ExpatExchange Blog

Culture Shock Report: Roquebrun, France

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:50:50 +0000

Here are some highlights from a Culture Shock Report from Roquebrun, France:

What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?

Pace of life in the village, availability of high quality fresh food and wine, friendliness of the people and willingness to work with my language shortcomings, lack of rampant materialism compared to the US, secular nature of the society, ongoing traditions. I am in a winemaking village in the Languedoc.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Becoming fluent in French and being patient with the inordinate amount of time bureaucratic things take to be accomplished. Dealing with the utility companies, internet, etc. is very frustrating, as it takes months to get some things taken care of that would take hours or days in the U.S.

Did you “commit” any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you’d like to share them, please do tell!

Several times I have mistaken one word for another in French, so gave a funny response. Everyone finds it amusing, but it has been funny rather than embarrassing. Best one was at the notaires, I’m buying a house and was there with the seller and we are talking with the notaire about the transaction. He confirms that I am paying cash, and I reply yes I am contented. There is an expression for paying cash that sounds exactly like, Are you contented? – I was unfamiliar with that terminology, so we all had a good laugh about that.

Please take the time to provide your culture shock report for anywhere (and everywhere!) that you have lived abroad. Remember how challenging it was when you moved abroad – this first hand information is what expats appreciate most while they prepare themselves to take the expatriate plunge!

Expats and Health Care: Canada

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:23:09 +0000

Health care is one of the most important aspects of an expatriate adventure. It does not matter if you are working abroad for a corporation or trekking through the Alps writing a novel. It is foolhardy to ignore it.

Telegraph.co.uk has added an article for expats about the Canadian health care system, and British expats in particular will find it useful as it compares it to the British system:

Britons emigrating to Canada do not necessarily need to show evidence of medical insurance at port of entry, unlike many countries. But they are expected to buy temporary private insurance within five days of arriving in their province or territory. If this deadline is overlooked, insurance companies may refuse coverage.

The officially recommended period for which temporary cover should be bought is three months. To avoid a long period before you can use medicare, you should apply on arrival for a state medical card from your province or territory.

This level of specificity is very helpful for expats, and those that take the time to read the article will find a great deal more to get primed for what they’ll need to do to manage their health care in Canada.

Expatriate Assignments with Children

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:04:46 +0000

One of the key factors for parents when they evaluate whether or not to accept an expatriate assignment is the impact that it will have on their children. And for good reason. Family issues rank atop the list of problems that cause expatriate assignment failure.

Peter Foster, Telegraph.co.uk’s Beijing correspondent, wonders aloud in an interesting article as to whether or not the expat life should be “inflicted” on children. One thing he confesses are his motivations:

So why did we come? Well, I know why I came. I was lured by the challenge of reporting on the story of the century: the great conundrum that is China and its role in the emerging post-Cold War order. No foreign correspondent worth his expenses would pass up that assignment. But it’s also fair to ask what’s in it for my wife and children, beyond a lungful of soot particles and a life cooped up like battery hens in a Beijing high-rise.

Whatever the motivation, the reality is that some children will benefit from the experience and some will look back on it with total disdain. Of course, that’s a very black-and-white analysis, and there will be many more former expats that will fall somewhere between these extremes when they assess their life abroad as kids. Mr. Foster’s telling of his experience is interesting and informative. But he is one man telling one expatriate family’s story. Our experience on ExpatExchange.com over the course of the last 13 years and interacting with thousands of expats has been that has been exactly what is stated above – some love it, some hate it, and some think it’s just okay!

English Expats in New York Slide Show

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:19:13 +0000

English expats in New York are not a rare sighting. You’ll encounter them all over the city doing as many different things as you would any old run-of-the-mill American. The BBC.co.uk has a wonderful slide show about British expats in New York City that focuses on the work of photographer Jason Bell:

His [Bell's] photographic results – published in a new book ‘An Englishman in New York’ – are on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London. BBC Radio 4’s magazine programme Broadcasting House travelled to the US – and caught up with Jason, and some of his subjects.

My favorite part of this slide show is the variation of professions that are represented. It would be interesting to hear the perspectives of Americans and British with regard to the views expressed about New York City. American expats in London who would like a taste of home might find this a great way to spend an afternoon!

A Cautionary Tale for Expats

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:20:14 +0000

Future or current expats: imagine having to live on the streets of a Middle Eastern city. Many expats think that this could never happen to them. Without careful attention to details, local laws and customs, this CAN happen to anyone:

Nicholas Warner, a British man who has been living rough on the streets of Dubai, is travelling back to the UK.

