Hi Everyone, I hope you having a wonderful week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently that might interest you...
Can You Live On Social Media Alone? These Two Travelers Swap Cities To Find Out
http://tnw.co/z1zxZK
Expat Belgian Guy Finds Tasmania (Australia) An Unlikely Market, But An Excellent Source Of Ingredients For Chocolate House
http://on.ft.com/yOjcCH
Notes On No Longer Feeling Like An Expat
http://bit.ly/A3oARm
Thinking Of Volunteering To Build Houses In Cambodia? Read Robin Pascoe's (aka Expat Expert's) Report
http://bit.ly/xNEJrK
Big in Japan: A Look At Some Of The Most Popular Western Exports To The Land Of The Rising Sun
http://tgr.ph/zRChuB
When Expats Become Trapped Abroad
http://bit.ly/yW89zK
U.S. Proposing Wide Ranging Plan To Curb Expat Tax Dodgers
http://on.wsj.com/z6SiH0
Expats Flock to India Seeking Jobs, Excitement
http://nyti.ms/yuTEN8
Our Friend Adrienne Graham (aka @talentdiva) Has Turned Her Popular Article "No, You Can't Pick My Brain, It Costs Too Much" Into A Book - Check It Out
http://bit.ly/xjbUFJ
A Powerful Video (For Parents Everywhere, Not Just Expat Parents)...
Photos, Smart Phones And Social Media - A Terrifying NBC Report (2010) - And How You Can Change Your Phone's Settings
http://bit.ly/xCrdOD
New U.S. State Department Warning Maps Out Unsafe Areas Of Mexico
http://lat.ms/xoNhqF
Reminder: Competition for UAE Residents:
"Could You Be The Next Ultimate UAE Explorer?"
http://bit.ly/w1DWFM
Reminder: Expat Partners Wanted To Complete Questionnaire/Research On Career Choices/ Aspirations Whilst Overseas
http://fb.me/1jXycz62D
Reminder: Expat Women In Dubai And Abu Dhabi, UAE: Interested In Part-Time Work With SIRVA Relocation?
http://bit.ly/zwKYbb
And our quote of the week...
“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”
Whitney Houston
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (Feb 15-16 edition)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Expat Hanoi Jane's Elka Ray Shares Her Writing Tips
Hi Everyone, Today we would like to introduce Elka Ray - the author of the newly-released (August 2011) book Hanoi Jane. Elka is a Canadian writer and illustrator who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She is the author of one novel and three children’s books.
Expat Women: Elka, what took you to Vietnam originally?
Elka: I spent six months backpacking in South East Asia after high school and found the region fascinating. Following university, I came to Vietnam in 1995, planning to find a thesis topic for higher studies. Instead, I started writing freelance, fell in love and never went back to university.
Expat Women: You have now been in Vietnam for 16 years. What made you stay? And what can you tell us about the other expats you have seen 'come and go' in Vietnam?
I stayed because it was exciting, I had interesting friends, and I could work part-time as a magazine editor and pursue my true passion – writing fiction. Since my husband’s family business is based here, I do not think that we will be moving any time soon. Although I do want my kids to spend their summers where I grew up, on Canada’s Vancouver Island.
Expat Women: Your first novel, Hanoi Jane, was published by Marshall Cavendish last year. What does it take to succeed as a writer?
Elka: I am still working on that one! I meet a lot of people who tell me, “Oh, I want to write a book!” but they do not sit down and do it. If you truly want to write, you will find some way to do daily. If you are really talented and lucky, your first book might get published - but that is unlikely. It is more probable that you will have to write for years without praise or financial reward before you have learned your craft and someone gives you a break. If and when you do find a publisher, you have to put in the time and effort to market your work. You need a great imagination, empathy to be able to create emotionally complex characters, discipline, and the ability to keep writing despite countless rejections.
Expat Women: Do you have any advice for other aspiring fiction writers?
Elka: I think that no matter what, you should write what moves you. However, if you want to get published by a traditional publisher (as opposed to self-publishing), you have to remember that their main concern is to make a profit. It is not enough to write a “good” book. It has to be sell able, so research the market.
If publication is your goal, before you start, I would advise you to write the promotional blurb that would go on your book’s back cover. Publishers want straightforward stories that can be summed up in a few lines. They want one clear, consistent point of view, and a lead character to whom readers can relate. The toughest market segment at the moment is that of kids’ picture books, especially rhyming ones. That being said, I have just finished a funny rhyming kids’ manuscript called Princess Nelly Was Smelly, for which I have high hopes. In the end I think that you just have to write what you love, and hope that some key editor will also love it.
Expat Women: Hanoi Jane tells the story of a young American reporter who, after moving to Vietnam and being dumped by her fiance, embarks on a wild adventure to rebuild her life. Was this story was based on your personal experiences?
Elka: The plot, which has Jane investigating a charity fraud, getting arrested by the secret police, and busting a gem smuggling ring, is absolute fiction. The characters are also inventions. The “real” elements in the story are the setting of northern Vietnam, which I know very well, and the emotions experienced by Jane — homesickness, confusion, doubt, heartbreak and ultimately a sense of pride that she is able to stick it out and find happiness in a place that was totally alien to her. I think that all expats have these feelings, which is why the book has resonated so well with them.
Expat Women: Elka, thank you very much for sharing your insights and experiences. We wish you and Hanoi Jane nothing but success this year. Congrats!
To follow Elka’s blog, which chronicles her often hilarious attempts to balance writing, motherhood and living in Vietnam, click here. To buy Hanoi Jane on Amazon, please click here (no affiliate link).
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (February 7-8 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently that might interest you...
20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
http://bit.ly/y2645f
New Expat Novel by Chris Pavone Launching March 6 But Already Receiving High Praise. Expats, Espionage, Deceit... Sounds intriguing...
http://amzn.to/ygNnlr
Expat Competition: Win A Place At The London International Youth Science Forum
http://tgr.ph/yUYPol
On Facebook? Join The Expat Youth Page To Get The Latest Details (Coming Soon) On This Year's Expat Youth Scholarship
http://bit.ly/wr2Eim
2012 Indie Travel Challenge on Bootsnall
http://bit.ly/w7cMeJ
Expatica's Expat Education Fair in The Netherlands is March 24
http://bit.ly/wVX51h
25 Reasons Google Hates Your Blog
http://bit.ly/wEGtj1
How Do You Live Inside A House The Size Of A Parking Space?
http://bit.ly/ytJjco
Competition for UAE Residents:
"Could You Be The Next Ultimate UAE Explorer?"
http://bit.ly/w1DWFM
Expat Show Beijing, China, Scheduled for 28-29 April 2012
http://bit.ly/wOu19H
Interview with Social Media Director of Families In Global Transition's Judy Rickatson
http://bit.ly/zQSGrQ
And A Reminder... Registration Now Open for FIGT (Families in Global Transition) Conference, 29-31 March, Washington DC
http://bit.ly/xJnS7k
Enjoy!
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Expat Women in Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE: Interested In Part-Time Work With SIRVA Relocation?
Hi Everyone, If you are based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, or know someone who is, and you/your friends are interested in a great part-time work opportunity with SIRVA Relocation, please read on...
