What can I do for you today?
Do you want to know a little background about how the expat relo(cation) process is organized?
- 6 successful expatriate characteristics
- Expat Wives
- Expatriate Services & Training
- Expatriate Candidate Selection
Would you like to learn about general cultural differences?
- Cultural Lessons of Avatar
- International standards of Service & Tipping
- 5 Tips for understanding culture
- Personality Type and Culture
- The Peach and the Coconut
Are you interested in raising your self-awareness?
- Don’t use your brain if you don’t have to
- On Being True to Yourself
- Tending your Garden
- How to reduce your blind spots
- My truth and Elizabeth Gilbert
Also, here’s a list of links you might find helpful as you are planning your international projects. Please be advised that I am in no way responsible for their respective contents, nor am I affiliated with the sources listed below or receive any incentive for linking to them. As always, your comments and additions are highly appreciated.
Moving
International Movers – with “practical guides” on how to pick your mover, supplies, customs, etc.
FEDEMAC – Federation of European Moving Associations
Travel
World Travel Guide – Travel articles, discount airfare, adventure travel, family vacations
Lonely Planet – Destinations, community forum, hotels, travel services
Expedia – Airfare, hotels, vacation packages
Rumbo – European & Latin American travel services
Hotels – Reviews, booking, deals
Europa – Gateway to the European Union
Wonderland Euro Tours – Personalized travel planning
Language
Rosetta Stone -Creative language learning, endangered language programs
Leo – Online dictionary English/French/Spanish/Italian/Chinese to German
Free online language courses – article on about.com by Jamie Littlefield
Word2Word – collection of links for various languages
Culture
SIETAR – Society for Intercultural Education, Training And Research
ICI – Intercultural Communication Institute
Intercultural Press – Publishing
Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner Consulting – Premier researchers for country and business culture
Cultural Dimensions – Geert Hofstede
Legal
EISIL – Electronic Information System for International Law
ASIL – The American Society of International Law
INTPV – International Passport and Visa
US Department of State – Applications and Forms
Fragomen – International attorneys, immigration
Article: Top 10 Tips for Expats, by Jeremy Morley, International Family Law
Financial
IRS – Internal Revenue Services, Taxes in the USA
Bundeszentralamt für Steuern – Taxes in Germany
Hacienda – Taxes in Spain
Information Forums/Blogs
Expat Blog – The Leading Veterans Site
Expat Exchange – International Living and International Jobs
Expat Women – Helping Expat Women living overseas, expat blogs
EAS – Expat Advisory Services Asia
Expat Angels – Making life abroad better
FEM – Forum for Expatriate Management
How to Germany – Extensive information on living, legal, language and much more
Internations – Connecting global minds
FSYF – Foreign Service Youth and their Families
NMFA – National Military Family Association
Talesmag – Tales from a small planet
The German Blog – keeping Germans in the D/FW Metroplex up to date
Trailing Spouse Network – Forum hosted by the Ausmerican
Transitions abroad – Portal for work, study, cultural travel and living overseas
TCK World – Third Culture Kids
YFA – Youth for Understanding
Conversion
XE – Currency
Online Conversion – Height, weight, length, angles, etc.
World Electric Guide – Power, outlet, adaptor, and plugs information
Products & Services
Berlitz – Language and cross-cultural training
Bosson Consulting – Global mobility program expert, strategic consulting
Building the Life You Want LLC – Supporting expatriates and their families to make the most of their personal international transition experience
Cartus – Global relocation management, language, cross-cultural training, corporate and government services
Living abroad – Interactive tools, culture compass
Place 2 Place Relo – Global Relocation Services
RW3 – Online cultural tools
Simply Alive World – Gorgeous accessories and stylish lifestyle equipment not just for expats by fabulous TCK Doni Ambrosine
Spectra Plus – Global Real Estate Services
Takt Global Partners, Inc – Global Real Estate Services
UK Work Permits – Corporate and individual immigration services
Schools / Education
ASH – The American School of The Hague
DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Dallas International School – Mission Laïque Française
IPP – International Professors Project
K-12 – Find and compare public, private and charter schools
NAFSA – Association of International Educators
US Dept. of State – Office of overseas schools
US Dept. of State – Overseas Special Education Reference Guide
SIT – World learning, study abroad
Pets
Air Animal – Pet movers since 1977
Canine Carriers – Domestic and international pet relocation since 1972
Foreignborn – Bringing animals into the US
Pet Travel Scheme – Bringing animals into the UK
Health / Insurance
Clements – Global Insurance Solutions
Expat Financial – Global financial security
HealthCare International – International Health Insurance
International Citizens – International Health Insurance
ihi Bupa – International Health and Travel Insurance
Groups / Organizations
FIGT – Families in Global Transition
ICC – International Chamber of Commerce
ICC – Internet Chamber of Commerce
Global Charity Jobs – International Charity and NGO recruitment website
UN -United Nations – It’s your world
World Chambers Network – Where the world does business
Worldwide ERC – Employee Relocation Council
WHO – World Health Organization
UNESCO -United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Visa HQ – Links to embassies world-wide
Communication
Skype – Voice over IP, free Internet phone and video
Facebook – connect with friends and family
Twitter – Answering the question, “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less
Toastmasters International – Helping men and women become confident speakers and leaders
Hulu – Watch your favorite (american) TV shows online
wwi TV – World-wide internet TV (UK, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands)
Books
by Craig Storti – Cross Cultural Communication
by Robin Pascoe – The Expat Expert
by Jo Parfitt – Writer, book-cook, Expat
The Expert Expat – Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman
Riding the Waves of Culture – Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner
Coaching across Cultures – Philippe Rosinski
Interkulturelle Kommunikation – Helga Losche
A Portable Identity – Debra Bryson and Charise Hoge
International Business News
Starting your own business
SBA – Small Business Administration, search for your local Small Business Development Center!
SCORE – Small Business Mentoring and Training
International Small Business Center – Support with import and export questions