With help from locals and an expat sponsor, he obtained the release of his passport from the authorities.

Mr Warner had been sleeping in parks and public places around the city for nearly 12 weeks.

He said his problems began when he got into a dispute with his bank, Emirates NBD, initially over whether his credit card repayments had been made.

The U.A.E. in particular has seen so many expats from all over the world flee their debt, it is not surprising that something like this could happen. It’s unlikely that Mr. Warner is the only person that has been put in this situation. As the article doesn’t delve into the details over the dispute, what’s clear is that as an individual expat Mr. Warner was powerless to garner the release of his passport for a long period of time.

How Many Expats Have Been to 42 Countries?

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:31:35 +0000

We’ve received incredible insight over the years from the experienced expats that have shared their knowledge on ExpatExchange. Many of these expats have lived in a handful of countries and are well respected by those that are considering a move abroad or those that have only lived overseas for a short period of time.

Even these experienced expats pale in comparison to Heidi, who has written about her LONG expat journey on Telegraph.co.uk:

Travel well and truly forced its way into my bloodstream and I have continued to incorporate this transient lifestyle into my adulthood. Since leaving home, I have lived as an expat in America, Canada, Thailand, India and New Zealand, being anything from a secretary to an orphanage volunteer. I have been to more than 42 countries (and counting) and never stayed anywhere for more than four years.

Everyone else just seems to be a rookie compared to Heidi, don’t they?

Culture Shock Report: Saudi Arabia

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:25:53 +0000

Culture Shock exists on a spectrum. Some expats get a little, some expats get a lot, and there are a lot of people that fall somewhere in between the extremes.

So, there will be people that simply are not prepared or unable to cope with what they encounter when they move to a new country and culture. And just because someone happens to do well on one assignment does not mean they will be able to adjust to another.

Here’s an example of one expatriate’s reaction to Saudi Arabia, which can be found in his Saudi Arabia Culture Shock Report for the cities of Dammam, Riyadh, Najran, Khafji:

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

Mind Boggling

Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?

Yes, before I have lived and worked all over the U.S. and Korea while traveling to Japan, Viet Nam, Thailand and now I live in The Philippines.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

[I] found it very frustrating to be always “negotiating” more time off with the students. On one hand I was required to teach and on the other hand, not to push the students too hard because they would report my efforts at maintaining classroom decorum as being “culturally insensitive.”

Share your Culture Shock Report on ExpatExchange.com!

Reverse Culture Shock

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:36:16 +0000

Culture shock. On some level every expat experiences it. Yet, one of the more interesting aspects of the expatriate experience is Reverse Culture Shock. You know…the reality that the adjustment to one’s native culture can be just as difficult as the tranistion abroad in the first place.

A slightly different take on Reverse Culture Shock popped up on the Expat Blog on Telegraph.co.uk. Instead of a focus on a move home, it addresses what one British expat noticed on a trip home:

After 12 years in Dubai, driving on the M25 was as civilised an experience as a visit to the opera. There was no under-cutting, no lane-swerving, no mad camera-dodging; none of the random driving that you see every day in Dubai. Kids were even in car seats. The words “Stay in lane” actually meant something. People queued in the right lanes – nobody forged up the hard shoulder and barged in at the top.

We’ve addressed Reverse Culture Shock in the past on the ExpatExchange Blog, and here’s another article on the topic of Repatriation. And here’s one more for good measure: a Reverse Culture Shock Checklist.

It’s always of great interest to hear the things that shock an expat upon return. Feel free to share your thoughts here or to this post about Reverse Culture Shock on our Expat Global Forum.

Expats: What is the Downside?

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:23:56 +0000

Expats often feel there is little to love about how they are regarded – legally – by their native countries. While living abroad, many feel they are treated like second-class citizens in terms of things like taxes, voting, citizenship and other issues. Each nation is a little different, and this article from The Globe And Mail about the Downside of Expat Life for Canadian citizens highlights that reality:

Kenny Zhang, a researcher with the Vancouver-based Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, argues that government policies punish so-called transnational Canadians. For example, naturalized Canadian citizens living abroad can not pass on citizenship to children born outside the country. Also, a Canadian who lives abroad for more than five years is no longer permitted to vote in federal elections.