Introduction from SIRVA Relocation
Global relocations are on the increase and we are actively recruiting Relocation Consultants. We offer the right candidates a great part-time opportunity to use their expat living and moving experiences and be a part of our dynamic team to help our clients' international employees and their families settle into Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Main purpose of the Relocations Consultant role
• Work closely with the SIRVA in-house team of Global Assignment Consultants
• Accompany our clients’ expatriate assignees on their: Look-See / Pre Assignment Trips; School Search; Home Search; and Settling-In Program
• Complete an end-of-program report
Ideal candidates would possess the following attributes:
• Personal experience and/or knowledge of international relocation industry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Initiative, independence, well organized
• PC literate with good knowledge of MS Office
• Must have and maintain up to date knowledge of the local and expatriate living and life style issues within the UAE’s international community with schooling information in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
• Languages a distinct advantage
• Real Estate knowledge and contacts is essential
• Training will be offered to the right candidates.
Please urgently send your resume to: Kashish.Navlani@Sirva.ae
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you.
SIRVA, Inc. is a leader in providing relocation solutions to a well-established and diverse customer base around the world. The company has redefined the relocation industry by offering innovative ways for customers to achieve their individual business goals, while providing global end-to-end relocation services, including program development and management, home purchase and home sale services, household goods moving, and mortgage services.
SIRVA conducts more than 300,000 relocations every year, transferring corporate and government employees and moving individual consumers. The company operates in more than 40 countries with approximately 2,600 employees and an extensive network of agents and other service providers in over 175 countries. With our global reach and local expertise, people trust SIRVA to listen to their unique needs and deliver seamless relocations every day.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Expat Writers: Interested in Submitting Your Story to Caravan Press?
Hi Everyone, Are you an expat writer wanting to have one of your stories featured in a new book? If yes, then please read on...
Caravan Press are a group of expatriate women writers based in Brussels, Belgium, since 2010. They are currently compiling a collection of stories for their forthcoming book and would like to invite submissions - from all over the world.
"We are currently seeking original, unpublished tales of interesting, funny, serendipitous or barely thinkable (but mostly true, of course) expat observations and experiences. Topics may include, but are not limited to the following: Culture Shock (classic or "reverse"); Food; Travel & Adventure; Friendship; Language; Life Experiences; etc.
Submissions should be limited to 1,500 words and sent via www.caravanpress.eu by May 15, 2012. All authors of selected stories will be notified by Caravan Press prior to mid-July 2012.
Kind regards, Bena Mattagne, For The Caravan Press Team."
Expat Research Results & New Requests: Can You Help?
Hi Everyone, Firstly, thank you to those who last year helped Regula Sindemann by completing a survey related to her Masters thesis on Cultural Intelligence. Regula kindly shares her main findings below.
Secondly, we have a two more researchers today looking for help with their expat-related research. Please help if you can. Many thanks! Andrea Martins
Research Results from Regula's Cultural Intelligence Research:
"Last year, I finished my Master thesis on the concept of Cultural Intelligence and its relevance for expatriate spouses/partners. (Thanks to everyone who helped!) We had 153 data sets, which allowed me to run meaningful statistical analysis, and I wanted to share my main findings here:
In case you are wondering what Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is: 'CQ is the capability to function effectively in culturally diverse situations' (Ang & van Dyne, Handbook of Cultural Intelligence, 2008). Basically, it predicts and explains why some people thrive and some struggle in culturally diverse settings. It consists of four complementary capabilities or dimensions: CQ Drive, CQ Knowledge, CQ Strategy, and CQ Action.
Main findings:
If you would you like to learn more about CQ and the possibilities of developing it, or you have comments, please let me know. I am also happy to share ‘my knowledge’ and to refer you to some interesting books or web pages on this topic.
Whilst my project focused on CQ and its relevance for ES, I do believe that the concept of CQ shows strong promise of being valuable to all global citizens. It is a framework that fosters cultural understanding and respect; a mind-set beneficial to individuals, organizations and nations alike. Best wishes, Regula Sindemann."
New Research Request: For Repatriates
Thekla Wesche is currently conducting research for her Masters thesis, with the Human Resource Management department of the Radboud University Nijmegen, in The Netherlands. The topic of the thesis is related to repatriation. The supervision is by professor Dr. Beate van der Heijden.
"Repatriation of expatriates is often neglected by organizations. Research has shown that employers often do not optimally value new experiences gained abroad. This, in turn, can cause serious problems while readjusting in the home country. Therefore, it is important for organizations and management to get more insight in perceptions expatriates might have after their international assignment.
The specific objective of this study is to get an understanding of how perceptions of the psychological contract of repatriates influence their organizational commitment. The focus of the research is on expatriates who have returned to their home country recently.
The survey takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help. Warmest regards, Thekla Wesche."
New Research Request: For Expatriates in Israel
Dani Kranz is a social anthropologist in the Institute of Area Studies Transnational at Erfurt University (Germany). Her current research project concerns expatriates and their families in Israel. The project centres on how expatriates experience Israel, how they structure their social relationships, and if they form a community of expatriates. She will be conducting fieldwork in Israel in February and March 2012.
"I am specifically seeking for expatriates, who would agree to an interview and/or letting me take part in their daily activities. I am happy to discuss my project, and provide further details. I also seek contact to former expatriates, expatriate spouses or children who used to live in Israel. Full anonymity and full confidentiality will be granted. Your support would be very helpful for me. Kind regards, Dani Kranz."
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (February 2-3 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope your week has been fantastic! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently that might interest you...
The 10 Types Of People That Drive Flight Attendants Nuts
http://bit.ly/A7SjnQ
Great News For Expat Partners In Europe:
"Non-EU skilled Workers: Common Rules To Ease Intra-Corporate Transfers"
http://bit.ly/wKhEu1
The Expat Chick-Lit Author Who Followed Her Heart To London
http://tgr.ph/xSA6n9
Write An Essay About Australia To Win $6,500
http://bit.ly/A9DrUX
Behind An Expat's Wine Startup Success
http://bit.ly/wD0qkX
Google To Start Country-Specific Censorship for Blogs
(... and how to manually redirect)
http://on.mash.to/zIER3q
Twitter Has Refined Its Technology To Censor Messages On A Country-By-Country Basis
bit.ly/AaooOf
Expat Entrepreneur Laurie Villarreal (in the Netherlands) Talks About Her Marathon Training Camps
http://bit.ly/AkyPUP
Santa Fe Relocation Invites Global Mobility Professionals To Complete Their 2012 Survey
http://linkd.in/yvac30
“My Gutsy Story” By Pamela Sisman Bitterman
http://bit.ly/ycrc42
20 Ways To Annoy A Swede (Expat Blog Post)
http://bit.ly/yQLjci
New Zealand Introduces Retirement Visas From 29 March 2012
http://tgr.ph/z9XmKM
And one from us...
Like Freebies? Here's a (generous) sample from our Expat Women motivational book!
http://bit.ly/mZmTXP
Enjoy!
