This is a message of hope for anyone in despair. When we see our troubles as opportunities for growth, we can turn our lives around. Lynne Harkes has lived in many wonderful and colourful places, moving from Nigeria to South America, from the Sultanate of Oman to the jungle of Gabon in West Africa. Lynne describes graphically both the warm hospitality and resilience of the native peoples, and the magnificence of the landscape and animal world. But equally, the intensity of such a nomadic existence magnifies one's personal challenges, and Lynne found herself retreating into unhappiness and isolation. This beautifully written book is the story of how she fought to rediscover her own spirituality and find a new way of thinking. In the end, she would say, it was simple: we must learn to see the beauty of nature and of our own everyday world, to "recognise the remarkable in the ordinary."

People will always have dreams and passions, for that is the true essence of the human condition. For some, this may mean a larger home, a new car, or climbing a mountain. For many others, like myself, it is the dream of a new life, new experiences, new cultures, the opportunity to experience, taste and smell the excitement in a place that is of our own choosing and not merely based upon an accident of birth. For many, the dreams will be of a less stressful life, an opportunity to be challenged by new experiences, new and exciting work opportunities, a place where there is a high quality of life in which a young family may grow. For others, it may be the dream of a carefree, long, happy and healthy retirement, but for all it is an 'Escape to the Sun'.

What do I do in an earthquake? Is Tokyo Japanese? How exactly do I use chopsticks? Being exactly wrong rather than inexactly right and why is English so difficult? These and hundreds of other questions are explained in this fascinating approach to a foreigner's life in Japan. The Beginner's Guide to Japan is an invaluable companion for anyone on their journey through The Land of the Rising Sun whether directing a taxi, ordering pizza by telephone or trying to unravel the mysteries of kanji. And why exactly are all those people waving red batons at each and every construction site?

The Republic of Kazakhstan emerged from the former USSR as an independent nation in 1991. It is one of the largest countries in the world and Astana, its capital, is one of the youngest (and coldest) capital cities. In this anthology of expatriate experiences in Kazakhstan, 24 authors from 11 countries show us this Central Asian country as they know it. In Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt, we travel to the country's bustling, multicultural cities, to its rural homesteads steeped in rich traditions, and to the Kazakh Steppe, the vast open plain that has for centuries been home to a nomadic way of life. During the journey, we come to understand the importance of the yurt, or nomad's tent, we are privy to a powerful reflection on Soviet-era labour camps, and we witness the build-up to a traditional Kazakh wedding. In a variety of cross-cultural exchanges - some bewildering, some funny - we meet locals, try new cuisines, discover the work of a talented local artist, join one man's quest for a unique piece of Kazakh furniture for his wife, and explore the steppe as it deserves to be explored - on horseback. More importantly, we are introduced to the warmth of Kazakh hospitality and we learn it is possible to survive the extreme temperatures of a Kazakh winter. Whether you are an expat, a traveller or just curious about other cultures, Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt: Expat stories from Kazakhstan will introduce you to the Kazakh landscape, people and cultures as experienced by its expatriates - both those who are passing through and those who have decided to stay.

Do you want to find a career that is: a) based on what you love to do more than anything; b) created from your strongest skills and best assets; c) will let you work anywhere; d) can be sustained and developed even if you move again? then you need A Career in Your Suitcase. In this fully revised and updated 4th edition, A Career in Your Suitcase enters its 15th year of inspiring, motivating and supporting men and women who want to love what they do for a living. Now packed with over 20 exercises that combine to create your unique Career Passport, the new edition covers everything you need from finding your passion, to developing a brand, networking on and offline and marketing. This time, career consultant, Colleen Reichrath-Smith, joins serial expat entrepreneur, Jo Parfitt, in the latest and most comprehensive incarnation of this best selling book.

