Living

Want to feel at home in another country, whether you’re there for a weekend, a year, or a lifetime? This guide to living abroad is for you.

Relocating to a new country is not a tough decision for those who have always wanted to live abroad. But moving from expat living to assimilating into a new country, a new culture, and a new bureaucracy may be the hardest challenge.

Few acts signal your undying support for your partner more than moving abroad as they chase a career goal. But it isn’t all about them, either; being an expat wife has plenty of perks.

Making the decision to move abroad on your own is a big step. It’s the perfect opportunity to go off and explore the world, boost your self-confidence, and make new friends. But it can also seem intimidating and scary at the same time. Don’t be put off by the difficulties; moving to a new country alone could be the best decision of your life.

Regardless of where you move, some expat problems always seem to pop up. But knowing how to overcome them will help you embrace your exciting new life.

The US has a futile obsession with race. But the reality of being a black woman abroad suggests that maybe we shouldn’t see blackness first.

From kisses and handshakes to bows and nose rubs, we explain greeting customs around the world to help you avoid faux pas as an expat.

The first weeks and months in a new country can be exciting yet disorienting as you adapt to your new life abroad. Here are 10 tips that will make moving to new country easier.

Are you looking to move abroad? Want to get a glitzy taste of what the expat life is like through the silver screen? Make some popcorn and watch a few of the essential movies for expats.

Leaving behind friends is one of the biggest downsides to moving abroad, but these tips will help your relationships survive the distance.

For an expat woman, moving abroad can be exciting but scary. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your adventure.

Should foreigners avoid joining expat bubbles and dive headlong into the local culture? Every expat ought to make every effort to integrate into their new home, but sometimes an expat friendship helps you cope with the difficulties of living abroad.

You hear about the plight of refugees around the world, but you don’t know how to help. Here’s how to do your part, globally and locally.

After the excitement fades from moving to a new country and starting a new life as an expat, it’s possible that you’ll feel homesick from time to time. There’s nothing wrong with homesickness, but it helps to know how to face it.

Whether it’s a workplace disagreement or the local sense of humor, a bout with culture shock can dampen your experience living abroad. What are the best culture shock management strategies and how can you apply them to your life abroad?

Growing up abroad opens many doors for the entire family, but it poses unique difficulties for third culture kids in particular.

The expat lifestyle can be challenging for families. But are the effects of living abroad good or bad? Read more about why everyone should consider moving their family abroad.

The stereotypes of the expat lifestyle usually involve plenty of after-work social activities, but the reality is that many expats are introverts. Being shy doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle while living abroad.

Today’s expat can connect with family and friends back home whenever they want, which helps stave off feelings of homesickness. But does constant contact with home increase isolation and make expats more lonely in the city that they live in?

Moving abroad to further your spouse’s career can be exciting, but it can cause anxiety for a male trailing spouse. Do you have your elevator speech ready for the dreaded question: “What do you do?”

Building and maintaining relationships with grandchildren can be difficult when they live abroad. But there are a number of ways that becoming a grandparent abroad can still be rewarding and enriching.

Raising bilingual families means a mother tongue and a mother’s tongue are not always the same language. Teaching children both languages preserves a part of family history and strengthens family unity.

When living abroad, you can expect plenty of house guests from back home. To make their visit run smoothly, here are some simple tips you can follow.

Couples have diverse reasons for wanting to adopt, but the end goal is the same: inviting a child into your family. International adoption can be a frustrating process with endless paperwork, waiting periods, and logistical requirements. How can prospective parents prepare themselves for international adoption?

Raising children is a tough job, especially if you’re an expat living abroad without the help of extended family. But if you hire an au pair, you can reclaim some of your time and provide an enriching experience for the whole family.

Living abroad can be a blast, but it’s difficult when friends and family are in crisis and you’re too far away. Helping friends from afar is still possible; you just have to be a bit more creative. How can you help?

Is your pet an at-risk breed to travel? Is your pet crate-trained? Pet relocation to another country means that owners must make an informed decision about whether or not their pets are ready for the trip.

Family rituals are key to maintaining a sense of identity and belonging, especially when you live abroad and away from the comforts of home.

Growing up abroad opens many doors for the entire family, but it poses unique difficulties for third culture kids in particular.

