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.

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

• Compare International Health Insurance around the globe and get free quotes online.
• Browse Thousands of Serviced Apartments in around 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 questions about moving worldwide.
• Search the largest selection of International Schools in Japan.

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

• Join the Network for Expats on Linkedin.com 25,000 expatriate managers & recruiters
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Expat in Manhattan: A Christmas Tipping Dilemma

Tipping is known to be paying a gratuity for services rendered. It is common to restaurants, hotels and establishment that offer services through attendants. This practice has been overly solicited during Christmas, as it is known to be the season of giving. But when exaggeratedly asked, it feels like a catch-22 to people who are not use to it, mostly expats.

“’Among the Christmas cards left by the postman this week was a white envelope entitled Holiday Gratuities. Inside was a letter reminding me of the management’s attitude to tipping the doormen, handymen and superintendent in the high-rise apartment building in which I live in Manhattan.’

Essential fixtures in the lives of many white-collar, professional New Yorkers like me, these workers make living in the city a whole lot easier and the services they offer – holding open doors, receiving packages, controlling the entry of visitors and doing odd jobs – are hard to give up, once experienced. ‘We would like to reassure you that our employees are appropriately compensated for the services they provide to our residents,’ the letter read. ‘However, if in your opinion there are specific employees that have provided services above and beyond your expectations, and you feel a gratuity is deserved, you may provide one on a voluntary basis to either the individual employee or to an employee fund.’

The seven-paragraph letter went on to say that there would be a list of staff names available for perusal at the concierge’s desk, and there would be a locked box in which to place gratuities – cash only, no cheques.

This is my first Christmas for many years in Manhattan, but I had been expecting this. If your building has a doorman, the cost of ancillary staff services is included in the rent or monthly service charge but you still have to dig into your wallet for their year-end tips – or wonder why, when you call to report a plumbing problem, they’re awfully slow to respond.”

Read More From The Telegraph

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

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

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
• Expats Can Follow Us On Twitter List

Ask us questions, Contact us today

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Saving for Retirement

Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire due to physical inabilities.

But as we we enjoy life in our youth, are we making the right decisions for the future? It seems that very few people actually save for fulfilling twilight years.

“More than half of the over 55s who earn between £20,000 and £30,000 a year have saved less than £30,000 for their retirement, which would give them around £165 a month to live on, according to research from insurance giant Aviva.

Clive Bolton, the ‘at retirement’ director for Aviva, said: ‘Babyboomers have enjoyed rising house prices and final salary pension schemes, but unfortunately many may still struggle to fund the retirement lifestyle they desire. People should think about how they want to spend their days, and how much this will cost.

This research also opens up an interesting debate around who should fund retirement. There may be an expectation for younger generations to foot the bill in one way or another.’”

Read More From The Telegraph

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
• Expats Can Follow Us On Twitter List

Ask us questions, Contact us today

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New Expat Destinations

Aside from the cheap flights to these scenic tropical islands, there’s the sun and fun combo and a rich culture that make Mauritius and Lanzarote a magnet for British holidaymakers, travelers and expats.

“With the world travel industry looking to the future, and not just to popular holiday destinations but areas, which are likely to increase in attraction for those wanting second homes, two islands have been particularly highlighted. Whilst both Mauritius and Lanzarote are already vastly popular with those looking for island holidays, both destinations are believed to start attracting their fair share of expats over the coming years.

After London’s travel fair brought together tourism leaders from across the world, there has been much speculation on which areas of the world will become hotspots of the future. And whilst many locations may see demand for flights rocket due to holiday tourism, both the Canary Islands and Mauritius could be set to see an influx of British residents.”

Read More From www.justtheflight.co.uk

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
• Expats Can Follow Us On Twitter List

Ask us questions, Contact us today

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Tips to Save Money on Your International Health Insurance

 In the uncertainty of the current economic times, many expatriates are looking to make savings wherever they can. As premiums continue to rise, international health insurance is one area where there are savings to be made, without excluding the essentials Read the full article from ExpatFinder.com health insurance tips and advice  

 

Five Top Tips on Renting a House Overseas

  When you relocate overseas, you have two housing options; one is to buy a property and the other is to rent. If your overseas assignment is for the short-term, or you are not sure how long are you are staying in your foreign location, then purchasing a house may not be in your best interest, unless you do so for investment purposes. Renting is therefore popular with expatriates but the fact that renting is less of a commitment than a home purchase doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest time to make sure you rent the right house first time round. Read the full article from ExpatFinder.com housing & real estate tips and advice  

