Chocolat, 2000, starring Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp, is a heartwarming movie dealing with expat issues on several levels. Vianne Rocher is the daughter of a French pharmacist and a South American woman whose people are missionaries. Not religious missionaries, but, following the north wind, Chitza and her people spread the good news about chocolate and bring cacao-based remedies to people in need. Following in her mother's footsteps, Vianne becomes a missionary expat who uses …
Cuenca, Ecuador Named Best Retirement Haven
International Living has just named Cuenca, Ecador its Best Retirement Haven for 2009. The cover story, in the September issue of the magazine, outlines why Cuenca beat out the competition as the best place for expat retirees. They describe the city, Ecuador's third largest, as "a place of old world beauty." The colonial city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobbled streets and gorgeous examples of colonial Spanish architecture. It's also inexpensive, with monthly costs for a couple to live …
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What Kind of Expat Is She?
Margarita Gokun Silver recently posted her three top reasons for becoming an expat. It sounds to me as though she's a good example of a Student/ Adventurer! What do you think? Three Reasons to Become an Expatriate by Margarita Gokun Silver Growing up I never had an opportunity to travel and see the world. I was born in a country that didn’t let its people go abroad and thus I was effectively cut off from anything that lay beyond the borders of my homeland. Naturally, as it is with all human …
Expat Books: Martin Chuzzlewit
Martin Chuzzlewit is not one of Charles Dickens' best-known novels, but it's always been one of my favorites because of the wonderful expat section. Martin Chuzzlewit was published in 1842, following by a few years the author's first visit to the United States. Dickens' description of the US is witty, satiric, and scathing in its depiction of national follies. …
Doing Business Abroad
If your overseas move will include doing business, the World Bank has just published a list that might help you narrow your search. According to their annual Doing Business report, the countries most favorable to starting a small- to medium-sized business are: Singapore New Zealand United States Hong Kong Denmark United Kingdom Ireland Canada Australia Norway Obviously, ease of starting a business is not the only criterion for choosing where in the world to live, but if you have years of your …
First Impressions – China
Desi Downey is the author of the book NiHowdy, her recently published account of her six years in China as a trailing spouse. We appreciate Desi sharing her first impression of her adopted country. Scroll down for a link to purchase the book. Neon. Lots and lots of neon. That is one of the first things I remember about China. When I was presented with the opportunity to live and work in China I jumped at the chance, even though I was both terrified and thrilled. And maybe just a little …