Few acts signal your undying support for your partner more than moving abroad as they chase a career goal. But it isn’t all about them, either; being an expat wife has plenty of perks.

Moving abroad with your family isn’t just a chance for you to further your career; it’s also a chance for the entire family to learn and grow in a new environment. Ensure that your family’s relocation is a positive experience for you, your partner, and your children.

From kisses and handshakes to bows and nose rubs, we explain greeting customs around the world to help you avoid faux pas as an expat.

From virtual museum tours to creative craft projects, these fun indoor activities for kids will keep your little ones entertained at home.

The 2024 European Parliament elections take place between 6 and 9 June 2024. Find out how to make your voice heard on important EU issues.

Three groups surged in the 2019 European Parliament election, breaking a 40-year stranglehold on power and setting the stage for more inclusive decision-making.

Did you know Americans living abroad can vote by absentee ballot? Learn more about the simple process, including its forms and deadlines.

Flea markets are a treasure trove of vintage items for your home and wardrobe, but haggling with sellers can be a bit too much of a rush if you don’t know what you’re doing. Learn more about how to bargain with merchants at Europe’s flea markets.

Most people understand that as soon as you start earning money, you should start saving. Saving money effectively can make a huge difference when it comes to achieving investment goals.

With international streaming services that offer access to your favorite TV programs from your home country around the world, living abroad has never been easier.

Wherever you live, these simple tips will help you reduce your daily plastic usage and contribute towards tackling the plastic waste crisis.

Europeans have vastly different languages of love when it comes to public displays of affection. What are the social norms for public and private intimacy where you live?

Being a world citizen isn’t a rejection of local values and culture, but it can come at a cost for some relationships. Rather than thriving in a local environment alone, Yvonne Salt’s research shows that many international couples do better by staying connected to an international lifestyle.

From tortured martyrs and Roman debauchery to medieval lovebirds and modern traditions, discover the true meaning of Valentine’s Day.

Hop on board and buckle up for the roller coaster of expat relationships. The realities of dating abroad are more difficult than they might first seem.

We explore the origins of the wedding ring and how it came to be made and worn in different cultures and religions throughout the world.

Learn how to make your love last the distance with these simple yet effective tips for couples sharing a long-distance relationship.

Discover the most LGBT-friendly countries to relocate to, because being able to express who you are should be a normal right.

The dating game is hard enough, even when you know the rules. How is dating in Europe when you don’t know how the game is played? Here’s a guide to expat dating in Europe.

Learn how to navigate the dating pool in your new home country as we reveal the truth behind those amusing cultural stereotypes.

What happens when the expat dream ends in despair and frustration with a divorce abroad? If your marriage breaks down, the prospects can be daunting if you live in another country.

Living abroad is beneficial for a career, but what if it destroys your marriage? For British couples abroad, English divorce law may apply.

You’re an expat and you’ve been dating a local for some time, so the moment has come to finally meet your partner’s family. How can you make a good impression while meeting the parents when you don’t share a common language or culture?

Divorce is rarely easy for any side, but it can feel more daunting getting back into the dating world as an expat.

Dating as an expat has its own set of challenges and perks. Luckily, anyone looking for a partner in an international setting has a plenty of options, including online dating.

Searching for a potential mate online can be intimidating no matter where you are. How can you prepare yourself when you wade into the world of digital dating while abroad? Consult these online dating tips for men.

Living abroad is rewarding, but getting into the dating scene is challenging if you don’t speak the local language. If you follow a few online dating tips for women, finding love as an expat can be a breeze.

Wandering into the world of online dating? First impressions are key, so you’ll need to make a good one. Catch the eye of a potential partner with essential tips for making an online dating profile.

Who says you have to live with the one you love? Couples living apart together are bucking tradition in favor of an option that strengthens their relationship.

The French flatter and the Brits are crass. So says a social anthropologist in this review on how to flirt across cultural boundaries in Europe.

We explain the different meanings of flowers around the globe to help you avoid faux pas when gifting them in your new home country.

Traveling by train in Europe can be as romantic and adventurous as it sounds. Make sure you heed these six tips to make train travel a blast, not a burden.

Before driving in Europe, make sure you know road rules and that you have adequate car insurance and documents.

Travel between mainland Europe and the British Isles has never been easier. If you’re sick of air travel, take the classic option: ferries to Europe.