 

A Guide to Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance Cover

 
If the nightmare scenario of a medical emergency overseas becomes a reality, reassurance is more than welcome that you and your family will receive the best medical care possible. Including emergency evacuations and repatriation in your international health insurance package can make sure this is the case. Read the full article from ExpatFinder.com health insurance tips and advice

 

Don’t forget to join the professional Expat Network on Linkedin – Already more than 15,000 expats, recruiting managers and global mobility specialists.

 

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It is sometimes necessary to get support from professionals of the relocation industry. ExpatFinder currently helps you find some of those service providers via information search. The second version of your expat search engine will allow you easily find & compare local and global service providersfor expats. In the meantime here is a look at the principal professional networks of relocation professionals. 

Whether it is provided by your company in your relocation package or if you choose to subscribe for a service directly, the relocation companies are here to help you on various aspects of the expatriation process.

The relocation companies can offer packaged services as well as tailor made solutions. The scope of service can usually include:

Pre-departure planning
Visa/work permit Administration
Property Management
Pre-Move Orientation, School search, Area orientation
Home Finding and Settling-in Services
Ongoing Destination Support
Language and Cross-Cultural Training
Career Partner Assistance
Expatriate Expense Management
Repatriation Assistance
 
Here is a non exclusive list of the principle networks of relocation professionals:

 

• The Association of Belgian Relocation Agents (ABRA)

ABRA is a non-profit making organization representing the interests of its members in the Belgian relocation market.  ABRA, with its international heart, strives for professionalism and quality in order to protect the relocation business and its clients.

 Full details and ABRA members can be found here.

 

• The Association of relocation professionals (ARP)

”The ARP is a non-profit making company run by a Council elected from the membership body.

Full details and ARP members can be found here.

 

• The European Relocation Association (EuRA)

“EuRA is the professional body for relocation service providers across Europe.  Our members provide corporate and private relocation services across Europe and worldwide and are bound to the highest professional standards by our rules of conduct.”
For full details of EuRA and its members, go here

 

• Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC)

“CERC is Canada’s only organization devoted to advancing the interests and issues for workforce mobility.”

Full details about CERC can be found here.

 

• The Relocation network

The Relocation Network was founded with the aim of providing a forum to support a wide cross-section of specialist relocation service providers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Full details and Relocation Network members can be found here.

 

• Swiss Association of Relocation Agents (SARA)

”SARA was formed in 2004 to represent the Swiss Relocation Industry. Their mission statement is: “To spread knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding corporate mobility and to enhance industry performance standards by communication and education”
Full details and SARA members can be found here.

 

• Syndicat National des professionnels de la relocation et de la mobilité (SNPRM)

”The SNPRM was formed in 1995 to represent the Relocation Industry in France.” 

 Full details and list of members of the SNPRM can be found online.

 

• The International Relocation Associates (TIRA)

“TIRA’s global network of service providers are established relocation specialists and can provide expert relocation assistance to you and your expatriates locally as well as on a global basis.”

Full details and TIRA members can be found here.

 

• US Employee Relocation Council (ERC)

“Worldwide ERC ® was founded in 1964 to help relocation professionals overcome the challenges of U.S. domestic and global workforce mobility”

Full details and Worldwide ERC ® members can be found here.

 

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• Search and collect general information about the country you are relocating to. You will find great resources in expat guides, city guides and local websites. You can learn about the culture, the language and religion. You can also search information regarding your next working environment: working hours, holidays, business etiquette etc.



• Find the information regarding the administrative requirements before arriving (work and residence permits, dog or pet import regulations,  house rental contracts…)

 

• What to bring, what to leave behind?  Define your needs: clothing, food, baby stuff, search to see if your regular products will be available in your new country.

 

• Narrow your search:

-Add the name of the city, name of the district or neighborhood in the search box

By narrowing by location, you will be able to define better the needs of expats in the same area.

-Select the search options and related terms offered in the right side of the search results page:

• Share the experience:

Expat Bloggers have been there before you, so take advantage of the blog search by searching real life events, weekend getaways, food and restaurants reviews and more from real life experiences in your next destination.

 

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