Lifestyle

Here's where we've collected all our advice on staying sane and healthy while moving overseas, and after getting there!

Why Brits are moving abroad: Research by the UK's Institute for Public Policy Research shows that a strong pound and booming house prices are helping Brits live their dream of moving overseas - and that most of us don't leave because the country's gone to the dogs.
MOVE System for Living Abroad: "Let me tell you one thing I believe: we're living at a time of unprecedented opportunity. Never before has it been more possible to start a new life in another country." Simon Payn of the Living Abroad Report explains the MOVE system to help you start your own new life abroad.
Culture Shock: "Whether moving across the world or across the country, culture shock presents one of the most unique and complex transitions we can face in our lives. As well as relocating, sojourners are also faced with career, family, social and even language transitions. Culture shock is associated with stress, anxiety, confusion and feelings of being lost or out of place..."
GenXpat - book review: "There's plenty of evidence around to suggest that more people than ever before are seeking to earn their livelihoods in a country other than the one they've grown up in." Dave reviews Canadian cross-cultural trainer Margaret Malewski's guide to becoming an expat for young professionals: "GenXpat".
Negotiation Across Cultural Boundaries: "Over two-thirds of the effectiveness of negotiation is determined by non-verbal communication. Gestures and facial expressions can communicate diverse emotions and attitudes. They are, however, often misleading due to the marked cultural differences in the use and interpretation of nonverbal cues." Read Professor Manie Spoersma's guide on how to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings.
Relocation Checklist: "Moving day is getting closer! Before you leave, there are so many things to be taken care of. You're worried about forgetting something? Well, don't worry! For your serenity and peace of mind, Directmoving� has put together a detailed checklist..."
Help Me Help My Child: Moving overseas with children can be stressful for child and parent alike. British Expat is glad to offer help, through the kind co-operation of Ruth Coppard of HelpMeHelpMyChild.com. You can get in touch with Ruth about your problems through our pages.
Expat Kids - Empower Them: "The migrating season has returned upon us, the typical time of the year when questions are asked around the kitchen table: "Do we want to take on this assignment?" Be it that this major step in one's life needs careful consideration in any case - in these times and in particular this year we need to approach the issues of international mobility with even more care..."
Iraq - The Health Risks: Dr Charlie Easmon describes some of the health issues facing expats living and working in Iraq
Sensible Drinking: "I receive a lot of questions about a lot of topics, but a common connection often emerges: alcohol. Most of us enjoy a drink but many of us don't understand or realise how much it has become woven into our lives. The great majority don't have "a problem", and are able to take pleasure from the relaxing, sociable feel a few drinks can give us." An article on sensible drinking by Nick Edmunds, Scottish GP
Life For a Life: "One of the sad facts of life is that one day you will not be around. Unless you have it written into your will, the likelihood is that your mortal remains will stay in the country of your demise. Suppose you could find a wonderful way of returning the ashes of a loved one to the UK for interment and at the same time contribute to the environment and local charities? Suppose also that your ashes could one day be returned to the UK and interred with your loved one?" Peter Forrester of UK charity Life For a Life explains how you can have a living memorial at "home" after you're gone...
Writing Love Letters to Life: "...if you are so lucky as to be a scrapbooker, you take your memories with you as you leave home, and you approach each new adventure with new appreciation because at the very least it may yield the best scrapbook page (or layout) of your life." Joanna Campbell Slan explains how keeping a scrapbook can bring new joys and consolations to expat life.
Six Predictions for 2006: "The wisest people usually don't make predictions - probably because they know that trying to figure out what's going to happen in the future is a fool's game. But some interesting trends in the "living abroad" market right now are likely to continue in 2006. And if you know what they are, you are in the best position to capitalise on them." Simon Payn of the Living Abroad Report takes a look at what 2006 holds for present and would-be expats.
Emigrate 2004: "Well. I left home at 4.30 this morning and drove 220 miles through torrential rain and howling winds to Sandown Racecourse. The sight that greeted me told me one thing straight away: there are a hell of a lot of people who want to get out of the UK to anywhere else but here! "