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Expat Women Blog
There are 1001 things to consider if/when you make the move to live overseas.  At ExpatWomen, we understand many of the challenges that you are likely to face and we have endeavored to provide you with some essential direction and guidance to make the whole process a much smoother one for you and/or your family.  We genuinely hope that you find the articles below useful and if would like to write some of your own, please email us.
Tips & Checklists
   
Overseas Assignments
 
The Top 10 iPod Applications For Travelers And ExpatsTop 10 iPod Applications
For Travelers And Expats

Sarah Novak
We all know that having the right tools is critical for success in any endeavor. Sarah shares with us how to leverage up-and-coming iPod technology to smooth out those rough points in your overseas adventures...

Read more...
   
Top Tips for Getting Your Visa: No Matter Where You Plan to MigrateTop Tips for Getting Your Visa: No Matter Where You Plan to Migrate
Mark Johnstone
Ever fancied a life overseas? Well, chances are that you will need a visa. Moving to a new country can be a complex as well as daunting prospect and if there is one thing that can shatter your dream move, it is failing to obtain that all-important visa...

Read more...
Courage To FlyCourage To Fly
Robin Fay McNair
On every flight, while some passengers are excitedly browsing through their in-flight movie guide, other passengers are fighting their inner fear of flying and thinking things like: "Look out!", " The plane is going to fall out of the sky and crash", "I will be trapped and screaming for my life", "I cannot stand it, I will end up going crazy!"...

Read more...
   
Expat Networking: Helping You Improve the Success of Expat AssignmentsExpat Networking: Helping You Improve The Success Of Expat Assignments
Andrea Martins and
Jill Lengré
In an era of high global mobility, many professionals are searching for ways in which to boost both the success rate of their companies' expat assignments and the retention rate of those same repatriating employees. Martins and Lengré suggest expat networking as a solution.

Read more...
Picking The Right Removal CompanyPicking The Right Removal Company
Rob Fenn
Moving abroad is undoubtedly an exciting experience, but one element people often do not enjoy is the planning stage of moving their belongings to their new home. Moving abroad has added complications, so there are a few things you should do before picking a removal company for the job...

Read more...
   
10 essential tips landing job overseas10 Essential Tips For Landing A Job Overseas
Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D
1. Develop a Job-Search Strategy.
2. Determine What Jobs You Want to Pursue.
3. Research Potential Jobs, Companies, and Countries.
4. Develop / Polish / Acquire Key Job / Language Skills.
5. Prepare Job-Search Correspondence.

Read more...
Home-Based Career Do's And Don'tsHome-Based Career Do's And Don'ts
Katharine Hansen
Don't   be   sucked   in   those   dozens   of
e-mails...
Do research work-at-home opportunities scrupulously...
Do consider your own passions and interests...
Do think about whether you might need additional training...
Don't be daunted the costs of working at home...

Read more...
   
Expat EvolutionExpat Evolution
ORC Worldwide
The use of international assignments is not only growing, but its role is changing, according to ORC Worldwide's 2006 Worldwide Survey of International Assignment Policies and Practices. The survey shows 56 percent of companies have increased expatriate usage.

Read more...
Overseas Job Search TipsOverseas Job Search Tips
Andrea Martins
1. Get the correct work visas and permits.
2. Check that local employers can hire you.
3. Set realistic salary expectations
4. Follow up your job application with a phone call
5. Network as much as possible.

Read more...
   
Feng Shui Your WayFeng Shui Your Way
To Relocation Success

Samantha Honey
What woman does not wish for herself and her family a smooth transition into a new home – and wish to find herself and those she loves in an environment that feels welcoming, relaxing and healthy? Whether you have a choice in the home you move to... whether you like the place instantly upon entering, or dread returning to those four walls every day...

Read more...
From Chennai to Shanghai: Expatriate Executive Women Working in AsiaFrom Chennai to Shanghai: Expatriate Executive Women Working in Asia
Andrea Martins
Expatriate executive women have long been an enigma. Always the minority, they tend to get overlooked in conversations and focus groups about international assignments. We know that they are out there.

Read more...
   
Truth About Overseas Assignments & Expat Relocation PackagesTruth About Overseas Assignments & Expat Relocation Packages
ShelterOffShore.com
In this article we examine the truth about overseas assignments and relocation packages for anyone contemplating an offer from their company to work abroad for a period of time. We'll show you what you need to negotiate for and how to go about it ...

Read more...
Women On Overseas Assignments
http://www.interchangeinstitute.org/
A study of women expatriates from around the world - their reflections on what their companies are doing to maximize their adjustment at work and at home.
 
Six Job-Search Tips For Expatriate Spouses
http://www.careerjournal.com/
With the increase in the number of dual-earner couples around the world, spousal employment is a problem more transferees are facing. This article includes six job search tips to help expatriate spouses find the best way to secure employment.
 
Ensure an Overseas Stint Will Accelerate Your Career
http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/workabroad/20041209-tanelli.html
Failing to plan ahead can stall your career, while taking initiative early on is likely to enhance it.
 
