Easy Expat on French TV - Direct8: Facile, la vie

easyexpat | 22 May, 2008 18:09

Easy Expat was today on French TV (Direct8) a couple of minutes in the show Facile, la vie.

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Mobile careers are going places

siddlobo | 20 May, 2008 18:17

Today’s increasingly mobile world has resulted in a growing need for mobile careers. People demand more flexibility and want to work at their own time, in their own space - this could be at home or by the beach. People also want to maximize time with family, beat traffic and travel. More and more people find themselves moving across countries and finding temporary homes in different parts of the world. Never before has the world been so small or flat. And never before has there been so much opportunity to pursue a career without having to be present at your office. All this combined with managers looking for high quality final output without concerning themselves with details like where and when the work was done make mobile careers an extremely interesting option for many.

The internet of course has been a key driver for this growth in mobility. It has absolutely revolutionised the way we work, live and play in today’s world. Let’s take a look at some of the key advances that have made mobile careers a reality.

Access to information: No points for guessing this one. Information is king and the internet puts it in the hands of everyone. This has leveled the playing ground immensely. Whether you’re in New York or an island off Thailand, you have access to the same information.

Connectivity: The internet keeps you connected to news, friends, family and job opportunities. Social networks, emails, e-zines and e-newsletters are a quick and cheap way to keep you in the loop.

Free internet call sites: In the past, a big barrier to distance working was the steep costs of telecommunication. This is a problem of the past with cheap or even free internet tools like Skype and VoIP Buster. These programs have made communicating cost-effective, efficient and easy.

Information storing: With the internet, we don’t need to lug huge documents and folders with us anymore. People now can opt to store information on the internet and access it from any computer in the world with access to the internet. 

PDA: With the rising number of PDA’s, people have access to their emails and professional contacts at anytime, anywhere. Why access information from the office when you can do it from wherever you are?

Some drawbacks

It’s not all rosy in the mobile world. There are some drawbacks to think of as well. Key among them is the lack of personal contact. As much as telecommunications and the internet have bridged gaps between the continents, sometimes nothing beats a good, old fashioned face-to-face meeting. This holds especially true in handling difficult situations, complicated negotiations or at the start of a business relationship.

The other drawback of the mobile world is our dependence on technology. If there’s a glitch in the system, lack of access to the server etc, work literally comes to a halt. And lastly, mobile careers do come with a certain degree of isolation. The coffee machine chats are replaced by online chats. This does lower the degree of closeness amongst colleagues.

Careers for the mobile

So if you’re still one of the many who think the advantages outnumber the drawbacks, read on to find out some of the main careers that thrive in this mobile world.

Freelance writing: From copywriting to travel writing, food writing to direct mailers, website writing to marketing materials, guide books to novels, the world of freelance writing has gone mobile. Just click on any freelance writing website (and there are tons of them) and you can see listings of writers from just about every part of the world. This is a job you can do sitting in your favourite chair at home or while you’re in a plane a few thousand feet off the ground. Just pick your favourite subjects, start building a relationship with the relevant editors and type away.

Photography: From your backyard to the world’s wonders, if you’ve got an eye for photography, there’s hardly been a better time than now to horne it. Thanks to the digital world and the number of photo websites, you can post and sell your pictures online without having to set foot in any office.

Design: Designers with a network of contacts can also go mobile in today’s world. Designers can take a proper briefing either via phone or mail and send back digital versions of their design without ever having to be in an office.

Online marketing: If you run a website or an online merchandising site, chances are you can work from anywhere as long as you are connected with your customers and suppliers.

When you come to think of it, just about any job that requires more of mental and thinking skills can be done irrespective of your location. In fact, more and more start-ups are starting to run virtual offices where team members stay connected via PDA’s and work out of their laptops. Meetings and brainstorms can be arranged out of cafés and hotels with wifi connection and there is increasingly very little need for an actual physical office space.

So if you’re thinking of going mobile, the time is now, the place is anywhere.  

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Frequent Traveler: flying to the UK or how to avoid new T5 at Heathrow

easyexpat | 14 May, 2008 17:02

If you ask frequent travellers going to or departing from London what is their biggest advice, they will often answer: avoid Heathrow. The UK main hub, one of the busiest airport in the world, has had a long reputation for its problems, delays, congestion, baggage lost and unfriendly for most passengers. However a big hope was lifted a few month ago by the opening of the new Terminal 5 on March, 27, dedicated to British Airways sole occupier of the new building. The result was a shameful fiasco with tens of thousands of baggage lost and the nightmare for travellers lasting days as BA and the airport owner BAA were trying to restablish the situation.

However, BAA was confident. At the Queen's inauguration, the new facility was described as the "state-of-the-art" that was going to end the worsening experience of passengers in Heathrow. Heathrow's owner, BAA, said it expected the new baggage system at T5 to work "perfectly". It was needed as the competition is reinforcing. The new treaty agreement of open skies between the US and UK is likely to trigger a new price war as the market of transatlantic flights deregulates.

According to the Guardian, "a price war is already under way due to the intense competition between the three carriers that operate the Heathrow to New York route: BA, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. However, US competitors Continental, Delta and Northwest are also among the carriers launching new Heathrow to New York routes. A total of 7,112 extra seats and 39 new flights a week will be added to the route between London's airports and New York, a rise of 6% on last year."

Therefore, as the British operator is still struggling to sort out the situation, it is wise to avoid Heathrow and to try to find out other ways around London. You can use other airlines than BA and fly from T1, 2, 3, 4 (and some BA flights for short-hauls, Singapore, Australia and Bangkok have not moved to T5 due to the chao - you can find which plane is departing from where on ba.com/Which terminal). And you can also view other operating companies in Stansted and Gatwick airport here.

