Halloween is just around the corner, with children in the U.S. preparing their costumes and dreaming of candy. The holiday is ubiquitous in the States, with stores preparing displays and treats as early as late August. When I moved abroad, I was sure that I would still be able to celebrate one of my favorite […] Continue reading… from Haunting Holidays
Recently I was talking with my sister about the condo for sale next to hers in a desirable major city location, and she mentioned overhearing a couple touring it say, “We just don’t think we would feel safe living across from the metro station.” For those in America, Greece, New Zealand, or one of the […] Continue reading… from Riding the Daily Rails
Nothing is more precious to a family than their children. Family issues are the number one reason for an assignment ending early, and several surveys have shown that children are the top reason for potential expatriates to refuse an international assignment altogether. The uncertainty of childcare and finding good schools can be major issues even […] Continue reading… from Taking Care of the Littlest Assignees
June is known for many things, including Pride, the equinox, and, at least in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, weddings. June gets its name from Juno, Roman goddess of marriage. In France, the summer season is for weddings, with 15% of all weddings taking place in June. According to Bridal Times, June1 is the […] Continue reading… from Here Comes the June Bride
Food is one of the greatest pleasures of life, and finding new and exciting dishes can be one of the best parts of an assignment. For those with dietary restrictions – religious or otherwise – or allergies, excitement can be clouded over whether local food is appropriate or safe. If there is a language barrier, […] Continue reading… from Food That Fits Your Lifestyle
A few decades ago business was nearly always done in a haze of smoke, with 65% of businessmen smoking through the 1960s, and almost no regulations limiting where cigarettes could be lit. Nowadays, car cigarette lighters have been replaced by USB ports and smoking on airplanes is long in the past. You may even live […] Continue reading… from Up in Smoke
While recently visiting a tourist site in Asheville, I happened to meet a man from Nepal. We got to chatting, and I mentioned that I had a friend who went to work in Nepal after working with me in Japan. He laughed and said when he was young he worked as a sherpa in the […] Continue reading… from The Value of Cultural Competence
Appropriate shopping behavior can vary between cultures, and learning the rules can be both fun and anxiety-inducing for assignees. In some countries, the vendor sets the price, with no exceptions. In others, such as is common in the Middle East and parts of Asia, a certain amount of haggling is expected. And in yet others, […] Continue reading… from Let’s Make a Deal
One of the smallest but very present irritations in a move abroad is wanting our comfort shows but not knowing how to access them or being transferred in the middle of the season of a favorite drama. For families moving with children who need their Bluey or Peppa Pig, not having their favorite screen pals […] Continue reading… from Binge-watching Around the World
