Expat Tips

The decision to move abroad can be daunting. It's probably not for everyone, although I do personally believe everyone has something to gain from seeing the world from another vantage point.

It's incredible how many different ways there are to do things and there isn't a 'right' way to do them, despite what many tell you, which is why I left the questions open ended. In my experience those who never have ventured out of their comfort zone tend to be the loudest in letting you know their way is the best. Some things work for certain people and not for others.

I've frequently been asked about considerations and for tips on starting a life in another country. Many of these things apply to living anywhere in the world when moving internationally. I'm not an immigration lawyer or expert, so I don't have the answers to all of those questions, but this list may help in putting things into perspective.

If you're trying to immigrate to the United States check out Visa Journey or enter the green card lottery.

- Missing family, friends, foods, and certain aspects of 'home' is difficult on the emotional end. People say the will visit and don't, they may not understand your life, and they may fall off the face of the earth. Dealing with a substantial time change makes contacting people difficult and it's not uncommon to be the last to know the latest news among family and friends. Thankfully there is skype, instant messaging, emails, and snail mail. You'll quickly find out who remembers you. At times it can be disappointing, but make the effort to keep in touch with those you care about.

- Be prepared to never feel fully 'home' again. You'll most likely always miss someone or some thing once you've moved. This is probably true in moving city to city, but more noticeable when dealing with other cultures as well. There are high highs and low lows, so just prepare yourself for that. Or at least make yourself think you're prepared for that.

- It's not vacation every day. Sometimes things become common place and the excitement can wear off once the everyday life sets in. Believe it or not there are still chores to be done and bills to pay, occasionally the seemingly easy (hello, washing machine) has suddenly become difficult.

- Some people are sent abroad for jobs, some fall in love, and some simply find a city that they dream of living in. These considerations will apply to everyone, although some circumstances make things much easier:

Visas + Permits

• What will you need to do to apply for a visa (x-rays, police records, translated official documents, etc)? How long will it take to process? What are the benefits and limitations of specific types of visa, and can you choose from different visa options? [If moving to Germany read this]

• Is there a possibility to obtain dual-citizenship? How long does it take?

• Are your passport, driver's license, job certifications, other forms of ID, shots/vaccinations, etc are all up to date before you apply for a visa and especially before you move? Applying for renewals from abroad is a big hassle. Sometimes it must be done in person.

• Is there are reciprocity for exchanging a driver's license to the locals license? Will you have to pay money or take courses?

• Do you have copies of important papers including notorized or apostilled copies of marriage licenses or transcripts?

• Does the country have any particular rules pertaining to expats, ie. having to hire a certain number of local employees (cook, gardener, maid, etc)?

Work Life

• Do you need a work visa before entering the country or can you get one after you arrive?

• If moving for your job or transferring with the company what issues will be important to you to negotiate?

• If married, will both partners be allowed to work? Are there job perspectives for both partners? If one partner can't work, what are their other options?

• Are spouses or partners invited to workplace functions?

• If you lose your job is there a distinct amount of time before you are forced to leave the country?

Health Care

• Will you have access to the (public) healthcare system? If not, what can you expect to pay in insurance, and what will this insurance cover, and when?

• What types of medications difficult to find or illegal to bring?

• What kind of immunizations / vaccinations will you need before going?

Food + Water

• Is it okay to drink tap water or from a distilled bottle even though it doesn't look clear?

• Are there cooking ingredients that are not available that should be brought?

• What type of measuring system do they use for foods? Should you bring measuring cups or a cook book of their ethnic dishes in your local language?

Everyday Life

• Are you able to drive in your new country? Rent a car?

• Is it pedestrian / bike friendly?

• Is there a subway / public transport system? How expensive is it?

• Can/should you ship your car? If so what are the additional safety/enviromental regulations? Are there road taxes?

• For the city/region, how's telecom (generally)? Is it typical to have your house phone/internet up and running within a week or two or is the wait more like 6-8 weeks, in which case are wireless cards/keys worth it?

• Will your electronics work there or will you have to buy tons of adapters + convertors?

• Is there a book store with publications in your native language?

• Are your DVD's or games going to work over there (region free, etc. )? Does your DVD player have a 'cracking' code?

• What are the area's religious views? Will this change the way you practice your own faith? Will you need to wear special clothing to blend in with others?

Children

• Do you want to potentially have children there? What is pregnancy and childbirth like in this country?

• Would the child / children have the ability to gain a second citizenship? How do you register births with your homeland(s)?

• What kind of educational system is there for children?

• What kind of activities/after-school programs are offered?

• How will the school communicate with you (for those who don't yet speak the language)?

• What is expected of you as a parent (as in contributing volunteer hours, etc)?

• What holidays do children celebrate? And how do they celebrate them?

• Which medications are over-the-counter and which will you need to obtain from a medical professional?

• Will your child be able to get medical care the day you arrive? What about dental care? Eye-care and glasses?

Pets

• Can you transfer pets to this country? If you get a pet in your new country, and want to move it to another country later, what would you need to do?

• Is the country/city pet-friendly? Will it make renting a home or apartment more difficult?

• Is there an option to board pets when you want to travel?

• Does the country quarantine - how long is mandatory and how expensive is it?

Community

• How easy is it for you to travel home from there?

• Is there an expat community present?

• Are there organizations to get involved with for volunteer opportunities?

• Is this a country where you can meet and interact with locals, or will you mostly need to rely on other expats?

• Are there lots of other expats in the area, and is there an active network?

• Are special programs available to foreigners to learn the language?

• What are different areas known for and what areas are most desirable to live in?

• What is the crime rate and some of the local laws?

• Are there local customs that you should be aware of, including holidays?