Everyone knows that laughter is the best medicine, but Forced to Fly is more than a collection of funny stories about the seeing the funny side of the day to day blunders we all make. It is packed with stories that resonate with anyone who has lived abroad Its opening chapters, written by experts, counsellors and real-life expats who have struggled with culture shock, will provide support and advice to guide you through any dark patches. When the first edition came out I had no idea that it would find its way into corporate goodie bags for relocating employees, nor that people would call me up, saying, "Help, my daughter-in-law has just moved to Dubai and is not doing so well. Can you send her a book, please?" In this second edition, we have added a chapter on emotional resilience in addition to more than 20 new stories for you to enjoy from new writers such as Jack Scott, whose memoir, Perking the Pansies, has been shortlisted for the Polaris prize and the hilarious Debbie Fletcher, author of Bitten by Spain. Blogger contributors AdventuresInExpatland, DisparateHuisvrouw, WordGeyser and IWasAnExpatWife make this a thoroughly modern version of an old favourite. "A must-have book for expats everywhere. A unique mix of practical advice and funny stories that everyone will relate to." Toni Summers-Hargis, author of Rules, Britannia and blogger at Expat Mum - http: //expatmum.blogspot.com 'I would love to have had it with me when I left home ten years ago for the first time." Laura J Stephens, author of An Inconvenient Posting, an expat wife's memoir of lost identity - www.laurajstephens.com "Delightfully relevant. A cleverly crafted collection of expatriate stories and advice, including the good, the bad and the hilarious side of international living. Perfect for global nomads looking to feel connected through shared experiences." Alison Cavatore, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Global Living Magazine - www.globallivingmagazine.com

Whether you're visiting Gran Canaria courtesy of picking up a last-minute bargain break or planning to relocate there, Going Local in Gran Canaria is the book for you. Covering everything from places to see on your holiday to property advice and career opportunities, Going Local is much more than a travel guide. New residents will be delighted by its accessible, humorous style and the inside scoop on what's hot and what's not, coming from British journalist and resident of eight years, Matthew Hirtes. "Matthew Hirtes probably knows more about Gran Canaria than many who were born there. Going Local is an engaging and authoritative guide for visitors and new residents alike." Louise Parkin, editor Living Spain magazine "Going Local in Gran Canaria takes us through the background, history, culture, traditions and people at a steady canter that leaves you much better informed than when you started the book, and with a desire to visit and experience the pleasures and attractions yourself. Clearly, there is something for everyone: both in the book and in Gran Canaria." Chris Marshall, Telegraph Expat columnist and blogger at Almerimarlife.com "With a rare depth of insight, Matthew weaves his personal experiences through an engaging narrative to show us a different face to Gran Canaria." Andrea and Jack Montgomery author of Going Native in Tenerife "An extraordinarily honest, detailed, colourfully-written guide that both informs and entertains. Highly recommended." Victoria Twead, author of Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools, Two Old Fools - Ole and Mouth-Watering Spanish Recipes.

This is a story of survival. It is a story of hope. Niamh was raped inside a wardrobe by the father of a school friend when she was just nine-years-old. An Irish catholic, growing up in Dublin, the nuns called her a Whore of Babylon because she was left-handed. And so began a life of abuse. Niamh is a woman who copes, who gets on with things and who knows how to rise above her past - that is until it resurfaces and becomes an obstacle to the happiness she knows she deserves. Singing saved her life and her sanity. It was her escape from hurt and travesty. Running from her past, Niamh travelled to London, Greece and to the Netherlands, where she found love and a Dutch husband. But it was not until she hit her fiftieth birthday, divorced and living alone with her daughter, that she took her first steps on the road to freedom. This memoir shows how a remarkable woman learned to search for the hero inside herself and began to sing from the rooftops about the joy that can be found in the darkest of times. The author lives in The Hague and is actively involved in both local and expatriate communities. "Courageous in the extreme, Niamh Ni Bhroin takes us on a personal journey that traverses the horrors of the past and the loving embrace of today. Magnificent." Kieron Connolly, novelist