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Meet Annabel Candy – Expat, Web Designer, Copywriter and Travel Fiend
Meet Annabel Candy – Web Designer, Copywriter & Travel Fiend
Expat Women: Annabel, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Annabel: I was born in the UK and I have lived in France, Laos, Zimbabwe, the USA, New Zealand, Costa Rica and now in Queensland, Australia. I have been a web copywriter and web designer for 17 years, and currently run an Internet marketing company called Mucho (with clients in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and Africa).
Growing up, I always dreamed of living in a hot tropical place by the sea and I am so grateful I actually do. I work from home and live with my husband and our three school-aged kids. It is quite chaotic, but the beauty is that we can always escape to the nearby beach when we need some down time.
Expat Women: How did you come to be living in Australia?
Annabel: My husband and I owned our own web design and copywriting business in New Zealand and our three kids were born there. But we are both travellers and yearned to hit the road again. It took us a while to pluck up courage, but when our youngest child was two, we sold our house, along with most of our belongings, and moved to Central America.
We did not speak Spanish at first and had never been there before, so most of our friends thought we were crazy. We lived in the jungles of Costa Rica for 18 months with no Internet. We loved it but schooling the kids was hard (we had to buy desks for the classroom) and of course we could not do any web design work without the Internet! It was a great experience but in the end we decided to move to Australia instead - it had the warm weather and the Internet.
Expat Women: Why did you start blogging?
Annabel: I started because I wanted to learn about blogging and have a creative outlet for my writing (that was not anonymous like my normal web copywriting work was). I started blogging before I left New Zealand (but the blog was understandably on hold while I was without Internet in Costa Rica). It was 2006, and in my first blog post I wrote that I was going to: "Stare fear in the face and overcome my fear of being read, the fear that my writing would be judged." I never wrote another blog post for three years!
Expat Women: So what inspired you to pick up blogging again in 2009?
Annabel: I decided to give it another go. This time, I was determined to stick with it, even though at first, it was depressing because no one was reading my blog. However, slowly but surely, I started to connect with readers and get subscribers.
I started guest posting on other people's blogs and that helped grow my blog faster. Then, after I had been blogging for one year, Coca-Cola got in touch and paid for me to go to a social media conference in Shanghai (!) because they liked my writing. That was a real breakthrough moment because finally I felt that all the effort I had put into my blog was being recognized.
Expat Women: But is guest-posting just giving away your best content for free?
Annabel: I have learnt to stop thinking of guest posting as "giving away" my best work and start thinking of it as free prime time advertising. I am proud to say that my writing has now been featured on some of the biggest blogs on the Internet, like Problogger, Copyblogger and Zen Habit - and that has helped me grow my blog more than anything else. It has also been an excellent way for me to connect with new readers and raise my profile.
Expat Women: Do you make money from your blog?
Annabel: My core business is web design and copywriting, but blogging has helped me get clients all over the world, which is a huge benefit because I live in a holiday area with limited business opportunities otherwise.
In New Zealand I could never get a job unless I met the client. But blogging has helped me get clients all over the world. Not because of my qualifications (I do have an MA in Design for Interactive Media) or experience, but because of the personal experiences and stories I shared on my blog.
Now, I also sell my own e-book about blogging and promote other people's products, so blogging has allowed me to increase and diversify my income in these ways as well.
Another benefit: I can now also pick and choose what work I do. I have reached a point where I only do jobs that I enjoy and work with people that I like, which is a real luxury. For example, I just got a travel writing job for our local tourism board, where I go for a massage or try a new beauty treatment, then write about it for them. How good is that? :)
Expat Women: Do you have any advice for other bloggers and writers?
Annabel
But success with anything depends on perseverance, so my advice is stick with blogging, if you enjoy it, even when you want to give up.
Do not expect to see any results for a year or so, but promise yourself that you will keep updating your blog at least weekly. Blogging is an art, not a science. So keep blogging, keep experimenting and have fun with it!
Annabel Candy shares her travel stories and personal writing at Get In the Hot Spot. Or find her blogging tips and blogging book at Successful Blogging.
Thanks Annabel! Andrea
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Expat Women February 2012 Features
Hi Everyone, I hope you are enjoying a lovely week! Please take a few minutes to read, enjoy, share and tweet about our new February home page features below. Thanks so much and I wish you a wonderful week! Andrea
Success Story
Irmgard Lafrentz
President, Globalpress Connection
Germany's Irmgard Lafrentz moved to Silicon Valley with stars in her eyes, hoping for a job with Cisco, Sun or Intel. With no job offer forthcoming, Irmgard started her own business as a global matchmaker between U.S. high technology companies and the international trade and business media. Now, her business turns over six (and sometimes seven) figures...
Read More
Business Idea
Beaded Lily
Lily MordÃ
In 2001, Americans Lily Mordà and her husband Timothy James took a two-month trip to Italy, and never left. Since then, Lily and Tim have built a thriving bead business in the Oltrarno – Italy's artisan area in Florence. Students travel from all over the world to learn in their studio, and their beads are bought by the likes of Chanel, Ferragamo and Escada...
Read More
Mothers
Moving Your Children Overseas After A Divorce
Ewan Cambell MacDougall
If you have started a family (or moved your family) overseas but your marriage did not turn out to be the happily ever after you hoped for, you might be feeling like it is time to go back home, or maybe start afresh in a new country. But beware: taking children overseas without the consent of their other parent can be considered child abduction...
Read More
Money Matters
U.S. Expat Taxes in 2012 – What's New?
IJ Zemelman, EA, Taxes for Expats LLP
If you are an American who needs to pay U.S. taxes, this article lets you know about about recent requirements for Foreign Investment Account Reporting (FATCA), gives information for securities and business owners, touches on gift tax dodging and IRS investigations, and highlights increases to IRS auditing measures...
Read More
Expat Confession
Intercultural Couple
Extract from Expat Women: Confessions
Recently I moved to my partner's home country, Japan. I myself am from Denmark, which is where we met. However, ever since we moved to Japan four and half months ago, our relationship has been having problems. It seems that the man I fell in love with has transformed into a different person...
Read More
Meet the Author
No Chopsticks Required: My Family's Unexpected Year In Shanghai
Katrina Beikoff
In 2008, Katrina Beikoff and her partner Gary Smart accepted one-year expat assignments with the Shanghai Daily. What followed was a very busy year involving major events such as China's massive snow storm, the devastating Sichuan earthquake, the Tibetan uprising, the Beijing Olympics, and the melamine-tainted milk scandal...
Read More
Not a Member Yet?
Just a reminder that our blog is separate from our main site, so if you are reading this blog post online or you are only subscribed to our blog, you will not automatically receive our Expat Women monthly newsletters.
To receive our monthly newsletters and to go in the running to win our monthly prize of a complete set of Explorer Publishing Mini-Guides, please sign up today to our main site, ExpatWomen.com. When you join, you will also receive a link to download our free e-book of Winning Stories. Thanks for your support!
Should You Start A Franchise Business in 2012?
Hi Everyone, We recently asked MyDestination.com (one of our valued ExpatWomen.com sponsors) about why 2012 might be a great year for franchise businesses. If you have ever thought about becoming a franchisee, you might be interested in their response...