Moving & Accommodations

• Can you bring your things? How much would this cost? Are there customs restrictions? How long would it take (approximately) for your things to arrive at your new house?

• What type of living arrangements will you have access to?

• Can you choose your own accomodation, or does the company choose for you?

• What can you expect to spend on accommodation?

• Is it safer to live in an expat neighborhood/compound?

• Can you buy, or do you need to rent?

• Can temporary residents get a mortgage?

• If you own a home what will you do with it?

Finances, Taxes, and Banking

• What will you be expected to pay in terms of taxes? Will you receive any government benefits?

• Are you paying for things you won't have access to, or can you get a rebate?

• Are there any partner banks that offer benefits in the new country?

• How often will you be paid and in which currency?

• What about retirement savings? If you can/must put money into company/government pension schemes, can you take that money with you if you leave the country?

• Will you be eligible to get the country's social security?

• Will you have to pay taxes in your home land even while you are abroad?

• Will you/can you transfer money to your "home" bank if necessary?

Useful sites:
Expatistan - cost comparison between cities
If it were my Home - very interesting country by country comparisons
Expat blog - a directory of various locations from an ex-pat perspective
Internations - a community of expats with local chapters around the world
Spotted by Locals - tips from locals around European cities

If I forgot anything please leave a comment and I will add it to the list!

You can win!

You probably have thought you've seen it all... little do so many Americans realize, foreigners are able to 'win' a green card.

Now that I live abroad, I get pop ups (such as the one above) advertising what a privilege it is to come to the US - the land of immigrants. I believe the first time I heard of this, was when Stefan told me Burger King had a contest to win one. It's not as simple as winning however. The new 'winner' must go to the US and go through fingerprinting and investigations... then if they hope to maintain their 'prize', they have to live in the US / come back every 6 months. It still requires a fair amount of resources to sustain green card status.

I've mentioned my German language classmates before (such as the post below). I always think how fortunate I am to have two homes. I can feel safe, happy, content, and healthy in Germany or the US. Sure there are differences, but in grand scheme of things, it's merely surface and superficial.

When I consider what so many of my classmates and other permanent residents have gone through to be here it's really quite amazing and I feel for them. It's easy to be a 'privileged' immigrant. I don't say that in attempts to sound entitled or ethnocentric. Germany does have its kinks and like the US, being inundated with people willing to move here, there are some prejudices as well. I feel advantaged because I speak English. I really avoid doing so at all costs while in public, unless I'm speaking to Stefan though. I know that if I were in a dire situation the language barrier wouldn't be as difficult - particularly in a time of crisis. I don't figure the chances of a doctor speaking Albanian are very high.

At one point I considered becoming an immigration lawyer. Life is a bit too complicated for that, particularly if I am not sure where we are going to live. I also think I see the humanity side of it rather than the paperwork that it really entails. I'm still very intrigued by it all.

When we went to file for my permanent visa renewal the woman was new to the office. Even her tone was pleasant. She said it was 'an easy case' because we had a marriage license (with an apostille), and translations. She said they 'get couples from Afganistan who say they are married because her father said so'. The fascinating thing is that so many people are able to come to Germany. We have great social systems here, which does set things up to be taken advantage of. It's a tricky divide, because I believe in helping people as much as possible, but it's hard to help people who come here simply to milk the system. It's a better quality of life here for much less work for some. The German attitude varies, although it is evident there is a streak of resentment towards these families, especially when the women are oppressed and use their children as translators.

Stefan' mom and I were discussing these issues. It does make it difficult especially when you have children in a school that is diverse. Of course being exposed to other cultures is important. Stefan learned to say 'aya caba neeki' (Turkish that I phonetically spelled) meaning to tie his shoes, while he was in school. - I even said it to a Turkish guy in my class and I could see he was so happy that I would try to learn some Turkish. I'd greet him with a 'Merhaba'. It is a large struggle though, when your child speaks German and comes from a German background and they go to school with children that are there learning the language first. I have had multiple children come up to me with their mothers in tow at the train station asking me something and being the translator.



I've also been told Salzburg also has issues with wealthy Russians coming to purchase homes in the Alps for winter time. They drive up the prices and are only there several weeks a year, so many people living there grow resentful.

The struggles are interesting. It is also obvious they start young. When I was teaching Greek children English last summer I was asking who had traveled to (insert place). As soon as I said 'Turkey' they went from raising their hands to shoving them in between their legs in an act of defiance.

In being here I see things as human struggles more than pinning things on certain cultures. People with money are always going to be advantaged, those without it are going to want a better life for their families, and a lot of attitudes start young and at home.

I enjoyed my German class - it was a small group that was always kind to one another and there unspoken understandings that united us all in being foreign. There were people who unfortunately cheated themselves. They would cheat on tests or want to copy homework. At times I wondered if I was the only one that got the memo that we were there to learn for ourselves. I have to step back and realize that other cultures may take great insult to be held back in a class. It was always obvious though when someone would not be able to speak with basic conversation, or would respond to 'Wie heißen Sie?' (what's your name) with 'Ich habe' (I have).

That being said - there was still a strong religious current. The Islamic men united, and nearly didn't come to the end of the year holiday party for fear it was a Christmas celebration. Two of my favorite classmates were from Morocco and Tunisia. I quickly realize how people must hold on to what is uniquely them when they are thrown into something new. Suddenly basic things like religion and language or nationality are strong uniters. Everyone wants to be understood. I really love the dynamics of it all.

My next 100 hours (to make me half way finished with the required amount) should begin in January 08. I hope this class is able to keep pace for those of us that want to learn. Last time it was really catering towards the lower achieving / unmotivated people.