The only thing you can be sure you can move around the world is your child's ability to increase his or her interpersonal skills. In today's global world, each of us is searching for effective tools that can help our children to thrive. Emotional Resilience for the Expat Child provides a step-by-step guide that is designed to increase a child's emotional vocabulary and emotional intelligence. Doing this will enable your child to achieve his or her fullest potential. The bond between an adult and child is key to the psychological health of the child. For the expatriate child, this bond is more vital than ever. This workbook has been created for you to use together and will provide the perfect place to connect for you and your family. With easily understood and practical steps any parent can apply, you can start to create and enjoy your family's 'emotion stories'. This book will help you to develop the mutually respectful and loving relationships with your kids that you've always wanted. Working on these 'emotion stories', all children can develop a strong sense of personal narrative; they will find their own 'voice' and in so doing will grow into confident, happy teenagers. When a child feels happy and confident, he will be more likely to construct and communicate his emotions. The richer his vocabulary is in emotions, the more competent and powerful he will be in reflecting on his behavior and how his actions and interactions are intertwined. Well-written in an engaging, conversational tone, this book is sensible, straightforward and based on the experiences of expat families. It will give your child what he or she needs to understand and express today in order to grow into a caring, emotional intelligent adult tomorrow.

From incomparable storyteller and beloved diversity and inclusion expert, Steve L. Robbins, comes the 10th Anniversary Edition of his classic book used by scores of companies globally for diversity training. This 10th anniversary edition of the beloved classic features 10 new stories written by Dr. Robbins that help readers gain deeper insight into the role our brains play in shaping our thoughts and actions, and what we can do to be more curious and open-minded in our diverse world. Based on his study of the fields of behavioural science and cognitive neuroscience, Robbins explores unconscious bias in many of its forms, including; availability bias, confirmation bias, anchoring bias and others. What If? is a fun, unpretentious guide for individuals and organizations that will help break down defenses and shine a helpful light on human behaviour in a world filled with differences.

Buying a home is probably the single most important investment people ever make. But once you understand the process, much of the fear will vanish. And the joy of owning your own home and putting down roots offers security and satisfaction.

Stephen Pollan walks first-time buyers through the whole process, from house hunting to moving day. He has seen the whole picture as a lawyer, broker, banker, and financial adviser. He, Mark Levine, and Michael Pollan show you how to:

search for a location and learn how to evaluate it

assemble your team: broker, lawyer, contractor, accountant, inspector, and insurance broker

make sure your team serves you, not just the deal itself

use the tactics of negotiating, including offers, increments, what to say, and when and where to say it

examine the contract in detail--what to look for and what to insist on

choose the right bank for your mortgage, straighten out credit difficulties and potential objections

prepare, practice, and plan for the "mysterious ritual" of closing or settling on a house.

"The Field Guide to Home Buying in America" teaches you to be your own best expert and makes home buying a joyous and rewarding experience.

Adjusting to a new culture and getting along with the local people can be a challenge for everyone who lives and works abroad. Whether in business, diplomacy, education, or as a long-term visitor, anyone can be blind-sided by a lack of international knowledge and experience and be caught at a disadvantage. In this completely revised and expanded third edition, Craig Storti outlines the personal challenges of adjusting to the change - anticipating differences, managing the temptation to withdraw, and gradually adjusting expectations of behaviour to fit reality - and shows what it takes to encounter a new culture head-on and succeed. Now an established bestseller, The Art of Crossing Cultures is a one-of-a-kind guidebook to bridging the cultural divide, incorporating an easy-to-understand model of cultural adjustment, and tips on how to master the process and develop adaptive strategies. This timely new edition focuses on how to deal with country and culture shock and includes many examples of cross-cultural misunderstandings. As well as revisions throughout, it includes a brand new chapter on crossing cultures at home. "As enlightening to the university student as it is to the practical-minded businessperson." L. Robert Kohls, author of Survival Kit for Overseas Living

Despite greater harmonization, national cultures and business environments still vary enormously. Whatever the purpose of the visit or length of stay, it is all too easy to arrive uninformed in a country. This French language edition of "Working in Europe" is a comprehensive guide for those seeking employment abroad. It combines hard facts; soft information such as insights into national characteristics, the culture and the fundamental dos and don'ts; and comparative charts, for the important variations that may affect decisions.