Neil Waller:
"The beginning of every year sees many different types of resolutions being made, from quitting smoking, to taking up the gym. Starting your own business is one resolution that is frequently heard, but all too often not followed through. The planning required, financial considerations and the likely success of a new venture, all tend to put people off. However, investing in a franchise business can negate many of these considerations; you can be your own boss and have all the benefits of having your own business, without many of the stresses and strains. Here is why 2012 might be your year for investing in a franchise...
When considering starting a business, the fear of failure leads most people to stay safe and plod along in their current jobs, even though they have a burning entrepreneurial desire. Investing into an already successful and prosperous franchise business will hopefully reduce your stress that the business might fail. If you are already joining a business that is profitable and proven, your franchise should benefit from the authority and reputation of the business you are buying into, significantly reducing the risk of failure.
Entrepreneurs will undoubtedly need much assistance when starting a business, as it is impossible to have adequate experience in all areas of business. When you join a franchise business, you are able to access this experience and expertise needed to grow your franchise, through a centralised support structure that will be in place. As a new franchisee you should be provided with assistance and advice on all areas required to succeed in becoming a successful franchisee (including marketing, advertising, sales and so on).
After all, it is in the interest of the franchise company that as a franchisee you develop your franchise as much as possible. This reduces the risk of making mistakes in developing your franchise, as you will always have a support structure to guide you through the many challenges you will face.
Purchasing a franchise is also significantly cheaper than starting your own business, where overheads often become extortionate very quickly. The main outlay will be the fee you pay for your franchise; this will depend on the size of the franchise that you are buying and what destination it is in. However, for this you should receive all that is necessary to start your franchise, such as a website if it is an online franchise, a restaurant, a shop or maybe some office space. The access to the already mentioned support structure is also invaluable.
In economically uncertain times, franchising does represent a fantastic opportunity to run your own business. The fact that banks and venture capitalists are highly reluctant to invest in start-up businesses, means that you will need to raise most of your business capital yourself these days. So, investing in a franchise could reduce your initial costs, and help to bring benefits to you faster.
Whether you franchise or start solo, I wish you all the very best with whatever you start in 2012! May it be a fabulous year for you.
Warmest regards, Neil Waller, Co-Founder, MyDestination.com."
MyDestination.com is a franchise based network of travel sites, powered by a diverse community of local experts on the ground, providing local knowledge and local deals.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (January 25-26 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope your week has been fantastic! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently that might interest you...
Self-Published (Former Expat) Author Gets Movie Deal After Being Discovered On Twitter
http://bit.ly/AqIunA
Invent Your Future Job: Be Unique, Be Social, Be Global - by Expat Coach Anne Egros
http://bit.ly/wdglBS
5 Most Common Expat Injuries in China
http://bit.ly/yiXRLA
Is America Shutting The Door On Expats?
http://tgr.ph/Az9u4X
Delhi Journal: The Expat Experience (Wall Street Journal)
http://on.wsj.com/AbnBkU
Expat Selena's Observations On Her New Life In the UK
http://bit.ly/zuDviJ
Britons Rush For Australian Visas
http://tgr.ph/ynU41x
Interview: Expat Writing Mentor Jo Parfitt talks to Expat Author Matt Krause About His Turkish Love Story 'A Tight Wide Open Space'
http://bit.ly/yDewJp
Middle East, Africa & Eastern Europe: Best For Expat Pay & Packages
http://tgr.ph/zNu4MB
American Expats: 10 Year IRS Statute of Limitations: How Long Can The IRS Collect From You?
http://bit.ly/zHt2uS
U.S. Military Kids Now Have Their Own (Official) Social Media Playground To Help Deal With Challenges Of Deployment
http://ht.ly/8F4Oz
6th Annual Overseas & Military Voting Summit (Washington & Online) 27 January 2012
http://bit.ly/zD7fIZ
And one from us...
Like Freebies? Here's A (Generous) Sample from our Expat Women Motivational Book. Enjoy! http://bit.ly/mZmTXP
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Expat Entrepreneur Success Story in Russia
Hi Everyone, Here is a wonderful expat success story from Russia. A premium bakery chain that turns over $2 million each month. Incredible!
Hint: If you cannot see the video in your email feed, try clicking on the Russia Today page: http://rt.com/news/prime-time/story-success-pain-quotidien-605/
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Insights from Robin Pascoe, who Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Her First Book for Expats
Hi Everyone, Our wonderful friend Robin Pascoe, well known for her books about expat living, recently celebrated her 20th anniversary of the publication of her first book for expats (congrats Robin!). She reflected on this milestone on Facebook recently, and kindly gave us permission to republish her insights here for your easy reading...
From Robin Pascoe on 12 January 2012:
"I’m always telling people not to ignore important milestones in their lives, but did I mention I rarely take my own advice?
It’s the 20th anniversary of the publication of my first book for expats, indeed an anniversary of the first expat book that told wives it was OK to be angry and resentful of their husbands and to wonder, who the hell am I anyway?
Originally published in 1992 as “The Wife’s Guide to Successful Living Abroad”, in 1993 as “Culture Shock: A Wife’s Guide" but finally, under my own Expatriate Press, re-issued and updated in 2009 and given the title I wanted for it all along, “A Broad Abroad”, it was so much fun to put into words and print what so many women were feeling but no one was saying!
So today, in acknowledging this important milestone in my life (you always remember your first!) here are five great memories I associate with this book:
Of the many rejections I received when sending out the manuscript, my favourite that made me laugh out loud was from a Hong Kong publisher who wrote to me and said: “Expat wives have servants. Why do they need a book?”
The night the publisher in Singapore called me. We were living in Beijing and it had been months since I had sent them the manuscript. The managing editor apologized for just finding it, but she wanted it. I cheekily suggested there should be a follow up book for parents and the editor said, “start writing that now.”
My Chinese cook (yes, ok, I had a cook) came to where I was sitting at the phone, completely unravelled with joy, carrying a tray with a double shot of scotch and a cigarette for me. (No cook, no smoking and actually, no drinking anymore since I lost my fear of flying and no longer need to be fuelled by vodka).
The day the books arrived in Beijing I had a choice: I could go to the airport and be the first to open the boxes containing my new baby. Or I could attend a piano recital of my first baby (an 8-year-old Lilly). I chose my daughter and never regretted it.
My first speaking tour: Husband Rodney said, “You should go to promote the book in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore since you have friends in all three places who would be sure to help you.”
Me? “You mean: alone???”
Never mind that he pushed me out of the nest and my comfort zone, it was in Tokyo that I attended a lecture given by Dave Pollock whose Third Culture Kid bible was still years away from publication. I gave Dave a copy of my new book (since he’s quoted in it) and when he got up to speak to the school audience, the first words out of his mouth were: “I have just been given a book that I know everyone in this room will want to read.” A great friendship and mentorship was born. Like so many people, I still miss him.
Weeks after that first tour: I was sitting at the dining room table in Beijing with my then 3-year-old-son Jay reading a three week old Hong Kong paper, the South China Morning Post. Scanning the book page, I was, as the Brits say, gobsmacked.
“Mommy has the #1 bestseller in Hong Kong, Jay. Eat your carrots.” It was the beginning of leading a life I didn’t participate in (or know about) most of the time.
I realize I could probably write a hundred great stories associated with this book but won’t bore everyone to death. However, I have saved one last great memory that I cherish the most: The countless women who came up to me during my years on the road and said, “Thank you for writing this, Robin.”
