold goals for next year as well.

Maybe you should join me and set (and commit to) some bold goals for 2010 too? It's going to be a new decade: a new chance to shine and achieve more than you ever did before. Think about it. :-)

Warmest wishes for the holidays.

I look forward to seeing you again in 2010!

Andrea. x

Registrations Now Open For Globe Women Summit in Beijing, China, May 20-22, 2010

Hi Everyone, A quick shout-out for the Globe Women Summit coming up in May 2010.

"The 2010 Summit theme 'Women at the Forefront of Change' illustrates our cause for celebration as the Summit enters the next decade of the leadership role that women are playing in addressing the critical issues that women—and men—face worldwide. The Summit will feature women who have led best practices and policies, which are improving women’s economic status worldwide.

Please note that we are limiting participants to 1,000 at the 2010 Summit and we expect to reach full capacity far in advance of the Summit opening so we encourage you to register early."

The Summit will take place at the Marriott City Wall Hotel in Beijing, China.

Registrations are now open and you can learn more online here.

2010 Families In Global Transition Conference Sessions Announced

Hi Everyone, What a fantastic Families in Global Transition (FIGT) conference the Board has lined up for March 4-6 in Houston next year! The conference sessions have just been announced and we've summarised them for you here:

Plenary Sessions

Encouraging the Courage of Children, Robert Ivany

Whether we serve in the corporate, non profit or military fields, relocating our families remains the largest single challenge for most professionals. With the hindsight of 24 moves in 34 years and the experience of school systems ranging from parochial to international, private to public, the Ivany family has benefitted from diverse communities. In order to reap the advantages on a global environment and a nomadic lifestyle, however, a significant amount of preparation is essential. Dr. Ivany and his lovely wife, Marianne, will share antidotes and insights into the joy and challenge of raising four children in unique surroundings. They believe that a positive attitude, love for each other and an appreciation of the national culture can combine to create mature, young adults ready to face the changes of the modern world.

ATCK: And Then Came Kate, Apple Gidley

Apple Gidley's closing keynote address will discuss the many transitions that have been a part of her life: from multiple school changes and finally boarding school; to segueing from expat brat to expat wife and expat mother; to finding fulfilling roles both in the voluntary and commercial sector. It will discuss how twenty-six relocations throughout twelve countries have intrinsically given her a deep awareness, and understanding, of many cultures. Apple will also talk briefly about the attitudes encountered along the way of expatriates, their sponsoring organizations, and the host countries. Recognition of expat terminology is becoming more widely accepted in the HR world, and with it a greater understanding of what a global upbringing can bring to the workforce. These and other relevant issues will be touched on, with Apple drawing on her many experiences to highlight certain points.

Cross Sector Panel: "Learning Across Sectors"
Three veteran FIGT participants will make up this panel that will share practices learned from their colleagues in different sectors. A lively interaction will take place among panel members as they share examples of adapting practices learned from the experiences of others' sector successes or failures. The audience will be challenged to continue the conversation at their own table and throughout the conference.

Teen/Parent Panel: "Relative Distance"Moderator: Lois J. Bushong
Teens and their parents will discuss in a lively and interactive manner some of the challenges of being internationally mobile. Our format will highlight the ways perceptions can vary between teens and parents and within families who have purportedly witnessed the same events. It will be entertaining to see how the perceptions vary between the teen and their parent, hence the distance - emotional as well as geographical.