As William Gay, distinguished adviser to the last edition, so aptly notes, the United States is "a country that is never what you think it is." Since that edition was introduced nearly ten years ago, the country has been struggling with troubling, divisive events and issues, especially the September 11, 2001, attacks and the resulting War on Terror. Despite these extraordinary times, the United States still holds promise and opportunity for those who take the time to understand it. Jef Davis, a seasoned interculturalist and long-time adviser to international travelers, had succeeded as few could in creating an important new version of Living in the U.S.A. that will guide you through the confusing, conflicted, exciting country and its diverse population at an extraordinary time in history. New material and significantly revised chapters help you understand: American Cultures, such as sections on African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native peoples, retirees, gays and lesbians and the disables, underscoring the incredible diversity of culture and values that comprise the American population; Twenty-First Century Issues, for example the continued rise in religious fundamentalism in the U.S. and abroad and the tension between security and personal liberties; Getting Here and Getting Settled, including security at the airport and elsewhere and new and trying immigration regulations. Short-term visitors to the U.S. will find advice for surviving customs and immigration, finding as apartment, doing business, obtaining health care, and navigating the supermarket, bank, and post office. If you plan to stay longer, you will find practical pointers for getting along at work, school, and at home; buying a house; making and keeping American friends; and understanding dominant American values in a diverse and complex society. Living in the U.S.A. is a comprehensive guide to attitudes, customs, manners and daily life in the United States.

When Pretoria boy Ted Botha moved to New York City, he was not so much an immigrant as someone on the make – a travelling South African looking to broaden his horizons. In no time he’d lied his way into a job in the New York magazine industry. Then he stumbled upon a small old dilapidated building in Harlem and moved in. Several blocks away, flats were selling for $1 million and more, yet he’d found one he could afford. What seemed like a fantastic opportunity, however, quickly descended into a world of chaos, lies, conspiracies, suspicion, drug dealing, police raids and death threats. Behind much of it slithered that terrible beast Botha thought he had left behind in South Africa, race. And the worse things got in the New World, the more Botha thought of the world he had left behind, Africa. Could he ever reconcile the two and survive the anarchy rampant in his old building? In equal parts memoir, comedy and tragedy – not to mention a travelogue/travelog (with some detours into American spelling along the way) – Flat/White brings to life a cast of characters that you won’t soon forget, in a story you won’t actually believe is true. But it is.

'A very funny tome' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Hilarious' DAILY MAIL 'A profoundly instructive course in the idiosyncrasies of Greek law, custom and culture ... entertainingly chronicled' SAGA * * * * * * From Radio 4 presenter, bestselling author and national treasure John Humphrys, a funny and engaging memoir of building a home in Greece written together with his son Christopher. It was a moment of mad impulse when John Humphrys decided to buy a semi-derelict cottage and a building site on a plot of land overlooking the Aegean. A few minutes gazing out over the most glorious bay he had ever seen was all it took to persuade him. After all, his son Christopher was already raising his family there so he would help build the beautiful villa that would soon rise there. What could possibly go wrong? Everything. John was to spend the next three years regretting his moment of madness. Some of it had its comic side. He learned to cope with a drunken peacock falling out of his favourite tree and even a colony of rats invading his bedroom. Some of the humans proved trickier: the old man demanding payment for olive trees in the middle of John's own land; the neighbour who dragged his lovely old fishing boat onto the beach and set fire to it after a row with his wife. And, of course, the builders. Was the plumber who electrocuted him in the shower vengeful or merely incompetent? John learned a lot about Greece in a short time. He grew to love it and loathe it in almost equal measures, but was never for a moment bored by it. And Christopher learned a bit more about John. Their shared experience revived keen memories for him of growing up with a father for whom patience was never the strongest virtue... Here father and son capture the idyll and the odyssey as paradise is found, lost and regained.