The article also highlights some high profile Canadian expats. The article notes the importance stated by surveyed expats with regard to maintaining their Canadian identity. The vast majority also indicate that they intend to return to Canada.

Expats Play Rugby in China

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:36:22 +0000

Interesting to note that Rugby will be added to the Olympic slate in 2016, when the games will be hosted in Rio. Not only have expat women been playing Rugby in Asia, but one has even played on some of the men’s teams there!

Alana Padilla, 30, is a Filipino expat who has lived in Hangzhou, China for three years:

She was instrumental in making the Hangzhou Harlequins Men’s 15s side a competitive team, after it was originally founded by Brit Simon Whitton in 2006. She plays in the men’s 15s matches. She also plays for Shanghai’s women’s sevens team, Shanghai Sharks. She said she was “honoured” to play in the first ever Philippines national women’s team. She added: “I am very proud that we shut out the four teams we faced on Sunday.”

It will be very exciting to see Rugby added in the Olympics in 2016. Now, is American Football next!?

A British Expat to be Next Prime Minister of Australia

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:41:13 +0000

A British Expat will be the next Prime Minister of Australia, regardless of the outcome of the election:

Welsh-born Labour premier Julia Gillard, 48, will come head to head with 52-year-old Liberal leader Tony Abbott, who was born in London, when the election, expected to be called tomorrow is held in late August.

The article goes on to note that this will not be the first time that a British expat has held the position. However, it has been quite some time since the last expatriate won the post:

Since the office of Prime Minister was created in Australia in 1901 only four others were born in the United Kingdom – George Reid (1904) and Andrew Fisher (1908) were born in Scotland, Joseph Cook (1913) in England and William Hughes (1915) in Wales.

Is this a sign of the times? Will the globally mobile be more likely to win high office going forward? While Australia’s political attachment to the U.K. is of note here, it’s interesting that it has been so long since it last occurred, and here we have expats on the ticket for both the Labour and Liberal parties.

Of course, much to the chagrin of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger, this couldn’t happen in the U.S. Foreign-born citizens are disqualified for the office of U.S. President by Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

What to do First When Moving to Another Country

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:04:13 +0000

Expats often don’t know exactly how to start the process of moving overseas – or even researching the possibility of moving overseas.

ExpatExchange.com member Russell has posted his thoughts on what one should do first when moving to another country. Here are a few of his thoughts:

We attended immigration fairs, signed up to expat forums, spoke with distant relatives in our chosen new home, and undertook endless research on the web. This culminated in a fact-finding trip to Vancouver to research areas to live in, jobs to work at, and things to see and do. We were ready to go. However, the Canadian authorities were not ready for us to go. In fact, little did we know it but we were two whole years away from getting our visas. Two years of endless waiting, total frustration, and a complete lack of communication from the powers-that-be. There was nothing more we could do but wait.

At the end of his post, he adds a short list of his thoughts as to what one should do first when moving overseas. Here’s number 5 from his list:

5. Be brave. Loved ones will be upset/angry/annoyed, friends may question your decision, and work colleagues will think you’re mad. Keep reminding yourself of the reasons for leaving and stay the course in search of your better life.

This type of direct insight from people that currently live abroad, or have recently, is what makes our members so valuable to one another!

World’s Happiest Countries

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:11:04 +0000

A recent Gallup survey, highlighted on Forbes.com, found that the world’s happiest countries tend to have something in common… money! Here’s a few excerpts from a Yahoo summary article about these happy countries:

The Gallup researchers found evidence of what many have long suspected: money does buy happiness — at least a certain kind of it. In a related report, they studied the reasons why countries with high gross domestic products won out for well-being, and found an association between life satisfaction and income.

“Money is an object that many or most people desire, and pursue during the majority of their waking hours,” researchers wrote in the report. “It would be surprising if success at this pursuit had no influence whatsoever when people were asked to evaluate their lives.”

Social and psychological prosperity, fostered by tighter social networks, also contribute greatly to happiness. That is why some countries with cultures that exhibit these traits, such as Costa Rica, ranked highly in the survey.

Where does your destination country rank? Do the findings resonate with your own experiences?

Expat Impact on Spanish Politics?

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:17:50 +0000

We’ve covered the impact of politics on expats extensively in our blog in the past, but how about expats impacting local politics? European expats, particularly Brits, are taking to the political arena to address issues at the heart of a great deal of turmoil in recent years:

British national Tony Cabban is already a councillor in the municipality Javea. He was one of the first expats to get involved in local politics and form an independent political group.