Concurrent Sessions

• The Multicultural Self in the Intercultural World, Janet Bennett
• Transitions and Work: Your Relocation, Reinvention, and Resilience as an Accompanying Spouse or Partner, Jennifer Bradley
• Global Nomadic Leaders (ATCKs): Tomorrow's Leaders in a Global World, Katrina Burrus
• Emotional Intelligence: Key to Successful Cultural Adaptation, Laura Celis Black
• The Impact of Expatriation on Children, Simone Torres Costa Eriksson
• Global Mobility Programs & Trends, Sarah De Hayes
• Business Plan: "The Path Forward", Deniz Demirors
• Challenge to Fulfillment: Midlife Transition for Accompanying Spouses and Partners, Diane Endo
• Expat Finances: Considerations for an Overseas Assignment, Andrew Fisher
• Crossing Oceans and Borders: Take Your School With You, Marilyn Mosley Gordanier
• The Expat Experience through the Arts, Alaine Handa
• The Positive & Negative Impact of Technology & Social Networking on Expat Family Life, Anne-Claude Lambelet, Michelle Sandlin and Leslie Sjurseth
• Transition Saturation© Kids Struggling in Deep Waters: Too Many Changes/Too Few Adaptive Skills, Linda Maguire
• Helping People Through: The Gap…Between Two Worlds, Kevin McNulty
• Just Another Expat? Insights and Strategies of Female Minority Expatriates, Kendra Mirasol and Charisse Kosova
• Cross-Cultural Coaching: Tools for Successful Cultural Adjustment, Andrew L. Miser & Oshikan Sjodin-Bunse
• Coaching Expatriates/Repatriates for Improved Transitions, Colleen Mizuki
• Top 5 Uncommon International Job Search Strategies for Spouses/Partners, Susan Musich
• Out of the Boxes, Jo Parfitt
• Writing and Publishing a Book 101, Jo Parfitt
• Choosing a School for an Expat Child: A How-To Guide for Parents and Sending Agencies, Liz Perelstein and Laila Plamondon
• Supporting Spouses /Partners and Families: The Recipe for Success, Yvonne Quahe, Anne Folliet and Catherine Mathieu
• International Schools' Policies and Programs Supporting the International Student - 2009 Survey Results, Mary Rabbitt and Elizabeth Sawyer
• Keeping Our Children Bilingual, Virginie Raguenaud
• Exploring Multiculturalism and Identity in Children's Literature, Laura Sicola
• Re-occurring Cycle or Full Speed Ahead? - Should Families Return "Home" between Assignments?, Julia L. Simens
• Home is Where the Heart Is? Oshikan Sjodin-Bunse
• Purposeful Leadership: Using your Global Experience to Lead from Within, Sandy Thomas
• Teaching Locally, Thinking Globally: Helping School Educators Understand the Third Culture Kid Experience, Ruth Van Reken
• Military Families: Understanding and Bridging the Parent-Child Cultural Divide, Mary Edwards Wertsch

Cracker Barrels

• Outcomes of a Summer Program for Gifted Student, Tatiana Behrmann
• Global Mobility Talent Management - Expat Coaching, Sarah De Hayes
• 10 Things to Know Before Starting Your Own Business, Deniz Demirors
• Ensuring Educational Continuity: Tips for Families Who Experience Multiple International Relocations, Heather Dickmeyer
• Optimizing Repatriation - Positive Experiences of Going Home, Madeleine Dobson
• From Third Culture Kids to Geographical Itinerancy, Deniz Gyger Gaspoz
• 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing A Distance Learning Program, Marilyn Mosley Gordanier
• A Short Screening of "I am a TCK", Alaine Handa
• Are Missionary Kids (MKs) Less Religious Than the American Public? Nancy Henderson-James
• Awesome Leadership Opportunities for Youth! Tonya Kay King
• How International Schools Can Support Students' Native-Language Needs, Andrew Kittell
• Using your MBTI Score to Help You Plan for a Successful Integration, Anne-Claude Lambelet
• 10 Considerations When Sending Minority Women Abroad, Kendra Mirasol and Charisse Kosova
• Learning, Changing and Growing…Inside The Gap Between Two Worlds, Kevin McNulty
• The Coaches Corner, Andrew L. Miser
• Social Networking Strategies for Spouses on an International Job Search, Susan Musich
• Building Beneficial TCK Communities, Darci Nealeigh and Candy Hart
• Choosing a School for an Expat Child: A How-To Guide for Parents and Sending Agencies, Liz Perelstein and Laila Plamondon
• Top 10 Issues of TCKs Repatriating for University, Tina Quick and Julia L. Simens
• Multicultural Children's Literature, Laura Sicola
• Moving for Love? Be Sure to Pack These Quick Tips, Oshikan Sjodin-Bunse
• Learn the ABC's of Resilience to Master the Hard Days, Oshikan Sjodin-Bunse
• Understanding our Attachment Needs: Tips to Boost Emotional Resilience, Laura Stephens
  Positioning your Corporation as a Leader in Expatriate Community Support, Thomas Speckhardt and Caitlin Morse
• Births Abroad: Practical Tips for Service Providers Working with Growing Global Families, Marian Valia
• Culturally Complicated Childhoods: A Bane or Blessing? Ruth E. Van Reken
• Belonging: Impossible Dream? Mary Edwards Wertsch
• Quiet Space and Reflection, Lois J. Bushong
• Researchers' Forum, Becky Powell and Ann Baker Cottrell
• Cost-Effective Approaches to Supporting the Expatriate FamilyPresented by a group of FIGT Leaders
• TCKs Repatriating for University:Confronting the Challenges and Building Communities, Tina Quick, Darci Nealeigh, and Candy Hart
• "Portable Stability"© for Families in Turbulent TimesLifeboats & Lifelines to Secure Families & Strengthen Organizations, Joyce Blake and Linda Maguire
• Cross-cultural Coaching: Tools for Successful Cultural Adjustment, Andrew Miser and Oshikan Sjodin-Bunse

Click Here to learn more about attending the 2010 Families in Global Transition conference in Houston, Texas. Conference fees range from only US$350 - US$750.

