A lot of blogs featured "things I feel thankful for" types of posts just before Thanksgiving, which was yesterday here in the US. I didn't join them because, frankly, I haven't been feeling I had much to be thankful for recently. However, spending Thanksgiving Day with my husband's family, and a … [Read more...] about How Thanksgiving Reminded Me to be Thankful
culture
Are You Running Toward. . . or Running Away?
Recently it seems as though I've been stumbling across all sorts of reasons to expatriate -- or not -- from all sorts of different sources. All the reasons, though, fall into one of two categories: running away from something running toward something In general, the coaches I've been in touch with … [Read more...] about Are You Running Toward. . . or Running Away?
Totally Unprepared for the French
Guest Post by Catherine Perkins When I left the United States in February for a two month stay in France, I was very prepared. I had a bag loaded with French language resources (a dictionary, a phrase book, a traveler's guide), and some new cold-weather clothing. Living in Florida my entire … [Read more...] about Totally Unprepared for the French
Do I Need to Learn the Language II
Yes! Learning the language is vital to the success of your move. That is, if you’re a cultural expat. As a cultural expat, you are motivated to bring your culture, or a specific aspect of it, to the people you’re living among (missionary expat), or you are a student of the new culture. Either … [Read more...] about Do I Need to Learn the Language II
Student Expats
Students Today’s cultural students come in all shapes and sizes. Of course, there are the ubiquitous junior-year-abroad 20-ish college kids. But the students category of cultural expat includes so much more. A student can be one who takes a formal course of study at a college or a university, or … [Read more...] about Student Expats
What Kind of Expat Are You?
What kinds of people leave hearth and home for life in another country? Here are a few categories I've come up with. I'm sure that many expats fit into more than one. I know I do! Let me know if you have a category I've missed. [ad#Google Adsense-2] Expats By Necessity We won't dwell on the first … [Read more...] about What Kind of Expat Are You?