Citlalli has been living and working as a biodiversity scientist in Ecuador since October 2015. After completing her master’s and PhD studies in the UK, Citlalli moved to Ecuador to work on a conservation project she had developed during her PhD research at the University of Sussex.

Flo, a self-deprecating, determined, and focused woman from Kenya, moved to Rwanda in 2015 due to her partner’s work. Two years later, she founded Kigali Farmers´ and Artisans´ Market, which bridges the gap between MSMEs and consumers, and maximises businesses’ reach through different platforms.

Camilla is from Vienna, Austria, and for the past 2,5 years, she has been living with her husband and three children (six, five, and four months old) near Bilbao in the north of Spain. Camilla started her expatriation journey when she was 18 — first as an undergraduate student in the UK and then as a graduate student and professional in Spain. She met her Spanish husband upon repatriating to Austria, and ever since, she has been following the trail of his international career, which has taken them to Munich, Madrid, Vienna, and now Bilbao.

Barbara is a two-times expat and a forever devotee of travelling and getting out of her comfort zone. The first time she became an expat was in 2006 when she followed the love of her life and now husband to Brazil, São Paulo.

At Expat.com we strive for diversity, unbiased information, and a justice world for all human beings. We believe that the more we come out of our comfort zones and we travel, the closer we get to our goal. This article is about an amazing expat woman who is an inspiration for all of us.

Amid the pandemic, some expats remained in their host country, and others chose to or had to return home. A unique category is expats whose visit to their home country coincided with the Covid-19 outbreak, and their travel plans are hampered by governmental restrictions and personal concerns.

When — a few weeks ago — I saw the tasteful “Coming Soon!” placard outside house number 17 on KG 439 Street, I knew something worth waiting for is being cooked behind the green gate. Vision 2020 in Gacuriro is merely a residential area, with everything that makes a suburban neighbourhood truly great: a school, a clinic, green lawns, safety, friendly neighbours, and now — its very own café. Mocha Café is not just a sign of the times that the coffee industry in Kigali is booming; it’s the destiny

In spite of Greece’s lingering financial crisis and high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth, the country has remained an attractive destination for expats who are looking for low cost of living, sunshine, and a booming startup ecosystem. The cradle of Western civilisation, Greece is a large source of history and culture. Once you overcome the initial culture shock, you won’t be able to resist Greek people’s passion for introducing you to the Greek way of life; before you know it you will be celebrating name days, and you will be hugging and kissing your friends when you meet them.

Expatriation started as a necessity when I was looking to progress with my academic studies of a Master’s degree in England. However, it was earlier in my life, when I began travelling for leisure, that I figured out moving countries is a lifestyle I would like to revel in. Since 2007, I have lived and worked in five countries in Europe, Africa, and East Asia, and I am currently preparing for my next expatriation project. I may find it easier to board a plane and start all over again than deciding what to have for dinner, but the journey is not anxiety and sorrow-free. So, if you are interested in how a life away from everything you take for granted is, please don’t ask me (or any other like-minded expat for that matter) any of the following questions — here’s why.

I have always been very thoughtful about the things I own, and how I organise them in my space — whether it’s the tiny studio in South Korea, the shared-flat in Ghana, or the two-floor house in Mauritius. I love change, and I see moving to a different country as an opportunity to reset my reality and rediscover myself; living abroad helps me look at things with fresh eyes and get rid of preconceptions. Packing is a big part of the whole moving process, and when you have to limit your belongings down to two suitcases, you reconsider the value of possessions. Here’s how I learned to put my life on the scale and hit the 23 kg target.

Research shows that spending time by the ocean is beneficial both for our physical and mental health. Some expats are consciously in search of seaside destinations to fill their life with joy and fresh sea air while others accidentally find themselves on the shore, only to ask how on earth were they living before without the breathtaking sea view. Today, on World Oceans Day, Expat.com celebrates the future of our oceans with a few points which commemorate the best aspects of expat life by the ocean.

If you have been an expat in the same country for a long time, or have been moving to countries that use the same official language, it’s likely that you master at least two languages — your mother tongue and the language that is spoken in your host country — and you easily switch between them.

Xian, an Australian-Chinese-Filipina, amateur photographer, badminton player, and swimmer among others, moved to the island nation of Timor-Leste three and a half years ago to continue her wonderful work on gender equality and the prevention of violence against women. Xian has absolutely adapted to the unique style of island living, and shares with Expat.com some tips on making the most of your expat experience in Timor-Leste — spoiler alert: food and snorkelling included.

Sila, from Nigeria and Turkey, is now living and working in Rwanda after she agreed to accept a relocation job offer. In the heart of Africa, and home to the continent's largest rainforest with a third of gorillas' world population, Rwanda is one of the proudest nations regarding conservation of natural habitats. When not teaching the principles of leadership to talented, pan-African students, Sila is enjoying the variety of restaurants and the convenience of moto rides, which can take you anywhere in the country's capital city, Kigali. However, there are three things that Sila needs more time to adapt to — living without caring housemates, the lack of spicy food, and the calmness of the city.

Before completing her Master's in Non Profit Administration in San Francisco, Kelly was working in both the corporate and government sectors of Singapore, her home country. Two years ago, what was supposed to be a short-term visit to her husband's mother land, Mauritius, opened their eyes to the flaws of the local food system. Ever since, they have focused on developing a sustainable farming model in Mauritius with international applicability. Kelly speaks to Expat.com about the unexpected change in the course of her life and how she feels about Mauritius, her new home.

Whether you become an expat because you crave change, build an international career, or follow your spouse, expatriation comes with certain, and sometimes somewhat unexpected challenges. To find out how likely you are to cherish your new life abroad or how much of a devout expat you are, see how many qualities and skills you can check off our list. But, don’t despair if you are not acing the test because, as long as it does your heart good, you can learn some of these skills.

In a fast-evolving job market, where new sectors are emerging every few years, employers need to consider how they will upgrade the skills of their staff, so that they can respond to the new demands. Employees, on the other hand, must find ways to keep up with the changes in the workplace. Investing in e-learning comes with many benefits for both sides — fewer hours and costs of training new staff, and more engaged and responsible employees. Stephen Somerville, Director of Business Development at FutureLearn, talks to Expat.com about the importance of e-learning for businesses and employees, and the current trends in e-learning.

You have opened Google maps, and you are scrolling the globe, up and down, left and right, looking for an answer to “what’s next?” If you are ready to expatriate and you are keen on taking up a new challenge, we are giving you five excellent reasons to consider Cape Town — South Africa’s Mother City.

Alana Moceri is a university professor at Universidad Europea in Madrid. Being an American expat in Spain, her areas of expertise cover politics and communication in the US, the European Union, and Spain. Alana is also passionate about public diplomacy, public opinion, and activism. She shares with Expat.com her expat experience in Spain, and — no matter how hard we tried — we couldn't resist including some politics in our conversation.

During the past 30 years Perry Yeatman has built the career and life of her dreams. She has worked with world leaders, such as Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton. She has been a senior executive at Unilever and Kraft Foods, and has led transformational projects, from Russia’s economic reform to developing the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture. In doing so, she was travelling the world, while making a difference and being a wife and mother. Today she helps others to do the same, and talks to Expat.com about how focus, determination, hard work, and the support of others can help anyone fulfil their career and life dreams.