AIM was launched in January 2007 by Spanish national Manuel Barrera
Mr Cabban, now running with the independent party Nueva Javea, says the mushrooming of expat-dominated political parties is a result of a lot of issues coming to a head: “There’s a lot of dissatisfaction with the way towns are run.”

One of the biggest issues is corruption in urban planning.

There has been a great deal of coverage on the British homes that have been knocked down due to improper permits, so it’s encouraging to see expats working within the political process of Spain to address the issue.

British Expats Love Australia

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:53:56 +0000

British Expats have rated Australia as the best country to live in away from home. The South Pacific island/nation/continent has taken the cake in the survey, which was conducted by the Centre for Future Studies:

More than three quarters of expats cited the better environment and quality of life for their children as the number one reason for living in Australia.

Nine out of 10 said it was the overall lifestyle which kept them there, while four out of five said the weather was one of the top five reasons for their contented state.

Additionally, the survey found that it is simply easier to do things like get a job or a mortgage in Australia than other countries.

Where’s the Most Expensive City for Corporate Expats?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:20:20 +0000

How many people out there know where Luanda is? No?

It’s in Angola, and it’s the most expensive city to live in for expats. Here’s an excerpt:

The Angolan capital Luanda is the most expensive city for corporate expats, according to a study Tuesday which includes three African cities in the top 10 for the first time.

Tokyo is second and Moscow and Geneva are also among the most costly cities in the world. At the other end of the scale Pakistan’s second city Karachi is the cheapest, according to consultants Mercer.

It’s amazing to see how this list evolves over the years in a rapidly shifting global economy and political landscape.

The Cost of Living Survey on Mercer.com

Expat Lifestyle in Vilacabamba

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:34:58 +0000

Expats in Vilacabamba, Ecuador are enjoying their lifestyle immensely, according to this article on Boston.com:

Three years ago, he and his wife bought a house with six acres in Hacienda San Joaquin. “We looked all over the world for a place to live, and we like this Valley of Longevity,” he says. “There’s a closeness with nature here. The climate here truly is paradise.” The couple grows most of their food and hike the hills.

If you’re an expat, what have been the health implications of your move abroad? How much thought did you give this before you moved abroad?

These are important questions to consider both before and during your time overseas!

Tokyo Most Expensive City for Expats

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:05:55 +0000

Tokyo is expensive for expats. Really expensive. This according to a survey by ECA International that was highlighted by InvestorOffshore.com.

The devaluation of the yen briefly sent the city out of the top 10 most expensive cities for expats. But recently the yen has strengthened, and so here it is again atop the list of the most expensive cities for expats again:

“Three years ago, the weakness of the yen pushed Tokyo out of our global top ten, but as the currency has strengthened, the cost of living for international assignees has risen,” observes Lee Quane, Regional Director – Asia, ECA International.

According to the survey, The top 5 are: Tokyo, Oslo, Luanda, Nagoya, Yokohama. Click the link above for more information on InvestorOffshore.com.

Britons Abroad Targeted Again

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:08:27 +0000

Britons abroad may take advantage of the benefits system, according to this article by MailOnline.

Taxpayers are paying millions of pounds to Britons living abroad who claim they are too sick to work.

Expats living in countries including Spain, France, Cyprus and Portugal are claiming incapacity benefits of nearly £46million a year.

Incredibly many of the 10,000 claimants have been receiving the payments for more than five years without having their cases reviewed.

This is obviously reminiscent of similar articles about British expats receiving benefits to help pay for heat abroad.

Looks like a down economy sends the government scouring for every possible bit of savings, and these expats are unlikely to find much sympathy from those who aren’t also living abroad in similar circumstances.

Expatriates Paid to be Foreign Faces

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:31:43 +0000

Expatriates find all kinds of jobs to make a move overseas. Some in China are finding that one job that can be had is that of a fake executive – as long as you have a pale complexion:

I’d be paid $1,000 for a week, put up in a fancy hotel, and wined and dined in Dongying, an industrial city in Shandong province I’d also never heard of. The only requirements were a fair complexion and a suit.

There are all kinds of industries that engage in this practice:

And so I became a fake businessman in China, an often lucrative gig for underworked expatriates here. One friend, an American who works in film, was paid to represent a Canadian company and give a speech espousing a low-carbon future. Another was flown to Shanghai to act as a seasonal-gifts buyer. Recruiting fake businessmen is one way to create the image—particularly, the image of connection—that Chinese companies crave. My Chinese-language tutor, at first aghast about how much we were getting paid, put it this way: “Having foreigners in nice suits gives the company face.”

