PRE-DEPARTURE:Considering an Assignment, Financial & Legal Preparation, Moving Abroad with Children, Health Concerns, Finding Employment Overseas, Driving, Moving Your Pet, What to Bring, International Assignee Life.

OVERVIEW:Life in the Country: geography, government, history; Climate: average temperatures; The Culture: people, ethnic groups, customs; Language, Religion, Public Holidays, Embassies in Country.

VISA & PERMITSPassports, visas, resident permits and work permits: length of stay, photos, where to get them; Registration Requirements: identity cards, local police/embassy registration; Driving Licenses: home-country licenses accepted, testing, regulations, insurance; Customs Documentation: household goods, motor vehicles and pets.

HOUSING:The Search: newspapers, real estate agents; Securing the Property, Moving In, Availability; apartments, townhouses (condos), free-standing houses; Neighborhoods: locations, public transportation access; Parking; Temporary Housing; Voltage Use; Utilities; Domestic Help: availability, services available and estimated fees.

DOING BUSINESS:Business Customs & Etiquette: formality; addressing a colleague, use of titles/names: punctuality; locals, foreign nationals; language; business cards: importance, use and procedures; Business Dress: appearance for men and women; Meetings; Entertaining; Gift Giving: importance, use and procedures; Business Hours; Business Services.

EVERYDAY LIFE:Media: newspapers, magazines; Television: stations, cable-access, TV licenses, VCRs, system; Radio: stations, language programming, frequencies; Telephones: situation/access to, how to get one, costs, monthly charges, payment procedures; Public Telephones: how to use them, where are they, acceptable coins, card availability, international/direct dialing, telephone directories, country codes/city codes; Postal Services: services provided (air mail, etc.,) parcels, cost of service; location, hours of operation; Pets: regulation for customs, things to be aware of.

GETTING AROUND:Public Transportation: Subways: names, how to use them, locations, costs, hours of operation; Taxis: what they look like, how can they be found, payment: meters, prepayment, cost; restrictions; Trains: location, where do they go, cost, tickets, hours of operation; Buses: stops, costs, how to pay, hours of operation; Airport Transportation: buses, shuttles, trains, subways and taxis; Driving: road conditions, regulations: laws, speed limits, signs, driving licenses, registration and insurance.

FINANCIAL ISSUES:Currency; Banking System: types of accounts, how to open, necessary VISA & PERMITS, checks, debit cards, ATMs: availability, cards; Banks: hours of operation, location; Local Taxation: Tax Requirements for Living in the Country: residents and non-residents; Sources of Taxable and Non-Taxable Income: domestic and foreign; Deductions/Tax Relief; Tax Treaties; Tax Structures; Other Taxes: local, social security, inheritance; Payment of Taxes: due date, submitting returns.

HEALTH CARE:Services: Availability of services, situation in the country, quality of care, payment procedures; Infectious Disease/Vaccinations: types needed, when to get them; Host-Country Program: is there one, requirements, can international assignees belong, what does it include; Health Insurance; Emergency Numbers; Hospitals/Clinics in Country: availability, capacity, cleanliness and care; Other health concerns: Pregnancy and Childbirth; Drinking Water.

SECURITY:Before Leaving, Upon Arrival, General Safety Tips, Additional Security Measures, Safety Tips for Women, Security in Country.

EDUCATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:Choosing a Curriculum, What to Look for in a School, Choosing a School System, National School System, Public Schools, Private Schools, Higher Education, Special Education, Adult Education.

SCHOOLS:List of International Schools with Contact Information: street address, telephone/fax numbers, mailing address; Staff Information: Contacts and heads, ratios; School Information: grade levels, enrollment information, capacity, tuition, fees, school year, type of school, accreditations, curriculum/physical plant.

BUSINESS TRAVEL:Overview, The Culture, Doing Business, Dress, Tipping, Social Customs, Business Hours, Banking Services, Public Holidays, Public Telephones, Postal Services, Airport Information, Public Transportation, Tourist Information, Health Care, Dining, Local Cuisine, Entertainment/Shopping, Security, Travel Web Sites, Passports & Visas: types of visas, visa application requirements, visa application form.

RELATED WEBSITES:Links to country-specific websites: arts, consulates and embassies, culture, destination information, entertainment, government, hotels, news, travel, weather, etc. Additionally, more 300 links to international web resources are included.