Many cultures celebrate a new year at different times, and in different ways. But for many families throughout the globe, there is also another sort of new year to observe — the school year!

No matter what month your school year begins, here are some New Year resolutions to consider:

1. Update the information kept on file at your child’s school.

It’s amazing what can change in twelve months. Health records, work telephone numbers, and email addresses are just several of the items to which a school office might need to refer, and might also be out-of-date.

2. Check old obligations against new schedules.

Sometimes, we must make appointments weeks or even months in advance of knowing if they will coincide with team practice, drama rehearsals, or field trips. Taking a few moments to review your calendar now can catch conflicts before they happen later.

3. Evaluate regular services.

Grocery delivery, telecommunications packages, musical instrument rental, transportation services, and even mobile telephone plans may offer more for less than they did a year ago. Compare and make changes, if necessary.

4. Welcome back successful habits.

Think about what has worked during the school year in the past. A central location for coats and bags? A particular time of day for organizing papers or completing homework? Selecting clothes for the next day the evening before? When possible, restart your best practices before the first day.

5. As with other types of new year, find opportunities to have fun.

A new school year can mean many changes and is often stressful. Even simple activities, such as meals, board games, or outdoor activities, can help ease transitions and allow family members to celebrate!

Living Abroad subscribers will find more destination-specific tips and information for families in these International Relocation Center topics: Choosing a school, Family matters, and Country resources.

When we wrote about telecommuting a few years ago, a study by Ipsos had produced the figure that one in five employees around the globe works remotely on a frequent basis.

More recent results by Swiss-based workspace company IWG determined that 50% of the 15,000 global professionals they surveyed work remotely at least 2.5 days each week.

There are other studies and lots of data out there, all pointing to a clear trend: Flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly important to both employers and employees.

Some basic benefits include:

-Employees are more productive (fewer distractions and drains on time)
-Companies save money on real estate costs
-Employees save money on gas, wardrobe and clothing care, food (coffee, lunches out) etc.
-Employees report less stress, higher morale and lower absenteeism than in-office counterparts
-Companies experience less turnover than those with less flexibility – as much as 50% less
-Flex cultures attract millennials, with more than two-thirds of them stating a remote option positively influences their interest in a company

Telecommuting is not without its challenges, of course. Cybersecurity is a concern, especially in smaller companies that don’t have protocols or safety systems in place. Mental health is increasingly on employers’ minds, as about one-fifth of remote employees experience loneliness.

Companies embracing flexible work environments are adapting and innovating in order to keep talent while boosting their bottom line. And as this business culture becomes more the norm than the exception, it’s a benefit many job-seekers can take advantage of to strike a good work/life balance.

For further discussion on telecommuting in our original article, click here.

Business travel is an important means for companies to expand their businesses, build relationships, and grow brand awareness around the world.  Statistics show that face-to face meetings are 34 times more powerful than remote, text-based conversations, according to an article in the Harvard Business Review.  The GBTA convention in Chicago next week is the perfect opportunity for some face time. What will we all be focused on?

First let’s start with a few facts:

Where are people headed?  Asia is now the top destination for business travel, followed by North America and Continental Europe.  The U.S. and China are the world’s biggest business travel spenders.

Who is traveling?  Millennials are now in the 23-38 age group and they make up the largest group of business travelers.  As they move up the ladder into senior positions, they are changing the way things are done, from integrating technology to combining business with leisure. Almost two-thirds of corporate travelers use their mobile phones to complete bookings.  Millennial business travelers consider business travel to be a perk of the job, and many see it as a status symbol.

What are their needs?  Global travelers are most interested in access to high-speed Internet and media packages as part of selecting accommodations.  They are also seeking privacy, a kitchen, and space to make it feel like a home away from home.  A large percentage of travelers prefer to use one app to plan, book, and track their business travels.

What are corporations focused on?  The cost is always the primary focus, but security for the traveler and safe accommodations are top priorities.  Companies advise their employees on potential risks in certain areas and often work closely with their security partners.

What’s the best way for business travelers to be prepared? The best thing a business traveler can do is learn about the country they will be traveling to.  They should learn a little bit about the social customs, business etiquette, transportation options, how to get connected, visas, customs requirements, holidays, health, security, money and banking, and food options.

What can we learn at GBTA this year?  Sessions range from updates on risk management, technology trends, work/life balance, and accommodation options to best practices, and global business travel trends through 2023.

If you will be attending the GBTA Convention, please stop by Living Abroad’s Booth #3533, and introduce yourself!  We would be happy to show you how our country information can support your travel program and result is a healthy bottom line, and happier and safer business travelers.

In Finland, summer solstice celebrations are important to Finns and are celebrated with midsummer festivals. The Finnish flag is flown everywhere with silver birch and ______ serving as decorations.

a.  Roses

b.  Lily-of-the-valley

c.  Lilacs

d.  Dahlias

Travelers to New Zealand who currently do not need to obtain a visa for their stays may soon be subject to new immigration requirements.

Nationals of visa waiver countries and transit visa waiver countries may be required to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) in order to enter New Zealand on or after October 1, 2019. The NZeTA application will be available in July 2019, via website (fee: NZ$12) and smartphone app (fee: NZ$9).

Nationals of visa waiver countries may also be required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, or IVL. The IVL, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, is “a way for travellers to contribute directly to the tourism infrastructure they use and to help protect and enhance the natural environment they will enjoy during their stay in New Zealand.” The IVL is anticipated to cost NZ$35, and will be charged to travelers in the same transaction as the NZeTA.

Here are some steps you can take to determine how new immigration policy developments in a destination country may affect short term business travel:

• Most important: Consult your company’s immigration and compliance resources as early in advance of travel as possible.
• Bookmark government resources. New Zealand has created an informative webpage for the NZeTA and the IVL.
• Sign up for updates and notifications when the option is available — in this particular case, you’ll find it at the hyperlinked word “Register,” on the NZeTA/IVL information page.
• Review related official information. For example, the New Zealand government also provides lists of visa waiverand transit visa waiver 

Early awareness of potential immigration and compliance issues, as well as other travel challenges, can dramatically affect cost, employee satisfaction, and assignment success.

Written by Erin Fitzgerald, GMS, Content Manager