Each year, 700,000 students from around the world come to the United States and Canada to study. For many, the experience is as challenging as it is exciting. Far from home, they must adapt to a new culture, new university system, and, in many cases, a new language. The process can be overwhelming, but as Charles Lipson's Succeeding as an International Student in the United States and Canada assures us, it doesn't have to be."Succeeding" is designed to help students navigate the myriad issues they will encounter - from picking a program to landing a campus job. Based on Lipson's work with international students as well as extensive interviews with faculty and advisers, "Succeeding" includes practical suggestions for learning English, participating in class, and meeting with instructors. In addition it explains the rules of academic honesty as they are understood in U.S. and Canadian universities.Life beyond the classroom is also covered, with handy sections on living on or off campus, obtaining a driver's license, setting up a bank account, and more. The comprehensive glossary addresses both academic terms and phrases heard while shopping or visiting a doctor. There is even a chapter on the academic calendar and holidays in the United States and Canada.Coming to a new country to study should be an exciting venture, not a baffling ordeal. Now, with this trustworthy resource, international students have all the practical information they need to succeed, in and out of the classroom.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to travel and work abroad? Teaching English as a foreign language is a fun and rewarding career choice if you want to see the world. Whether you're a trained teacher, newly qualified or want to travel the globe, Teaching English Abroad is the most comprehensive guide to finding and securing a teaching job abroad. Packed with hundreds of different schools and placements across 90 countries from South Korea to Australia, there are a huge range of opportunities to choose from, including both long and short-term placements. Teaching English Abroad provides all the essential information you need, region by region, so you have a safe and successful trip. Inside find out: How valuable qualifications are to teaching abroad Which ELT courses available, lasting from a weekend to 3 years Where to search for jobs from recruitment organisations to websites How to prepare for your trip abroad and overcome any issues How other teachers found their work from personal accounts Now in its 16th edition, this new edition includes more than 50 new employer listings - from Switzerland to Taiwan, Georgia to Kenya, and Hungary to Bolivia.

The French are famously enigmatic: fiercely independent yet deeply romantic, conservative yet avant-garde, rational yet emotional. What is it, exactly, that makes the French so... French? Written for anyone interacting with the French-tourists, businesspeople, international students, Francophiles-Au Contraire! offers a perceptive understanding of French cultural beliefs, assumptions and attitudes, along with practical advice on building strong personal and professional relationships with the French. Addressing issues like friendship, politics, work, education and romance, bilingual and bi cultural authors Asselin and Mastron draw upon their own experiences as consultants and trainers, as well as those of students and professionals, giving readers a complete - and compelling - look at French culture. This revised edition of Au Contraire! includes updated information about France's changing social and political climate, advice for succeeding as an expat, information about the French educational system, overviews of France's diverse regions - and more.

If you were lucky, you knew about and were prepared for culture shock when you moved overseas, But unless you are very lucky, you probably don't know about and are not prepared for reverse culture shock. And you should be. Most expats find coming home after an overseas assignment more difficult than adjusting to a foreign culture-and very few organizations and companies prepare people for the experience. Veteran trainer and consultant Craig Storti sketches the workplace challenges faced by returning businessmen and women as well as the re-entry issues of spouses, younger children, and teenagers. He also addresses in detail the special issues faced by exchange students, international development volunteers, and military and missionary personnel and their families. From leave-taking and the honeymoon stage through to reverse culture shock and eventual readjustment, The Art of Coming Home lays out the four stages of the re-entry process and details practical strategies for dealing with the challenges you will face each step of the way. Whether you're about to relocate abroad, are already living abroad, about to come home, or already home, this book walks you through the biggest adjustments, personal and professional, and in this new edition presents a complete do-it-yourself repatriation workshop to help you identify and address your individual readjustment issues.