Gatwick, in South London, offers a wide range of flights to Europe (BA to France, Budget airlines to Italy, Denmark...), Middle East (Emirates to Dubai... ), Asia and North America. The facility is much better (albeit the difficulty due to specific security mesures in UK airports) and there is a fast train linking the airport to London Victoria in 30 minutes (or a normal train in 40 minutes). Stansted, east,  is mainly used for budget airlines (such as Ryan Air or Germanwings) but NYC is served by American Airlines. Lutton, north of London, serves also more than 30 international destination including Africa. Eventually you can also use City Airport, close to Canary Wharf (the new business center in London) but with smaller airplanes and short-hauls.

When transiting, avoid London and especially Heathrow and prefer hubs such as Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. In order to find more information on flights around the world, updated daily, you should subscribe to www.oagflights.com (annual £99 - €130).

Have a good trip !  

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British Expats - Documentary for Brits living abroad: No Place Like Home, ITV1

easyexpat | 07 May, 2008 11:46

ITV1 is currently working on the Second Series of "No Place Like Home", a documentary looking at British Expats who are thinking about returning home. It's a straightforward, feel-good programme, simply investigating the dilemma that many expats face, and will hopefully be of help to anyone who is considering going back to the UK.

They are looking to start filming in June and the show will be on air in November 2008 on ITV.

 

 

Fever Media, the company in charge of the programme, has sent us this announcement: 

If the answer is YES to any of these questions then we want you!

We are making a documentary series about expats called ‘No Place Like Home?’  We are keen to hear from British families who are living abroad, but are now thinking about returning permanently to Britain.

Perhaps you miss your family and friends, or could you be longing for the simple things? The sense of humour, the warm beer & the proper cuppa!

BUT...You're also concerned that you might regret leaving all the good things about living abroad if you do go back to the UK.

We are offering you the opportunity to explore the reality of coming home by flying you back to the UK to ‘test-drive’ life in Britain.

This fact-finding visit will give you the opportunity to see loved ones but also equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or return to the UK for good.

You’ll be flown back to the UK and given the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ the reality of living in the UK.

Relocation expert Catherine Gee will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or come home for good.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact Kaaj Mehta as soon as possible by email: kaajal.mehta @fevermedia.co.uk
Or call +44 (0) 207 428 5755

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Survival Tips for the Expat Spouse

siddlobo | 06 May, 2008 13:16

You’ve moved into your new house, gone shopping, explored the town center, visited the library, marveled at the architecture and then that nagging question looms up again, “What do I do now?” You’re friendless, jobless, clueless. But not to worry, things aren’t that hopeless. Here’s what you can do to keep your sanity and maybe even your career on the right track!

Start with the language: You’ll feel extremely proud of yourself in your first week in your new home country. This might have something to do with the fact that you can utter your own version of ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ in the local language. Unfortunately there’s more to it than those two precious words. If you plan to stay in your new country for more than a year, join a language course. The sooner you learn the language, the faster you get on with life. Most companies sponsor private courses for expatriate spouses. This however depends on the contract, company and the country you’re living in. If it’s not part of the deal, check your options on the internet. Most language schools tend to be in centrally located areas. Take a stroll in the city centre and you’re bound to stumble upon one of them.

The benefits of the language course are twofold. Not only do you actually start communicating in the local language and feeling more at home, you also meet other spouses/partners in the same situation as you. This normally forms the basis of a friendship circle that lasts much longer than your stay in the country.

Volunteer work: Though it doesn’t pay any bills, it certainly keeps you out of the straight jacket! Most countries should have volunteer opportunities available and this is a great way to soft launch yourself into the ‘working’ world. When picking your volunteering job, see if you can angle for something related to what you used to do at home. E.g. if you have a marketing background and you’re volunteering at an orphanage, see if you can help create flyers for them or help them update their website or add an English section to it. This way, you’ll still be able to keep in touch with what you used to do.

Volunteering is also a fantastic opportunity to brush up your language skills. Think of it this way, you help them with a good cause and they return the favour by letting you practice their language. Plus, there’s always the big benefit of actually meeting humans other than your partner. And last but definitely not the least, it does feel good when you’re doing something good. Below is a link to an International Volunteer Organisation but you can be sure to find more in your new country. http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest.html 

Freelance: The internet is incredible and it’s a fantastic solution for expatriate spouses. For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is an obvious option. Tons of websites these days also offer a number of opportunities for designers, consultants, technical writers etc. Set time aside to sort through the jobs and pick the ones you think you’re best suited for. This could be a great way to keep your portfolio and experience growing. A word of advice… these things could take time. Trick is to be patient and learn from your experience. Depending on your area of expertise, you may or may not require a license to be a freelancer. For more information, you can contact your local Chamber of Commerce. One site to check out for freelance opportunities is www.guru.com

Study: Always wanted to study but didn’t have the time? This break could be the perfect time to tuck away a degree or pursue that MBA. You could opt to do a distance course, full time course or short-term courses. Also make sure you check scholarship opportunities. You never know if you might be eligible for one. And if that’s not enough, here’s another good reason to use this break to study – tax benefits. An interesting way to save while you learn.

Develop a new skill: For an expatriate spouse, survival is not only of the fittest but also of the most flexible. Explore new options, dig out old hobbies and see if you can convert them into careers, take a short course in whatever interests you and start something small. Watch the local market for opportunities and fill them with your skills.

English: If all else fails, there’s always something you can do with English. From translation jobs to freelance writing (like this article) to teaching English, pick what you’re comfortable with, join a quick course to brush up on your skills (if you need it) and go for it!

It’s never easy starting out in a new country. But, if you’re open to new ideas, flexible, enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile, there’s always something. Even for the expat spouse!

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