December often brings travel or the anticipation of new assignments starting at the beginning of the year. Many people find themselves looking for temporary housing, be it something more family-friendly than a traditional hotel or a few months of fully furnished lodging. In the early 2000s, Airbnb disrupted the hotel scene. Individuals could turn their […] Continue reading… from Short Term Rentals, Strict Terms & Regulations
The Internet has made us a far more connected world. We have access to all the knowledge we could want, and almost every form of entertainment at our fingertips. Those from countries with an unrestricted Internet may take this freedom for granted, expecting to be able to open any site or app with a click. […] Continue reading… from Beware of Online Restrictions
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