Remarkably, the book (and all of the ones which followed) are still selling after all these years!
Find yourself in my books, as I used to say..."
Note: Robin retired from expat writing last year, but her books and videos are still available on her website, ExpatExpert.com.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Happy Birthday Expat Women!
Hi Everyone, Just a quick but sincere post to thank you for your support, feedback and testimonials over the past five years that ExpatWomen.com has been online.
I was just about to log out for the night (it's nearly midnight here) when I realized that today is the birthday of our site's launch five years ago, on 16 January 2007!
Thank you for 'being there' and for 'spreading the word' for us. Incredible to think that we now have more than 2,000 self-submitted Expat Women blogs on our directory, more than 1,000 quality content pages (country and expat club information, motivational articles and more), 300+ readers' stories, 5 years' worth of high quality newsletters, and much more.
I hope ExpatWomen.com has helped you and I appreciate in advance that you please keep spreading news of it to your friends and networks. Thanks so much, and enjoy January 16! Andrea x
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (January 16 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you are having a fabulous start to 2012! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently that might interest you...
The World's Most Walkable Cities
http://bit.ly/ypO4Po
The Highs and Lows of Expatriation
http://fb.me/sECmUFGY
Expat Liz Visits a South Korean Cat Cafe
http://bit.ly/A3VcJz
Registration Now Open for FIGT (Families in Global Transition) Conference, 29-31 March, Washington DC
http://bit.ly/xJnS7k
Is Hong Kong's Pollution Driving Expats Away?
http://tgr.ph/A17DiR
It's Easy to Break the Law in Dubai Without Realising It
http://tgr.ph/wghGT5
Note: After I tweeted this, someone wrote to tell me that a poppy seed on bread could lead to arrest! And another person advised that vanilla essence could do the same! Wow. Be careful, Everyone.
US Migration Study Results Released by United Van Lines
http://bit.ly/xaTo3E
Top 15 Girlfriend Getaways (includes a water slide in a shark tank!)
http://bit.ly/wtYF7a
Expat Author Interview: Russell Ward Talks to Jack Scott about His New Book, Perking The Pansies http://bit.ly/wS0bkk
Expat in Israel? Dr. Dani Kranz in Germany Needs Your Help for A Research Project
http://linkd.in/xkTeeL
How To Work From Home Like You Mean It
http://bit.ly/w0RkjQ
Anyone Interested in The Casting Team Contacting Them for House Hunters International (U.S. version) is Invited to Contact @BlondeinAround via Twitter
Before you clear out your old expat paperwork, send it to the Expat Archive Centre
http://www.xpatarchive.com/
And one from us...
Here is where you can see the latest self-submitted blogs on our Expat Women Blog Directory - Enjoy!
http://bit.ly/igeWXc
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
New Expat Book This Week: At Home In Dubai
Hello Everyone, We do not normally give shout-outs to books that are specific to any one location (given that our members are based in 190 countries), but given that around 25-30% (true!) of our members are based in the United Arab Emirates, we thought you (or your friends in the UAE) might like to know about this new book...
"@ Home in Dubai: Getting Connected - Online and On the Ground"
Author: Anne O'Connell (Released 12 December 2011)
Publisher: Summertime Publishing
Anne kindly sent us an e-review copy and after a quick scan of the rich content, it seems she has done a great job at putting together some very useful information about moving to Dubai - well done!
If you are interested, I invite you to take a look on Amazon.com here (affiliate link) or on Amazon.co.uk here (affiliate link).
Thanks Everyone - and have a great day/night! Andrea
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (December 14-15 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you are enjoying a great week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
New: Results From 2011 HSBC Expat Explorer (Expat) Survey
http://bit.ly/sRfJKs
BBC Video: The Life Of The Trailing Spouse Who Wants To Work Abroad, But Cannot
http://bbc.in/uDfvnC
Top 10 Global Topics Most Discussed On Facebook In 2011
http://bit.ly/rYnNr1
Which U.S. Companies Import The Most Talent From Abroad?
http://read.bi/vHIT0s
Best of 2011: Books For, By & About Expats
http://bit.ly/t89EfP
25 Australian Travel Blogs & Bloggers To Watch In 2012
http://bit.ly/rt7sih
How To Live Safely Abroad
http://bit.ly/sycBbR
I Miss The Food & The Massages, But There's Life After China
http://tgr.ph/vMfPB5
More Americans Go Abroad For Economic Opportunities
http://bit.ly/uasXI7
The True Cost Of Expat Living In Australia
http://fb.me/tsv7DedJ
And finally... my personal news of the week via Twitter...
"It's official... Our family's moving again! Kuala Lumpur-to-Sydney-to-Sunshine Coast (Australia) in 4 months... Can't keep up? Neither can I sometimes..." Andrea :)
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Barclays Wealth International: Press Release from an Expat Women Sponsor
Hi Everyone, One of our Expat Women Gold Sponsors, Barclays Wealth International, recently issued a press release about how new clients could save on international payments. If you need to make payments across borders, you might be interested...
Barclays Wealth International: Press Release (Extract Only)
International payments savings for new clients of Barclays Wealth International
* New clients save a minimum of £25 on each international payment1
* Savings also available on a range of other online payments
Barclays Wealth International has introduced an exclusive offer for new clients, which provides significant savings on a range of online payments. Clients who apply for an international bank account with Barclays Wealth International before 6 January 2012 will enjoy the following savings until 14 January 2013:
* Reduced fees on international payments – standard payment charge is waived
* No fees on cross-currency transfers between Barclays accounts
* No fees on euro payments within Europe2
* Free same-day sterling payments (CHAPS payments)
The potential savings for new clients are significant. International clients make on average three international payments each month. By taking advantage of this exclusive offer, an international client making 3 international payments a month could save £900 in one year. For full details of the offer and conditions can be found here: www.barclayswealth.com/paymentsoffer. Thanks.
About Barclays Wealth
Barclays Wealth is a leading global wealth manager, and the UK’s largest, with total client assets of £170bn, as at 30 June 2011. Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 145,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (December 11-12 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you just enjoyed a fabulous weekend! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
How To Be An Expat Inspiration: Diana Baur Interviews Michelle Fabio
http://bit.ly/ttW44l
Companies Unhappy With Expat Strategies: A Survey Of 140+ Companies Has Found Many Not Satisfied
http://tgr.ph/vTQnfH
A Look At The Difference Between The TIME Magazine Cover In The U.S. Versus Abroad
http://ti.me/v8if27
Beware: The Love Trap [Video] on 60 Minutes
(Andrea's Note: I know an expat in Malaysia who fell for this - Don't be a victim...)
http://bit.ly/rGtezt
An Expat’s Guide To Surviving A Tax Audit
http://bit.ly/tahheT
Volvo Executive Elisabet Wenzlaff Tells Of How studying Abroad Helped Her Career
http://on.ft.com/vqVNNk
Is The Grass Really Always Greener On The Other Side?
by Expat Anne Egros (who moved from Belgium to the United States)
http://bit.ly/tDjRjL
Understanding & Overcoming The Challenges Of Pursuing An Expat Career, By Megan Fitzgerald
http://bit.ly/vzMYZQ
Wondering If Traveling Abroad Is For You?
http://bit.ly/sNWsVF
Adventurous Expat Lawyer Cycles 17,000km home from China to Norfolk
http://tgr.ph/sYWzHz
Uncertainty in Expat Life
http://ow.ly/7G67K
Expats: Starting a Franchise Career Abroad? Learn from Fay Jones & Fiona Butler
http://bit.ly/ugS8b8
Expats: Interested In Starting A Business Abroad In France?
http://bit.ly/s8BjaN
American Expats: Can You Still Get Tax Benefits If You Live In A Foreign Restricted Country
http://bit.ly/w0lmoE
...And finally, this one is not expat-related, but I loved it, so am including it just for fun...
