Six Disturbing Experiences When Going Back Home For A Holiday

It’s been a while since you've set foot in your home country but this year, you’re going back. For a holiday. Three weeks of jam packed program trying to optimize everything and please … [Read more...]

Expats – The true story of building a portable social network (and why it matters)

Starting all over again? You have no energy left. This is your third move in 10 years. You’ve just unpacked all your boxes, settled the children at school and established a new routine. You know … [Read more...]

Empty Nest Syndrome –  3 Essential Tasks For The Expat Mum

Lauren is shaken. To the core.   A big part of what she has lived for over the last 10 years -- the years she’s been a full time stay at home mum -- is slipping away. Her daughter Maddy left … [Read more...]

Expat in a country that speaks the same language as you – Blessing or curse?

The netball game just finished. Olivia is in tears. Her team lost 10 to 0. Sandra, her mum, is fuming on the bench. ‘Why is the game so violent, the referee so biased, the girls from the … [Read more...]

Jet Lag – 7 Ways For Your Traveling Partner To Avoid Becoming A Moody Sloth

Sally is pulling her hair. The kitchen tap is leaking, Max is sick and Sarah has a performance at school this morning. Murphy’s law. As usual, Harry is travelling for work. Since they came to … [Read more...]

Difficult Expat Conversations – How to Create a Peaceful Holiday for Everyone Without Stressing Out (Part I)

Dring… The phone is ringing.  “Hello darling, how are you?” Sally bites her lips. “Oh mum, I’m well thank you. And you?” “I was wondering when you’re coming for Christmas?” That was … [Read more...]

What Trailing Spouses Can Learn From Mahatma Gandhi, Viktor Frankl and Tasmania

  “Trapped. Caught. Stuck”  This is what so many trailing spouses feel after some time living abroad... The situation is painful, I agree.   But bear with me. Let me help … [Read more...]

Male Trailing Spouses: An Inconvenient Truth

Most trailing spouses are women, but in the last 15 years a new trend in the expat world is ramping up: the male trailing spouse. Defying convention, these men are pioneers in unchartered … [Read more...]

Trailing Spouse: What You Wish You Knew Before Moving Abroad

It’s 9 am. You’re alone.   Back home after dropping off the kids to school. Your partner is at work. After the agitation of the morning, the silence is now deafening. Only proof from such a … [Read more...]

Expatriate Connection – A Unique Reflection On 2013

As 2013 draws to a close, let me take you on a journey: the story of an expat family through all the articles published on the blog this year.  All characters appearing in this work are not … [Read more...]