Draw your own conclusions from this practice, but it is something interesting to note. Perception is obviously critical.

Scottish Expats return to Shetland for Shetland Hamefarin

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:56:58 +0000

Scottish Expats will return to Shetland for Shetland Hamefarin, which means Shetland Homecoming and is held only once every 25 years.

According to BBC.co.uk, the Hamefarin will include “music and dance sessions, guided tours and lectures and demonstrations of crafts and old photographs.”

The even kicks off today and will continue through June 26.

British Expats in France Increase Grocery Deliveries

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:01:05 +0000

British Expats in France have increased online orders of groceries – even French foods – from British grocery stores. As absurd as it may seem, there are all kinds of implications for the fluctuations in currencies that we’ve seen recently:

Simon Goodenough, the director of Sterling Shopping, a delivery firm based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, says his company has 2,500 British customers in France and is running five delivery vans full of food to France each week.

“We deliver food from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, but by far the biggest is Asda,” said Goodenough. “We deliver into south-west France from Poitiers downwards where it is estimated 25,000 Britons now live. We sit in our depot sometimes looking at the things people have bought and just laugh at the craziness of it all. We have seen croissants and baguettes in people’s shopping bags. And we have delivered bottles of Bergerac wine bought from Sainsbury’s to a customer in Bergerac. We even have a few French customers who have now heard about what we do. They love things like curries and tacos, which they just can’t get in France.”

It’s great that these expats have taken control of their finances and take advantage of these market conditions when they are favorable. Too many don’t, unfortunately.

Expats in Japan Try to Help Close U.S. Base

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:52:55 +0000

Expats in Japan are trying to help close Futenma, the U.S. military base on Okinawa.

While expats did not want to speak officially about the controversy there, they have privately voiced their opinions. Here is what the author hears from the expat community:

Privately, everyone seems to have a view: I heard opinions ranging from calls for all bases to close, to criticism of the Okinawans for building a city around a military installation. Citing the “sensitivity” of the issue, several people declined to talk to me.

The actions of some of these expats demonstrates one of the differences between expats and tourists… individual expats can have an impact on what happens in there destination countries. After claiming the political career of a prime minister, it will be interesting to see how this situation is resolved. Also, interesting how the economic and employment impact isn’t getting as much play in the media as other aspects of the story.

Expat Tax Day Approaches for American Expats

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:33:44 +0000

Expat Tax Day approaches for American expats everywhere!

As the big, bad day approaches, it’s critical to ensure that expats have done all of their due diligence to ensure they have not – and will not – run afoul of the law.

David McKeegan, of Greenback Tax Services offers the following sobering advice to American expats:

“The US government is using a new law – the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to force foreign financial institutions, trusts and foreign corporations to provide information on undisclosed assets held abroad,” said David McKeegan, founder of Greenback Tax Services. “If those institutions fail to do so the IRS can hit them with a 30% withholding tax on ALL INCOME originating in the US. This is a very compelling reason for the banks to comply with this request and provide data to the IRS on all US Citizens who have accounts with them outside the USA.”

Given the financial climate and the stated objectives of the Obama administration, it’s imperative that expats evaluate their financial affairs, and for many this means finding the appropriate expat tax service. Be honest with yourself as to whether or not you can accurately manage it on your own!

Expatriates, International Schools and Real Estate

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:47:31 +0000

Expatriates with school-aged children, as noted on NYTimes.com, will always place a high value on finding a place to live near an appropriate school for their kids. International schools were obviously custom designed for expat children, and so many expats rightly attempt to find places to live near them.

The article above from NYTimes.com has highlighted this need and focused on American expats in London. Our UK Forum for Expats has a lot of information provided by expats in the UK – always remember that the forum can be searched!

What is really interesting in this article is the impact that international schools can have on the real estate that surrounds them:

Mr. Bailey said that, in general, proximity to schools is especially important in cities where busing is not available and parents are forced to transport children themselves. “Busy moms would prefer to be within walking distance of the schools and will pay a premium for houses located nearby,” he said.

International schools, in particular, can have strong effects on property markets, mostly because families who want their children to have such specialized education are willing to pay for proximity.

One will often hear or read about the impact relocation has on expats, so it is interesting – and important – to remember that expats also have an impact on the places to which they relocate.