An Essential Skill for Thriving in a Globalized World Language is more than just a means of communication; it is an essential life skill that can shape career trajectories, deepen cultural understanding, and open doors to opportunities in a globalized world. Whether you are an aspiring career expat, a student studying abroad, or a career professional pursuing an international career, understanding the power of language can make all the difference. From building rapport and relationships in ...

There are options, choices, and flexibility! When it comes to moving abroad, there is no one size fits all. There are so many trends in the industry at the moment, and you see them and wonder which one fits you. That is a fair assessment based on who you are and your family’s needs. You need to assess what is happening and the best option for you. While I could provide a label for each option, I will share that I am choosing a different route. Each option has a definition so that you ...

Things US Citizens take for granted when venturing abroad Often, the questions I get are — ‘How did you survive living abroad this long?’ or ‘When are you coming back home?’ It seems these questions come at least once per month from family, friends, colleagues, or even clients. As a backdrop, I have lived abroad for twelve years out of the past fourteen years. All expat experiences are different and personal based on the purpose of the move and journey. The ...

Part Three — How to travel with your favorite kitchen beverage gadgets The kitchen is not just about food; it also provides us with beverages. In two previous stories, I shared handy cooking gadgets and multifunctional kitchen utensils. In this final article, I will focus on quenching your thirst while traveling. Building a community is a natural part of expat life or being a digital nomad. We often meet others over drinks, hot or cold. Connecting over beverages is not only fun ...

Donate, Spend, Exchange, Save or Pay it Forward — You choose As a traveler and expat, I use the local currency at my destination. It never fails that I have some unused notes or coins when I am ready to depart. In fact, I have about twenty (20) different currencies floating among my travel wallet these days. Some of these are keepsakes, while others I hope to use on a return trip to that location. We know that making the most of your travel experience often involves immersing yourself in ...

How to travel with your multifunctional kitchen utensils I have shared that I enjoy cooking and some of my previous traveling kitchen gadgets, and I am back to sharing more kitchen utensils for your travels. I love cooking. It is about the art and science of using temperatures, measurements, colors, and textures.  It is an education in creating tasty meals easily by sometimes combining seemingly odd ingredients. My most recent example was pureed pineapple and cucumber into pancake ...

Money, Friends, and Loneliness Are Manageable Challenges Going global has many upsides and can be quite exciting. The ability to live, work and explore another country and culture was often a dream years ago, but it’s becoming more commonplace today. However, there are challenges you might encounter when creating a globally mobile life and lifestyle for yourself or your family. I will acknowledge that some challenges may be similar while others will be different if you are a single and ...

How to travel with a few handy kitchen gadgets I have always enjoyed the aromas of the kitchen and more so when I am cooking. Cooking serves many purposes in my life. It is where I find creativity through herbs, spices, and flavors. I use my time chopping or stirring as a stress reliever. It is an opportunity to feed my body healthy meals or have a good time entertaining with my treats. So, no matter where I am in the world, my kitchen gadgets are an essential part of my life. Needless to say, ...

Four Common Disruptions and Five Ways to Keeping Moving Forward Sometimes, despite our thorough planning, preparations and intentions, the move to another country does not work out as expected or what you hoped it would be. For reasons beyond your control, the relocation can take an unexpected turn and have you headed to the airport and on the next flight!  Other times, the reason for leaving can simply be an intentional decision you made based on personal factors. Whatever the ...

Ways to Work in Academic or Student Administration in Other Countries Working abroad in higher education is not a new exploration, as faculty have been moving and working in other countries in their areas of expertise for decades. However, working in the administrative side of higher education in other countries has been rare because it typically requires fluency in the official language. Due to the nature of their duties, administration positions connect with local staff and support systems ...

Making your new location ‘home’ for the holidays Being in a new country before the holiday season can be overwhelming. Whether you have been in your new location for days, weeks, or months, I hope you can find ways to enjoy the season rather than just muddling through it. The holidays can seem long depending on your location. They can stretch for several months, from November to February, based on which holidays you celebrate or those commonly observed in your location. Regardless ...

Thankfulness by Giving to Others As you can expect, there is a privilege that accompanies living, working, and thriving in another country. That privilege often comes with both financial, emotional, professional, and physical well-being. One of the things I think is essential in our journeys from country to country is to contribute intentionally and personally to your environment — give back. As I am from the United States, I think about November and its major holiday at ...

Recognizing and Managing Impostor Syndrome while Moving Abroad Moving abroad can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but for many people, it can also be accompanied by feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and self-doubt. For some making this leap of faith, impostor syndrome can creep into your mindset and distract your planning. It may be true for those who experience impostor syndrome, a phenomenon where individuals feel like they are not good enough or don’t belong, despite having ...

Expat employment options for career professionals or freelancers to explore opportunities abroad In recent years, we’ve witnessed a noticeable shift in the way people work, and it has been accompanied by a fresh new perspective on the workspace and employment options. The pandemic was a catalyst that helped many employees and employers realize that work no longer needs to come in the form of a commute, cubicle, 9–5, rinse and repeat! Moreover, this has also fueled curiosity and ...

Why taking a career break is self-care In the world of higher education, a sabbatical is typically associated with faculty members. Tenured faculty take their sabbatical for up to a year; it is typically to conduct research, be a visiting professor at another school, or pursue something of interest within the academic career. Sabbaticals are not often given or associated with university administrators, even at the senior level of administration. Not only are they not often associated, but ...

Seven action steps for planning your career transition to another country As you contemplate your monthly, quarterly or yearly planning, have you been thinking about taking your career abroad? Guess what - it is always the right time to get started. Now is the perfect time to create a plan to follow your dream of becoming an expatriate (expat). I’m here to share seven personal career actions you can start now. We will use the upcoming weeks left in the year to do active planning toward your ...

Empowering aspiring globetrotters to try global mobility I’ve gone from being a full-time expat living and enjoying the comforts of home in one country to being on the ‘road’ in many countries. As such, my life has transformed significantly in the past three years. When I started this journey, I left Singapore in June 2019 with 34 boxes that went into storage for an unknown final destination. Amidst the global shipping challenge of the pandemic, in June 2020, those 34 boxes ...

Your Health Matters — Are you Insured? Your health is important, and having Expat health insurance helps you protect it. We are here to provide you with various considerations to help you plan for Expat health insurance needs. Before taking the plunge to move to a new country, it’s important to have a roadmap for all aspects of your new life abroad. Every country or location has the potential for interruptions or disaster. Also, if you wait until you are sick, your business ...

Simple steps to help ease expat anxiety and build community Relocating to a new country, be it a city or countryside, can be an emotional rollercoaster, even if you have moved a few times before solo, with a partner, or as a family. The first week or two can be fun as you learn about your new location. In fact, it might start to feel like you are on vacation. However, as time moves on, you will need to do the actual work of settling in and making this new place your home. Having solo traveled, ...

Expat Transition becomes easier with these initial steps As you pack your suitcase, manage your emotions of leaving, and say your goodbyes, you also need to think practically about your new location. Whether you are a new expat or a long-term nomad, there are four crucial activities you should complete as part of your move-abroad preparation. Previously shared Four Tips for Moving Abroad but now that you have taken the leap, here are four activities you need to do or think about ...