Emerging countries to welcome many Europeans escaping the crisis
EasyExpat
01 March, 2012 11:01
In Athens, many shops are now closed in the city centre. In Dublin, you can see many advertisements showing Sale or Rent near Grafton Street. Spain has a record 20% unemployment. In Greece, the economic collapse has affected how many people are unemployed. With the different austerity budgets, people cannot even get a less qualified job. Many of the jobs requiring the fewest skills - taxis, drivers, barmaids - have already been taken by immigrants.
With the crisis in Europe (and the US), it is interesting to see that more and more people have decided to immigrate and leave their home country. They are looking for more comfortable life somewhere else and are attracted by countries recruiting and with positive economic growth.
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Understanding International Shipping & Finding a Reputable Mover
Erin
24 January, 2012 11:56
One of the most stressful aspects of moving is the physical act of actually moving all your stuff. Finding a company that can transport your goods safely, timely, and in your budget can be daunting. Here are some tips to understanding your shipping options and finding a reputable moving company.
Understand Pricing
The price of moving depends on the how much is being moved, the value of the goods, and the distance to be moved. If possible, ship only the truly indispensable items and try to buy when you arrive to abate some of the cost. (More)
Home for the Holidays... or Not
Erin
21 December, 2011 15:25
The holidays are an emotional time where people are nostalgic for "the old days", tradition is observed, and everyone thinks about going home for the holidays. For some of us, that's harder than it seems.
Being away from friends and family and the place you once called home is one of the most difficult aspects of being an expat. "Going home" may be impossible considering work, transportation costs, and attachment to your new home and traditions. (More)
Voting Rights After Moving Abroad
Erin
17 November, 2011 11:36
Even when you have taken on a new home, a new country, a new system - many expats still feel the responsibility to participate in the politics of the country they left. But this can be more complicated than it seems. Voting rights as an expat are not certain, and complicated and ever-changing laws concerning expat status make the situation more difficult.
For example, any British expatriate who has lived overseas exceeding fifteen years is no longer permitted to vote in any major elections. This may change as cabinet ministers are contemplating a change of either an extension or a complete removal of the time limit. (More)
Going Abroad as a Physically Disabled Person
Erin
21 June, 2011 12:24
It is estimated that more than 1 billion people in the world are living with some sort of
disability, about 15
percent of the world's population.
Being disabled offers all sorts of challenges that can be
exacerbated in unfamiliar situations. This is especially true for people
traveling or living abroad. Despite these difficulties, many people
with physical handicaps are able to travel and live anywhere they want.
Common Issues
Transportation is one of the most difficult problems to overcome. From uneven sidewalks, to the lack of elevators to inadequate seating, moving around a foreign country can be especially difficult.
Elevators are an invention of the developed world. Many places throughout the world can only be accessed by stairs.
Hotels and theaters may have limited or non-existent handicapped facilities.
Further alienation from the place and people you are traveling among. (More)
Bug on America's Green Card Lottery
Erin
10 June, 2011 09:25
Recently, one of the most coveted lottery winners were announced. The prize? Visas to the United States.
This announcement happens once a year, but this year was a bit different. A computer glitch allowed 22,000 people to be misinformed that they had won one of the valuable visas. The State Department is now in the awkward position of notifying these "winners" that they will not be welcome in the States.
To understand this situation, you first must understand the complicated Green Card System. (More)
New Border Controls in Europe?
Erin
19 May, 2011 15:26
Denmark moves to reinstate border control
On May 11th, Denmark announced that it was resuming checks along its borders with Germany and Sweden. This is a huge blow to the entire system as checks were suspended in 2001 when Denmark joined the Schengen agreement. The Schengen Area is supposed to operate like a single state for international travel with border controls for those traveling in and out of the area, but with no internal border controls. Implementing the Schengen rules meant eliminating border controls with other Schengen members while simultaneously strengthening border controls with non-member states. It is legal under current law to allow spot checks at the border, but systematic controls are not allowed. Whether a passport or an EU approved national identity card is required for identity checks depends on national rules and varies between countries.
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Expat Pets: Bringing along Fido
Erin
06 April, 2011 13:52
Moving abroad is scary. Moving abroad without your pet is terrifying.
Pets can offer a stronger sense of comfort than anything else; when your cat chooses to take a seat on your lap, the happy wag of the tail of your dog, the singing welcome of your canary. For many people a pet is not just a pet, they're family. Luckily, taking your pal abroad may be difficult, but with a little bit of planning (and some cash) it is entirely possible.
Be Prepared
The Worst Case Scenario
First, let's assuage fears of the worst case scenario. Some countries, especially island nations, may not allow import of animals. This is to prevent the introduction of disease, such as the much feared rabies. Rabies continues to kill over 55,000 people annually and the best prevention is to not allow the disease in.
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HEART Act- What it Costs to Stop being an American
Erin
09 February, 2011 09:57
Becoming an expat is one thing. Renouncing your citizenship is altogether different and much more difficult. The federal Register reports that 502 expatriates gave up their U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status in 2009. That is extremely small percentage of the estimated 5.2 million Americans living abroad. So what causes some people to renounce their citizenship and why is this movement growing?
It appears that frustrations over tax and banking questions are the primary concern for most of those who renounce. American expats complain about the United States taxing citizens income abroad, U.S. based banks closing expat accounts because they are not maintaining a US residence, and finally the HEART act's high cost has proved unpopular. (More)
INTERVIEW: We Like the World: a family around the world
EasyExpat
27 January, 2011 14:41
On Christmas day, when a lot of you were opening presents and sharing joy and thanks, Estelle, Héloïse and Frédéric Colas decided that they would offer a gift: 'We Like The World' is the name of the trip around the world that the Colas' family will do from July 2011 to June 2012, with one mission: to fund the building of a girls' school in Cambodia, thanks to the help
of their 80.000 facebook friends and friends of friends living around the
world.
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