Top
 
 
 
Blogging & Social Media
 
Stumbling Along...Stumbling Along...
Jenny Early
The internet can be a dreadful bore. You visit the same old websites day in day out, whether from habit or necessity. Finding something new and interesting in the net's plethora of pages can be a real chore. How on earth do you sift through it all to find something you really want to see, without trailing through all of the junk as well?

Read more...
   
Social Media Social Media
Common Craft
Confused about Social Media? To learn about Social Media in Plain English, watch this 4 minute video...

Read more...
Blogs in Plain English Blogs In Plain English
Common Craft
If you want to learn about blogs in plain English, this page will show you a user-friendly 3 minute video...

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What is a Blog?What Is A Blog?
Andrea Martins
The term "blog" is blend of the words web and log (web log). Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news and some function as more personal online diaries.

Read more...
10 Tips for Expat Women Blogging 10 Tips for Expat Women Blogging
Lea Woodward
Here are ten tips to help you get started blogging in wherever country you are living.

Read more…
     
Top
 
 
 
Learning A New Language
 
Language Learning TipsLanguage Learning Tips
AskOxford.com
1. Find out what kind of learner you are
2. Work at your own pace
3. Why not learn with someone else?
4. Remember that you can go a long way with just a little language
5. Language learning is also about intuition
6. Don't get stuck a word you don't know
7. Speak, speak, speak!
8. Build up your vocabulary
9. Get the right tool
4. Get used to hearing everyday language at normal speed

Read more ...
     
May Speak English, But It's Not Your English
http://www.careerjournal.com/

The problems often start with the language. Although your colleagues may speak English, their words and phrases may not carry the same emphasis or meaning as they do in the U.S...
Top
 
 
 
 
Cultural Iceberg: A Metaphor For Transitioning Into A New CultureCultural Iceberg:
A Metaphor For Transitioning Into A New Culture

Lisa Velazquez
Picture an iceberg in your mind. Imagine, you are on a ship sailing towards an iceberg that is off in the distance. Are you primarily occupied with the visible part or do you also wonder about what lies below the surface?
Read more…
   
Mind Your Multicultural Manners: It's Good for BusinessMind Your Multicultural Manners:
It's Good For Business

Lisa La Valle-Finan
Unless you have been living in a cave lately, you are probably experiencing considerable anxiety about the global economic crisis. This emotion is immediately followed by further panic when recruiters or employers are asking you to 'go global' to make yourself more marketable. That is if you still have a job...

Read more...
Cultural ConsiderationsCultural Considerations
Thunderbird
1. Symptoms of culture shock Tips for
    dealing with cultural change.
2. Tips for dealing with local attitudes &
     perceptions.
3. Helpful cultural exercises.
4. Considerations when returning home.

Read more...
   
Cultural Intelligence:
The Tool To Being Culture-Savvy

Margarita Gokun Silver
Cultural intelligence takes a more individual approach to learning the culture. Here are five steps
   
Be an active observer
Leave your assumptions and
judgmentsat home
Really listen
Be curious
Look for values

Read more...
Three Ways to Manage Culture ShockThree Ways To Manage Culture Shock
Margarita Gokun Silver
All of us at one time or another probably experienced the phenomenon that's widely regarded as culture shock. I have named the five stages with more friendly terms. This way we can see that they are merely examples of how we look at our relationship with another culture.

Read more...
     
Top
 
 
 
Traveling with Pets
 
Relocating Your Pet With The Right Vet Relocating Your Pet With
The Right Vet

Rachel Farris
Your neighborhood veterinarian might have an excellent bedside manner, know your dog's favorite place to be scratched... but if they are not familiar with the health certificate procedures for pets moving domestically or internationally, you may find yourself struggling...
Read more...
   
Preparing Your Pet's Travel SuppliesPreparing Your Pet’s Travel Supplies
The Humane Society Of The
United States
Careful preparation is the key to make certain you do not forget anything important.

Read more...
Tips for Safe Pet Air TravelTips For Safe Pet Air Travel
The Humane Society Of The
United States
Vital tips to ensure a pleasant experience when traveling with your pet plane.

Read more...
   
Traveling By Car Traveling By Car
The Humane Society Of The
United States
Important information to guarantee a enjoyable experience when traveling with your pet in the car.

Read more...
Traveling Ship or TrainTraveling Ship or Train
The Humane Society Of The
United States
Essential instructions to guarantee a pleasant encounter when traveling with your pet ship or train.

Read more...
   
What You Need Before You TravelWhat You Need Before You Travel
The Humane Society Of The
United States
Before any trip, there are veterinarian examines and legal documents required for many forms of travel.

Read more...
Top
 
 
 
Moving Overseas And Cultural Adjustment
 
Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI)
http://www.intercultural.org
The Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI) is a nonprofit charity with the mission of fostering an awareness and appreciation of cultural difference in both the international and domestic arenas offering training and development on Intercultural Communication, a non-residential Master program, as well as assessment services.
 