I'm a big supporter of FIGT, having loved the two conferences I have attended. The sessions are great, but it is the people that you meet that truly make the event memorable. If you have never gone, but would like to go... maybe 2010 is your year.... Think about it.

Enjoy your day/evening! Andrea.

Six Reasons Why Americans Living Abroad Need To Keep Their Investments Onshore And In The United States*

Hi Everyone, David Kuenzi, CFP® from Thun Financial Advisors has kindly contributed the following article for our American followers:

Six Reasons Why Americans Living Abroad Need To Keep Their Investments Onshore And In The United States*

If you are American and deciding about financial mattters, you might like to take a read of David's article, in which he talks about fees, commissions, the IRS, children's education, retirement accounts, financial planning, taxes, record-keeping, security and more.

We also have a range of other money articles for expats on our Money Matters section, so American or not, if you are concerned about your expat finances you might like to check out our Money Matters section. Thanks.

* This article was voluntarily contributed by David Kuenzi, CFP® for the interests of our audience. It does not necessarily reflect the views of ExpatWomen.com. Individuals should always seek their own financial counsel (tailored to their individual circumstances) before making decisions about their finances.

ExpatFinder.com & 3D Mirror World Twinity Create First Expat Virtual Relocation Service

Hi Everyone, Our friends at Expat Finder last week announced that they have partnered with Twinity to launch what they are calling the first supportive virtual world relocation service to help expats and relocating individuals prior to, or during, their relocation abroad.

They are starting out with Berlin, and free guided expat relocation tours of Berlin are being offered every Wednesday at 2pm GMT 1. (Berlin: 2pm; New York: 8am ; Singapore: 9pm)

"Those considering to move to real Berlin can now join free pre-arrival tours and expat meet ups organized in a designated area of its virtual counterpart. From a home or office computer, expats and their families can download a free guide, meet at a personal guided tour and get an idea of the layout of the city, the distances involved and the amenities in the new location before they arrive. With Twinity expats can become acquainted with local networking groups and community meet-ups prior to arrival.

Pre-arrival tours of host destinations are already an established relocation tool and popular with expats and their families as a means of familiarizing themselves with their new location, but the partnership offers the chance to get a feel for a city or neighborhood without leaving home. Expats, their employers, service providers and local companies all have something to gain from the true to scale virtual world experience. "

Visit now to download Twinity and join the virtual world and/or download your free (and very good, I might add) Berlin Expat City Guide. Best wishes, Andrea.

Expats: Will Your Kindle Work Abroad?

Hi Everyone, I visited Mary Mimouna's Expat Abroad blog last week and read her interesting post about which countries support Amazon's Kindle.

Now, I could go to Amazon and find the link with this information as well, but I always think that if a blogger is clever enough to construct a useful blog post, they should get a shout-out about it.

So if you are thinking of buying a Kindle, drop by Mary's site to see if an Amazon Kindle will work in your expat location. :-)

Expat Infidelity Support Group

Hi Everyone, An ex-expat wife has set up a Yahoo group to connect with (and encourage mutual support and encouragement to) those dealing with expat infidelity issues. If you would like to join, here is the link to the expat infidelity support group. Thanks.

Expat Women December Newsletter

Hi Everyone, If you are an Expat Women member and you did not receive this week our Newsletter for December 2009, please let us know here. If you have not signed up yet, please do so.

What's in the newsletter this month? Well, in addition to our December Expat Women Home Page features, our newsletter includes:

• The name of our Explorer Publishing mini-guide pack winner;
• Our winning story by Expat Women member Serena in Mexico, Expat Paranoia Syndrome; and
• Our free E-Book of our site's winning readers' stories, from February 2007 to December 2009 inclusive.

Looking forward, we are always interested in receiving quality contributions to our newsletter. If you are interested in contributing, please send your article (or a detailed outline of your ideas) here.

Finally, if you still need to send holiday cards, please check out one of this month's newsletter advertisers, Silver Line Ink, who will print and mail them for you!

Many thanks and enjoy your day/evening! Andrea