Expat Books to Read

Before you head off to your next expat assignment, it may be worth your while to read a bit about the country you’ll be living in. While travel or culture guides may be helpful, they can never give a person an in depth look into the mentality and lifestyle of the citizens or expats who have made the country their home. Fortunately, there is a wealth of actual literature from other expats and local authors in nearly every country a bookworm expat can check out to get the full experience.

Here you can find a few lists of books to check out from lists on Amazon in many countries. You can look for the books at your local book shop, library, or order them right online. If you don’t see your country listed, don’t despair! Simply do a search through the lists here and you should be able to find just what you’re looking for.

United States

American Diaries

Through America’s Heartland

Canada

List of books by mostly Canadian writers and expat Canadians

Mexico

Mexico as seen by British writers

Argentina

Everything from cook books to travel guides to history and Argentine literature

Panama

Recommended reading for anyone interested in Panama or anyone relocating

Spain

Tales by Spanish writers, travel guides and music to get you into the cheerful Spanish spirit

France

Top five books before you move to France

Books from and about France

Books for people moving to France

Ireland

Books from every county in Ireland

Russia

Books from and about Russia

Turkey

A list of history books and books by Turkish authors

Books on Turkish life

China

Essential books for expats in China

Another China expat collection

Books on any Chinese subject you can imagine

Vietnam

Books offering a greater understanding of Vietnam

Thailand

A specialized expat list for those in Thailand

Singapore

A great Singapore-centric reading list

Japan

Specialized for women expats living in Japan

Africa (general)

Expat life in a variety of African countries

Expats writing about Africa

Asia (general)

Books that center on an Asian theme and may be useful for expats

Global expat (general)

An expat reading list

Expat stories, wisdom and advice

Outstanding world and travel literature

Great travel books for around the world

While reading books by other expats and local writers can be beneficial to anyone living or planning to live in another country, by taking the time to read literature directly related to your new home you are exposing yourself more deeply to the culture than you’d otherwise be able to. We recommend everyone spend some time catching up on these and other country specific books to get the full immersion of living abroad.

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Living like a star: Brits love ‘American Pie’

With the fad of American television shows and movies in the UK, it is no wonder that locals believe that many Americans live a life right out of the movies. The lifestyle of a star has been offered to these Americans living as expats on United Kingdom without any of the drawbacks of actual stardom.

“When coming to London I was warned of a few American stereotypes: We are closed-minded, we are loud (guilty) and we are easy. But what I didn’t expect when coming to London was that the British view college-aged Americans in another way - as celebrities.

I have learned of differences between the American and British cultures. I’ve learned that I can’t understand English humor - to me the British version of ‘The Office’ is as slow as the nightly news - and I’ve learned the English seem to glorify American comedies. I realized this when I came across ‘Friends,’ ‘Beverly Hills, 90210′ and ‘Glee’ while flipping through the television one night. Also, I found that a number of young English people would mention Las Vegas as a top destination to visit in America. The reason? ‘The Hangover.’

The British fascination with American television and movies was solidified for me one night when I was talking to my friend Tim, a student from Newcastle who is interning in London for the semester. We were talking about ‘The O.C.,’ a show that often comes up when I mention I’m from Southern California. He asked me if the show was anything like my life at home and I told him it did remind me somewhat of Santa Barbara.”

Read More The GW Hatchet

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More American Expatriates Give Up Citizenship

It is a sad outcome for Expats in US to give up permanent residence and citizenship due to the high amount of taxes. Even Americans abroad have the same thinking on this issue. This progressing aggravation is said to be the main cause of the matter.

“What we have seen is a substantial change in mentality among the overseas community in the past two years,” said Jackie Bugnion, director of American Citizens Abroad, an advocacy group based in Geneva. “Before, no one would dare mention to other Americans that they were even thinking of renouncing their U.S. nationality. Now, it is an openly discussed issue.”

The Federal Register, the government publication that records such decisions, shows that 502 expatriates gave up their U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status in the last quarter of 2009. That is a tiny portion of the 5.2 million Americans estimated by the State Department to be living abroad.

Still, 502 was the largest quarterly figure in years, more than twice the total for all of 2008, and it looms larger, given how agonizing the decision can be. There were 235 renunciations in 2008 and 743 last year. Waiting periods to meet with consular officers to formalize renunciations have grown.

Frustrations over tax and banking questions, not political considerations, appear to be the main drivers of the surge. Expat advocates say that as it becomes more difficult for Americans to live and work abroad, it will become harder for American companies to compete.

American expats have long complained that the United States is the only industrialized country to tax citizens on income earned abroad, even when they are taxed in their country of residence, though they are allowed to exclude their first $91,400 in foreign-earned income.

Read More From The New York Times

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Money Equates Social Exclusion

Everyone needs something; and the level of need vary among individuals. An expat automatically bids goodbye to social inclusion by leaving his homeland to work abroad for a bigger pay. It’s a tough road, especially for those working in the Gulf Countries, but achieving financial stability is not far from their reach.

“Most expatriates in the Gulf say they work extremely long and hard. But the financial benefits can be considerable, with mostly tax-free income and generous allowances for schooling, housing, transport, medical insurance and travel to and from home. (The latter is generally once a year but, depending on company and rank, can be as much as four times a year.)”