[Video]
"100 years of style in 100 seconds."
http://bit.ly/uSKqJQ
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Expat Partners: Do You Really Want To Work, Or Are You Just Paying Lip-Service To Your Lack Of A Career Abroad? (Survey)
Hi Everyone, Evelyn Simpson and her colleague Louise Wiles have put together a survey with regards to how relocation abroad has affected the career choices of accompanying expat partners.
If you can help by completing the survey, please do so here. They estimate it to take about 15 minutes.
Here are some words from Evelyn Simpson...
"When I contemplate the dynamic and successful careers that my husband and I had when our expat days were just beginning, I wonder how, after nearly 12 years of moving over three continents and with two children, our lives would be if we were still trying to maintain both of those careers. Here are just some of the problems for which I could not envision solutions:
* How would we manage to engineer moves with different companies to the same countries without one or other of us stepping back?
* Would we both be able to get working visas if one of us had to look for a new job with a move?
* Would we both be able to progress our careers with multiple moves or would disruption, language issues, salary issues, recognition of qualifications and experience have derailed one or both careers?
* How would we have managed childcare issues - day to day, days when kids were sick, holidays - without all our familiar systems in place?
* How would we have managed the practicalities of our six moves if both of us had to start work straight away?
For us, it was a moot point. I wanted to be able to see my daughter in the mornings and the evenings but the intensity and unpredictability of investment banking would make that a rare occurrence. So I resigned. But for other couples, these are just some of the dilemmas they face when one is offered the opportunity to move internationally and both want to continue with their careers.
Unfortunately the numbers show that few couples manage to pull it off successfully. The Permits Foundation's 2008 International Survey of Expatriate Spouses and Partners showed that while 90% of spouses and partners were either in paid employment or self employed prior to relocation, only 28% remained so after relocation.
In my own case, the decision was carefully thought out and driven by my desire for a change as well as the needs of our family. However, after two more international moves and another baby, a return to work in a new country, and with limited support seemed like a long shot. And that’s before I considered that, before long, we would be on the move again. Luckily for me, in coaching I found my vocation, which I can conveniently practice from wherever I find myself and which gives me the flexibility to accommodate our family logistics. However, you can see that although my initial decision was purposeful, the unintended consequence of our choices was that my options to return to a traditional workplace were limited, regardless of my legal entitlement.
Earlier this summer, Louise Wiles, founder of Success Abroad Coaching and I responded to a question on LinkedIn which asked if accompanying partners really want to work or whether we just pay lip service to the idea of working, safe in the knowledge that legally, most of us are prevented from doing so. Inspired by the question and our interest in the lives of accompanying partners, we decided to launch a survey, which explores this topic and also considers the factors which influence the choice to work or not and how that choice affects life satisfaction.
If you would like to support our work, please complete the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/partnerscareerchoices
Many, many thanks! Evelyn."
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (November 24-25 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you have been enjoying a great week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Hotels Around The World With Amazing Views
http://tgr.ph/rEHj1a
My Father, the Expat Codebreaker, by Alison Ripley
http://tgr.ph/rT4I9L
43 Reasons An Expat Might Love Living In Sweden
http://bit.ly/uvN3sp
6 Tips To Save On International Currency Transfers
http://bit.ly/rQgLv0
Another Work-From-Home Scam - Expat Women Freelancing Abroad Should Beware
http://bit.ly/vlc0oh
Goodbye to Singapore's Mr Chips - 32-year Expat Honored on His Retirement
http://tgr.ph/tDJV20
Interesting Websites If You Are Raising Kids Abroad
http://bit.ly/vsu4zq
2011 Expat of the Year in the Philippines - Named at Asia CEO Awards
http://bit.ly/vaHYZ1
Expats in the Netherlands? Expatica's Expat Education Fair is on 1 December in Amsterdam
http://bit.ly/tu2o7A
Man Watches Home Being Robbed Through His iPad While On Holidays 8,000km Away
http://bit.ly/tErErE
Repatriate Blogger for The Telegraph UK, Ex-Expat Chelsea Girl Says She's Looking At The UK Through Chinese Eyes Now
http://tgr.ph/ufTSvx
Black Women in Europe - PowerList 2011
http://bit.ly/w5a4ww
And the quote for the week...
"You only have one privacy setting: public... use social media wisely." from @coolcatteacher
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (November 15-16 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you are enjoying a fabulous week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Is Your Accent Ruining Your Career?
bit.ly/rq3nav
10 Tips for Landing a PR Job Abroad
bit.ly/sVGxOk
3 Traps Facing New Global Leaders (Harvard Biz)
bit.ly/tkWzso
UK Expats and Wills: Why, Where, How and Other FAQs
bit.ly/tqKkKh
Life's a Beach: Living as an Expat on Sydney's Northern Beaches & Sharing My Life Less Ordinary, (Russell Ward)
http://bit.ly/v1dDXm
3 Ways To Raise Bilingual Children
tinyurl.com/cfwmvzu
17 Adventure Trips To Take Right Now
bit.ly/rKDGe9
20 of the World's Weirdest Natural Sights
bit.ly/ta1wh5
13 Insanely Cool Resumes That Landed Interviews At Google and Other Top Jobs
read.bi/tPg8Ci
Feature: 3 Inventive Businesses Set Up To Make Expat Life Easier (Telegraph Expat)
fb.me/1iLOAUlUh
The True Cost of Commuting: You Could Buy a House $15k More for Each Mile You Move Closer to Work
lifehac.kr/uoP7mj
And finally... a big congrats to the Gold Coast (QLD, Australia) for securing the 2018 Commonwealth Games!
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (November 8-9 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope your week has started with some nice surprises! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Top 10 Best Value Destinations for 2012 (Lonely Planet)
ow.ly/7iCkn
iPad2s Up For Grabs! Simply Vote For Your Favourite British Place Abroad (Telegraph Expat)
bit.ly/p54uCE
Expat in the Netherlands? Win 2 @CRAVEcompany The Hague copies - Featuring Women Entrepreneurs
bit.ly/shkpcs
Experts Discount Expat Fears About Recent Landmark Ruling On UK Tax Affairs
tgr.ph/tyS8Tc
20 Most Recent Blogs In Our Expat Women Blog Directory
bit.ly/igeWXc
Strategies For A UN Job Search (Part 3): Review Recruitment Options
bit.ly/s51nJA
Shanghai Launches Expat Recruitment Drive
tgr.ph/rrU1yX
Should Travel And Living Abroad Be All About You? What About Helping Others?"
bit.ly/sanuu5
Expat Josephine McDermott Tells The Story Of Her Unforgettable 4 years in China (Telegraph Expat)
tgr.ph/sf0ZzX
Locations Are Like Lovers... New Blog Post by Expat @shamozal
bit.ly/tnpbFs
New "Gutsy Living" Interview With Karen Van Der Zee - About Life Abroad & Her Gutsy Decision To Go Marry A Foreigner In Africa
bit.ly/sJIbwK
...ps. If You Missed Our Expat Women Interview With Karen About Her Success As A Writer Abroad, With 35 Novels Published by Harlequin, Here It Is Again...
bit.ly/rBfYk5
My Favourite Quote This Week:
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." - Erin Majors
(found via @GreatestQuotes)
And Finally, A Warning...