Moving Matters: A Study of How to Help International Transferees Relocate
http://www.interchangeinstitute.org/
A study of 104 international transferees who had moved (as expatriates or repatriates) to one of 17 countries. What do people do to feel settled after an international relocation? How do people learn about their new country? What do parents do to help their children relocate smoothly? What role does a moving company plan in this process?
 
Many Expatriates Many Voices
http://www.interchangeinstitute.org
A study of 101 accompanying spouses and partners who had recently moved to the US because of their spouse/partners' job, focusing on their reactions to Americans, what made a difference in their adjustment, and which services helped smooth their way.
 
Many Women Many Voices
http://www.interchangeinstitute.org/
A study of 194 women who moved to a new country primarily because of their husbands' jobs - what helped and what hurt their chances of adjusting smoothly to their new lives.
Top
 
 
 
Checklists For Planning Your Move
 
Home InventoryHome Inventory
Jill Lengré
You know you are heading abroad: the date has been set. Now the fun part: preparing the move and paperwork. Most countries expect a list of the possessions that you will be shipping and the relocation company also must have list to organize the insurance on your move. So its time to make a home inventory ...

Read more...
     
Electric Power Around The World
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
This website summarizes information on the electrical systems in use in most countries of the world.
 
Relocation Planner
http://www.crownrelo.com/web/relo.nsf/relo.planner.htm
A relocation planner will help you determine the timeline of your move, from the date you start packing to the time your goods are delivered to your new home. It will ensure that you are given a clear idea of the length of time your relocation will take, as well as remind you of your responsibilities and important dates.
Top
 
 
 
International Health Insurance
 
Local Versus International Health InsuranceLocal Versus International Health Insurance
Andrew Apps,
Aetna Global Benefits
Expatriates moving to a new country will look to establish a fresh and local way of life: a new home, new friends, regional food and so on. A local healthcare policy would therefore appear to fit in well with this approach, and it's usually cheaper, but that's until the damage limitation factors start to hit home.

Read More ...
   
Abu Dhabi On His Own Abu Dhabi On His Own
Andrew Apps
There seems to be a growing trend for international companies to expect their employees to take on shorter-term assignments abroad which separate them from their partners and families. Usually it is still the woman who is left at home to worry: What if he gets sick or injured? How are we going to communicate with each other if he does? And how are we going to pay for it?

Read More ...
Peace of Mind for Your FamilyPeace of Mind for Your Family
Alison Massey
If you are living or working in a strange country with your family, especially with young children, you'll certainly not want to take risks with healthcare provision.

Read more...
   
What to Look for when Choosing International Health Insurance What to Look For When Choosing International Health Insurance
Alison Massey
If you live or work abroad, buying healthcare cover will be one of your first priorities. But, short of becoming a leading authority on the ins and outs of medical provision in your new country of residence, how do you make the right decisions about insurance for you and your family?

Read more...
Insurance for the Modern ExplorerInsurance For The Modern Explorer
Emilie Udell
Magellan set sail years before the idea of insurance was ever created, and never had the opportunity to benefit from this modern concept, but today you have a wide variety of choices in coverage to help you on your journey.

Read more...
   
Healthcare for the Family in Eastern EuropeHealthcare For The Family In Eastern Europe
Andrew Apps
As the EU expands eastwards a new confidence is emerging within the economies of Eastern Europe driven by a growing middle class. As a result countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are becoming sought after as second-home destinations and also seeing an influx of more and more expatriate workers from the UK and Western Europe. So how are the new immigrants served by the medical infrastructure?

Read more...
Street Smarts Equal Safety How to Not Be a Target for KidnappersStreet Smarts Equal Safety
Emilie Udell
The boogie man. Monsters under the bed. Things that go bump in the night. When you were young, there were plenty of things to fear. But you also knew a nightlight, a quick check under the bed, and some reassuring words from your parents were the right precautions to take to make sure you got a safe, uninterrupted night's sleep.

Read more...
     
Top
 
 
 
Returning Home
 
Re-entry Shock Re-Entry Shock
Robin Pascoe
Re-entry shock is simply the shock of being home. Abroad, you expect to feel foreign; you don't expect to when you come home.

Read more...
   
Reverse Culture Shock in the US: A Study of Expatriates and their Spouses/PartnersReverse Culture Shock In The US: A Study Of Expatriates And Their Spouses/Partners
Stephanie Thomason
Participate in a survey of reverse culture shock for US expatriates returning to the USA.

Read more...
Reverse Culture ShockReverse Culture Shock
Nicole Ross
Basically consists of feeling out of place in your own country, or experiencing a sense of disorientation. While everything is familiar, you feel different ...

Read more...
     
Top
 
 
 
Health & Wellbeing
 
Weight Loss SecretsWeight Loss Secrets
Vardit Kohn
To cover the whole topic of weight loss in just one article is like trying to tie together wet spaghetti - impossible. Being overweight usually has its roots deeply entrenched, which is why losing weight can be such a struggle. If you want to lose weight and keep it off for good, but don’t know how, read on for some new inspiration.
Read more...
     
 
Top
 
 
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