Read More From the Financial Times

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ExpatFinder.com is here for you during your move or while living abroad:

• Compare International Health Insurance around the world and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apartments overseas.
• Get the best rates when moving money or making regular payments to another country from Expat Foreign Exchange Companies.
• Find answers to all your questions about moving abroad.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools around the globe.

Read more tips and advice to help you with life abroad. Join the Expat Communities!

• Join the Network for Expats on Linkedin.com 23,000 expatriate managers & recruiters
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Blogging’s Cure for the Expat Blues

If you’re feeling the homesick blues, blog it. If you have a laptop, keep in touch with just about everyone. Create is a special piece of cyberspace to voice your opinions, share a piece of your thoughts, photos and memoirs. And for some American expats, blogging keeps the blues away and eases depression.

“Imagine moving from a midsize U.S. city to a tiny island off the coast of Sweden. In winter, Tjorn, population 20,000, is lucky to get five hours of daylight. What’s more, in this Scandinavian country, neighbors think nothing of dropping in unannounced, even at 11 p.m. And these were just a few of the trials for American Tracey Marshall, who moved there in 2003 with her Swedish boyfriend. It was enough to make her want to just lock herself in a room and…blog.”

Read More From www.businessweek.com

ExpatFinder.com is here for you during your move or while living abroad:

• Compare International Health Insurance anywhere in the world and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apartments in around the globe.
• Get the best rates when moving money or making regular payments to another country from Expat Foreign Exchange Companies.
• Find answers to all your questions about moving abroad.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools around the world.

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In-Flight Food Make Over

In-flight food has never been popular to air travelers especially if you are seated in the economy section. However, updates on the in-flight menu and food ordering process might change passengers’ notion of the bland and cheap-tasting in-flight food. “Air Canada has introduced healthy food options, like vegetarian sandwiches and yogurt parfaits, and Alaska Airlines has a new healthy snack pack. American Airlines is working with Boston Market. JetBlue is about to start selling food on select long-haul flights. Some carriers are expected to offer combination meals and other promotions similar to those available at fast-food restaurants.”

Read more from The New York Times

ExpatFinder.com is here for you during your move or while living abroad:

• Compare International Health Insurance and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apts Throughout the World.
• Get the best rates when moving money or making regular payments to another country from Expat Foreign Exchange Companies.
• Find answers to all your moving to a new country.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools.

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Expat Surf Destination: Todos Santos, Mexico

What used to be an “empty beach”, the beach side of Todos Santos in Mexico has been getting some attention from surfers, travelers and international artists. “A wisp of a town near the south end of the Baja peninsula, Todos Santos may not be quite sure whether it’s more surf hideaway or art haven. But the hundreds of expatriates who have moved in over the past couple of decades know what they don’t want it to be.”

Read more from The New York Times

US Health Reforms

US Health Care system is about to be overhauled. Although it will take time to see the results, many believe that there will still be a large number of Americans going abroad to seek treatment, some even think this number might increase. “The long-awaited United States healthcare reform package became law last week. Asian hospitals treating American medical travelers will have to wait longer to see whether the bill will have a significant impact on their businesses, but US insurers will feel the reforms’ impact more quickly, and that could lead them to look more closely at international options.”

Read More from Asia Times Online

ExpatFinder.com is here for you during your move or while living abroad:

• Compare International Health Insurance and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apts Throughout the World.
• Get the best rates when moving money or making regular payments to another country from Expat Foreign Exchange Companies.
• Find answers to all your moving to a new country.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools.

Read more tips and advice for tools to help you with life abroad and life abroad. Join the Expat Communities!

• Join the Network for Expats on Linkedin.com 20,000 expatriate managers & recruiters
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A Friendlier Seoul

South Korea’s capital, Seoul, and it’s country’s Ministry of Justice intensified its advocacy of becoming a “global” city as it addressed concerns of “Koreans not being friendly to foreigners.”
“As of February, about 253,000 expatriates are registered in Seoul City and 5,100 foreigners have invested in the city. The Justice Ministry suggested that Seoul City should work together with it on expatriate-related issues, in February.”

Read more from The Korea Times

ExpatFinder.com is here for you during your move or while living abroad:

• Compare International Health Insurance and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apts Throughout the World.
• Get the best rates when moving money or making regular payments to another country from Expat Foreign Exchange Companies.
• Find answers to all your moving to a new country.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools.

Read more tips and advice for tools to help you with life abroad and life abroad. Join the Expat Communities!

• Join the Network for Expats on Linkedin.com 20,000 expatriate managers & recruiters
• Expats Can Follow Us On Twitter List

Ask us questions, Contact us today!

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Singapore, Next Best Place For Expat Kids

Maybe it’s thanks to the society, Singapore is no doubt one of the best integrated multicultural locations on the planet.  Perhaps it’s because of the hospitality Singaporeans show to expats.  Regardless of why, Singapore has found itself ranked as 2nd place destination in the world for expat children.

“Nine in 10 expat parents living in Singapore felt they had moved to a safer, more childcare-friendly place for their youngsters. Three in four said education standards were better than in their home country (global average 56 percent), while 70 percent felt childcare had improved since moving here (global average 50 percent).”

Moving to another country is already stressful enough, and expats know to take help where they can get it.  And with such high rankings of happy expatriate children living in Singapore, it may become a new kind of hub for families.