Enjoy a Movable Retirement in Asia

Traditional Thai dancer

It’s affordable, safe, exciting, exotic, and has terrific health care. Last week I shared with you the top 20 picks for overseas retirement on a budget, according to Live and Invest Overseas. Six of the countries are located in southeast Asia, which is the cheapest region of the world right now. These countries are: China [...]

From Africa to Central America: 12 Expat Blogs Worth Watching

It’s been a while since I shared some of the expat-related blogs and websites I’ve been reading. Time for another roundup of interesting blogs by and about expats! Here are an even dozen for your enjoyment. Africa Africa Expat Wives, a UK citizen moves to Africa two days after her marriage, and raises a family [...]

An Antidote to Doom and Gloom

Occasionally I reprint articles here that appeared on other expat websites. This one struck a chord with me, and I hope it will with you too. Thanks to Live and Invest Overseas, where you can read the original in its entirety. “Vicki and I recently returned to Argentina after a six-month absence,” writes Intrepid Correspondent [...]

A Video Look at Some Expat Destinations

For a change of pace today, I thought I’d share with you some YouTube videos about expats and their new homes. A quick YouTube search of “expat” turns up over 4,000 videos. As you’d expect, some are good, some are terrible and most are in between. Some are slick, commercially produced efforts, most are not. [...]

A Hundred Million Miracles

flower_drum_song

A Review of the Movie Flower Drum Song “A hundred million miracles are happening every day.” That’s the opening song in the movie, Flower Drum Song, and the theme that sparkles throughout the entire musical. Flower Drum Song is also the story of cultures on collision courses with each other – East vs. West, traditional [...]

Where in the World Do Employees Get the Most Time Off?

beach

According to a survey by Mercer, it’s not who you might think! By looking at a country’s statutory annual leave, statutory holidays and public holidays, they compiled a list of where employees get the most time off. One caveat: it’s based on what an employee working a five-day week for 10 years is entitled to. [...]

End-of-Year Lists

eiffel tower new year

International Living’s annual Quality of Life Index. Every year, IL produces a Quality of Life index, which usually differs quite a bit from their recommendations on best places to retire. France has topped the list for several years running. France (was #1 last year as well) Australia (moved up from #5 in 2009) Switzerland (down [...]

First Impressions – China

Neon Lights in China

Desi Downey is the author of the book NiHowdy, her recently published account of her six years in China as a trailing spouse. We appreciate Desi sharing her first impression of her adopted country. Scroll down for a link to purchase the book.

Five Stages of Culture Shock

Decorated China Olympics car

I just finished reading a truly excellent article over at Expat Exchange. In Culture Shock: It’s the Little Things that Count in the Biggest Ways, author Desi Downey identifies five stages of culture shock:

  • Honeymoon/Tourist
  • Irritation-to-Anger
  • Rejection/Regression
  • Integration/Assimilation
  • Reverse or Reentry