80% of Burglars Use Social Networks To Find Their Next Target [Infographic]
bit.ly/tBxxUQ
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (October 30-31 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you enjoyed a wonderful fun-filled weekend! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Registration Now Open For FIGT (Families in Global Transition) Conference, March 2012, Washington
http://www.figt.org/
Expat Entrepreneur Interview:
Expat Life Coach John Falchetto talks to Mara Vaughan (Egypt)
http://bit.ly/slgfUc
Expat Life: What’s a Nice Protestant Girl Doing in this Place?
http://bit.ly/vEYSUL
How Air Pollution Impacts Expat Kids
http://bit.ly/tTLl9i
Feeling Negative Abroad?
Read Our Expat Women October Confession
http://bit.ly/ohAty9
British Expats Refusing To Go Home:
15% Call Off Repatriation Plans
http://bit.ly/t0AUwp
Strategies for a UN Job Search (Part 2):
Research the Duty Stations (Passport Career Blog)
http://bit.ly/rVKunE
Luxury Clinic Sued After Australian Expat Left Blinded in One Eye (Moscow Times)
http://bit.ly/se8VTM
Can You Relate To This 1955 Philip Larkin Poem Title?
"The Importance of Being Elsewhere"
http://bit.ly/uim9nw
British Expat Sets Up A Theater Studio In Moscow (Video)
http://bit.ly/u8ZjfR
Plus, a quote that I liked this past week:
"If you're OK out of your comfort zone... you're not out of your comfort zone." by @lesmckeown (thanks @JohnFalchetto for sharing)
And finally, news from @LonelyPlanet's Twitter feed:
"Iceland is the top country destination as voted by Lonely Planet travellers for 2012!"
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (October 25-26 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you are having a wonderful week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Excellent Article About Moving Abroad and/or Moving Back Home - on Matador Network
http://bit.ly/ods96E
"Hired in Shanghai: How I Did It"
Great Post For Expats (or Anyone) Looking for Work
http://bit.ly/noRP7P
Challenges Faced By Expat Women - via Escape From America Magazine
http://bit.ly/nYBlzu
Expat Divorce A Tricky Affair
http://bit.ly/qeIspv
Career Break Travel Myths - via Lonely Planet
http://bit.ly/qwNeZQ
Expat Coach Directory
http://bit.ly/oBXwGS
Expats: Want To Win an IPAD2? Tell The UK Telegraph Expat Your Favourite British Place Abroad
http://bit.ly/p54uCE
Digging Deep: 'Earthscraper' Building To Plunge 300m Underground In Mexico City
http://bit.ly/uyDBq9
Strategies For a UN Job Search - on Passport Career
http://bit.ly/qXsb3Y
Reminder: David Pollock Scholarship Applications for Families in Global Transition (FIGT) Conference (March 2012) Due December
http://bit.ly/pWB3N3
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Twitter Links? (October 12-13 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope you are having a sensational week! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Love it! Expat Creative Solution For When Locals Stare At Foreigners
"'You Lookin' At Me? Fake Book"
http://bit.ly/o10wZn
Expat Entrepreneurs Sowing Seeds of Success Abroad
bit.ly/raazI2
27 Tips For First Time Expats
http://bit.ly/oEqfqb
Thailand Overtakes Bahrain As "Best Expat Destination" In HSBC Explorer Survey Results
http://bit.ly/r3L7YX
Want To See A Preview Of HSBC 2011 Expat Explorer Survey Results?
(Full Report Available November)
http://bit.ly/mRDqWG
10 Tips for Successful Expat Living: Flashback
http://bit.ly/n4g6Vo
"Why Aren’t Gulf Expats Saving Any Money?"
http://tgr.ph/rcuWxR
Hats Off To Becky! “From Career Breaker to Expat”
http://bit.ly/qL0zkG
5 Expat Types You May Meet When Living Overseas
http://bit.ly/pvZiY3
"Julia Child's Curiosity About French Cuisine Led To A Displaced Life"
http://bit.ly/r0ylvp
7 Deadly Sins of Expats and Social Media
http://bit.ly/mToamS
…And finally, a great reminder for repatriates! "Never let your memories be greater than your dreams." Doug Ivester (quoted on Twitter by @GreatestQuotes)
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
Domestic Violence in Expat Communities
Hi Everyone, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we wanted to make sure you are aware of an important resource, should you find yourself in need of help. While leaving an abusive relationship is challenging for any woman, for women living abroad, the challenges may seem insurmountable.
The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center works with abused American women and their children in foreign countries to provide domestic violence and child abuse advocacy, resources and tools so that they can navigate the complicated jurisdictional, legal and social international landscapes, to be able to live their lives free of abuse either in the foreign country or back in the United States. Both civilian and military populations are served. (Unfortunately they are only resourced to serve Americans, but non-American expats are being abused can refer to this website and/or call to ask the AODVCC if there are any other possible resources in their current local area.)
Advocates and case managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week internationally toll free. First dial the AT&T USADirect access number for the country you are in. You can find the access number for the country you are in here. After dialing the access code please enter our phone number: 866-USWOMEN (879-6636) after the prompt. For more information please visit www.866uswomen.org.
Warning: Please remember that your emails and website searches can be tracked from your computer. If you fear for your safety, you might prefer to use a computer other than your own to visit sites like this.
By the way, if you missed our Expat Women interview with the founder of the AODVCC, Paula Lucas, you can read about this inspirational woman, and she escaped domestic violence, here.
Stay safe, and thanks in advance for spreading the word, Andrea.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The 11ElevenProject - Creating a Snapshot of Life Around the World on 11/11/11
Hi Everyone, I heard today about a very interesting project planned for 11 November 2011. It is called the 11 Eleven Project and it is an international not-for-profit film project that aims to use the arts to create global good. The email came from the Women's Partnership Diversity Coordinator for the project, because she wants to ensure that the story of womanhood, motherhood and sisterhood is captured in the global narrative. To find out more, and to leave a snapshot of your life on 11/11/11, please visit the official website here. If you like, you can follow them on Twitter at @11elevenproject.
All proceeds from the 2 hour documentary feature film, photographic book and world music album produced by Grammy Award Winner Imogen Heap will be donated to charities supporting the 8 UN developmental Goals including WWF, The Hunger Project, Save The Children and Hamlin Fistula.
