Q&A: Interview With an Expat Living in Zimbabwe
Becoming an expat is an amazing opportunity for those interested in a global lifestyle. But I also know that in some cases, the thought of leaving everything you are used to, to start a new life in a foreign country may bring a lot of uncertainty, stress, and confusion. I know this because for the past 20 years, that’s exactly what my life as an expat has been all about. The best parts about living the expat life are the many great experiences you get to have and the many people you get to meet. I met people who I still count as my friends. For this post, I had the enormous privilege...
Read MoreTop 7 Perks of Expat Living
There are so many incredible advantages to being an expat, but sometimes we forget about them and wishing ourselves back home. Print out this list and keep it in a prominent place for when you get down on your choice to be an expat. 1. You get to reinvent yourself. With each move, you get the chance to rediscover who you are. You have the power to be “the athletic one” or the “bookish one” or the “crafty one.” You can leave personality traits you don’t like behind in another country. 2. It’s almost impossible to have a lot of stuff. When you’re an expat, you’re usually moving...
Read MoreAre you looking for an international job? You need to have these 5 things.
Applying for a job abroad is not as difficult as you may think. Some people think that when you apply for a job in a country other that your own that you’ll become overwhelmed with all of the extra documentation and paperwork you’ll need to provide, but that’s not the case. The documents that you may need to submit with your job application are very similar to the documents you’re required to submit when applying for jobs within your home country, just with a few adjustments. Document 1: Updated Résumé/CV An updated CV is the first document you’ll need...
Read More6 Reasons Your Kid Will Be Thankful They Grew Up an “Expat Child”
Are you hesitant to move your career to a different country because you have kids? It’s not as big of a problem as you think. Actually, it turns out that it could be a positive–and a big one at that. In 2013, St. John’s International School conducted a poll among 131 people who grew up as expat children. They were asked to name the main benefits they received through the experience. Here’s what they had to say: 1. Experience different cultures (61.1%) It’s one thing to visit a foreign country on vacation for two weeks. It’s a whole different story to create a life there....
Read MoreHow to Deal with Culture Shock
There’s no doubt that moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture can be challenging. It takes time and requires a considerable amount of patience, even if you have experience moving abroad. Often times, the adjustment to environmental and social differences can include culture shock. When assimilating yourself into a new culture that’s very different from your own, culture shock is often unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to necessarily be a bad thing. Culture shock is a learning experience of its own, and with it comes a broadening of perspective and understanding. Getting a better...
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