Many thanks for your support, and good luck to the 11ElevenProject team! Andrea
Worldwide ERC's October 2011 Mobility Magazine
Hi Everyone, If you are in the expat, global mobility and/or relocation industries, you may be interested in the October edition of Worldwide ERC®'s Mobility Magazine, which features the following:
The Road Less Traveled: Employee Assignments in Emerging Economies
By Ali Kursun and Steven P. Nurney
International Assignments: Leader-Led Action Learning
By Ernest Gundling, Ph.D., and Terry Hogan
The Challenge of International Pensions
By Nino Nelissen, SGMS
Destination Profile: Denver, Colorado
By Jessica Petzel, GMS
Stress and Mental Health: Expatriates at Risk
By Sean D. Truman, Ph.D., LP, David A. Sharar, Ph.D., and John C. Pompe, Psy.D., LP, SPHR
Putting Down Roots: How Localization Can Help Reduce Expatriate Program Costs
By Julian Yates
Blue Cards and the Employer Sanctions Directive: ‘Desirable’ and ‘Undesirable’ Migrants to the EU
By Sophy King
In the Spotlight: Managing Foreign Employees at U.S. Client Sites
By Diana Bauerle and Lynden Melmed
Emerging Trends: ‘Best and Brightest’ Schemes Impact Recruitment and Immigration Compliance
By Glenn Faulk and Katherine Salem, GMS
Cultural Challenges of Working in Africa
By Geremie Sawadogo, Ph.D., GMS
Human Capital Development: Best Practices for a Winning Team
By Robert F. Burch, SCRP
Expatriate Parents: Localization With Children?
By Elizabeth Perelstein
The Realities of Global Relocation: The Business Value of Transition Assistance
By Lauren Herring, CRP, SGMS
L-1s: Destination Services Support Assignment Success
By Phillip A. Kosanovich, SCRP
A Day in the Life of a Household Goods Driver
By Eric Reed, CRP, GMS
Happy reading! Andrea
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Expats: Do You Struggle With Your Global Identity?
Hi Everyone, If you ever struggle with your global and/or creative identity, today's post about Anastasia Ashman and Tara Agacayak's new website, Global Niche, might interest you. Anastasia's name might already be familiar to some/many of you, as we interviewed Anastasia back in 2007 about her book Expat Harem, and many of you might also see her regularly tweeting expat links as @AnastasiaAshman. Anastasia tells us more...
Get Creative About Your Place in the World:
How To Operate On A Micro-Yet-Global Level With A Global Niche
"Do you ever feel suspended between multiple worlds – challenged in your pursuits and interests by culture, geography, language or time zone?
Welcome to the club. The Global Niche club, that is. Here we take advantage of our situation mismatches.
In fact, after fourteen years of expatriatism and through my cultural identity work as a writer/producer I’ve come to see this psychic limbo state about who we are and where we belong – familiar to people with trans global lives and culturally hybrid lifestyles – as our secret weapon.
To start at the beginning, we’re all born global citizens even if that knowledge gets trained out of us. As we mature, a global identity seems nebulous, and ungrounded. Better to bond with the more concrete: family, culture, nation. Our schoolmates, colleagues, neighbors.
There’s a problem with concrete, though. It cracks over time and in quickly changing conditions, and sometimes even under its own weight.
I’d even venture to say that ‘our people’ today are not who they used to be. We’re unbounded by the communities in our physical midst. Now we can find inspiring new kinship in interest and outlook.
Expats and international types have more reasons than most to find a way to operate independently of where we happen to be physically. But with today's economic uncertainties no matter who or where we are, we all have to embrace an enterprising view of ourselves – a way to operate unlimited by the options around us. With recent advances in virtual technologies like mobile devices and the social web, we have tools at our disposal to help us live a globally unbounded life.
Now we don’t have to be a tech expert or social media guru to build a micro-yet-global base of operations with a professional web platform and virtual network for continuing education, professional development, and a close-knit but world-flung set of friends. We can be digital world citizens and achieve a cutting-edge state of being – that is, what I call ‘psychic location independence’.
I coined the concept of a global niche – defined as a ‘psychic solution to your global identity crisis’-- at expat+HAREM, the online community of global citizens, identity adventurers and intentional travelers I founded in 2009. The group blog was inspired by the global community that gathered around Tales from the Expat Harem, an anthology by foreign women about their lives in modern Turkey that I co-edited in 2005 with fellow Istanbul resident Jennifer Gokmen.
Expatharem.com was also informed by the idea of an ‘expat harem’ itself, where all the writers in the book and the readers drawn to them are cultural peers in a virtual realm.
Along with my partner Tara Agacayak, a creative enterprise consultant from Silicon Valley in America who’s spent the past 10 years in Turkey, this fall I launched a new work-life initiative at GlobalNiche.net.
In this hands-on venture we'll be practicing creative self enterprise for the global soul, based on the philosophies evolved from 175 incisive neoculture discussions and 2,800 comments at the expat+HAREM site.
Besides the expat+HAREM revelations, we’re also applying life-work innovations Tara and I have been exploring in the past few years in our professional communities of creative entrepreneurs and social media proponents. Combining our expat and entrepreneurship experiences has led us to the conclusion that networked reality is the most important independent survival skill of international people.
If you are interested to receive email about the life-work journeys of mobile progressives and cultural creatives in situation mismatches, please sign up at GlobalNiche.net. Thank you!"
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Missed Some Great Expat Links on Twitter? (October 4 edition)
Hi Everyone, I hope your weekend was fantastic! Here are some expat links I have tweeted recently, that might interest you...
Clearing Up Common Myths About What It Means to Be Bilingual
owl.li/6ISNx
New Site For Expats (And Others) Who Love To Travel!
Trippy: It Lets Your Friends Help You Plan Your Trips.
Watch the Video to Understand How Cool This New Site Will Be.
on.mash.to/pA6L9a
Looking For A Job? Think Globally: New Post and Book by Stacie Nevadomski Berdan
huff.to/qV64Js
Writers Abroad Radio Show 19 – Suzanne Kamata – A Prolific Expat Author in Japan
bit.ly/osJcit
5 Lessons Expats Can Learn From Modern Day Vikings
http://bit.ly/oCfEU5
Expat Spouses and Partners: Can You Help Regula With Her Masters Thesis By Completing This Survey?
bit.ly/qx2l0B
Expat Entrepreneurs Enjoying Success Overseas
bit.ly/nM8JYO
Can You Teach Cultural Intelligence Or Is It Acquired Through International Assignments (Forbes)
onforb.es/nAd18K
My Heart Goes Out To Julie: Here Is Her Marriage Visa Disaster Story
http://bit.ly/nlVkdW
26 Things You Can Learn By Living Abroad For A Year
slidesha.re/np9bOK
Busting the Location Independent and Designer Lifestyle Myth
bit.ly/otIB2n
Free Corporate VIP Passes: European Global Mobility Summit, London, 4 November
bit.ly/oA50XW
The Beatles George Harrison Kept as Time Capsules Fully Packed Suitcases From Trips Abroad
nyti.ms/nQPg5J
Response by Kirsty Rice to... "In my next life I'm coming back as an expat wife!"
bit.ly/o2dmEi
***
To follow me in 'real time' and keep up with even more great expat links on Twitter, please click here.
