Expat Explorer

Expat friends vs. local friends

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:04:14 PDT

Everyone needs friends, but friendships become even more important when you have left your country, your home and members of your family. The transition experienced, although exciting, is also very unsettling, so having a strong support network is vital.

However, as an expatriate, there are other friendship factors to consider, like whether you should socialise with other expats or spend time with locals.

We have taken a look at the pros and cons of both:

Homesickness

Expat friends (EFs as we will call them), if from your country of origin, will allow you to touch base without you actually needing to fly home. They will understand your cultural references and give you moments of solidarity when everything is feeling a bit daunting. They will also be there when you want to spend those holidays, the Thanksgivings and the St Patrick’s days, with people who understand just how important it is to eat pumpkin pie, or dance an Irish jig.

However homesickness can be made worse if you cling to the familiar. It is important to remember that this new country is your home and immersing yourself in the new experiences available to you could really help you to settle in to your new expat life, rather than clinging on to the memories and customs of home.

Language

If you are trying to learn the language then surrounding yourself with locals will help you immensely. Even with the best intentions, when speaking to your EFs, there will always be the temptation to revert back to your mother tongue when things get difficult. Locals will also know all the idioms and complexities of the language that cannot be grasped from a book or an audio tape. Learning the language, the local way, will speed up the process and provide a cultural insight that is unrivaled by any other form of education.

On the other hand, constant translation can be very tiring so sometimes it is better to have the option of speaking in your native language. Laughing is also important for keeping life care-free and whimsical. But, while you should share humour with all of your friends, there are certain jokes which just do not translate. Instead of wearing the humour thin by trying to explain it, maybe just save these acquired witticisms for your EFs.

Cultural Immersion

Hanging around with locals will give you a real insight into the culture. They will help you find out the restaurants that serve the best food, steer you away from the tourist traps, and guide you through the foreign bureaucracies.

Having said that, there is value in sharing the experience of the unknown with other expatriates. You can have a lot of fun navigating the new country together and making the mistakes and faux pas that you will look back and laugh at, later on in your friendship. It is worth pointing out that EFs will not necessarily be from your home country and so spending time with them can be even more enlightening as you experience a new world together, filtered through a myriad of cultural knowledge.

A balance

Bearing in mind the benefits of both, a balance of local and expat friends should help you get through the more difficult moments as well as enjoy the good times. Immerse yourself in the new culture, make local friends and try and speak the language, but do so with other expats, who will empathise with your situation as only other expats can do.

But, before we clock off, there is another group of people who are worth a mention - home friends. While they are far away, they should not be forgotten, so whenever you have a moment, spare a thought, an email or a phone call for your friends overseas. These are the people who will keep you connected to your home country, be there if you decide to repatriate and, importantly, remind you of your sense of self, the self before the expat.

Expat Explorer returns for another year! Tell us your experiences today. Just click here to start!

A View to Vietnam

paulsay@hsbc.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:14:07 PDT

Source: Fotopedia

Vietnam’s buzzing cities, cultural diversity, beautiful cuisine and enviable natural landscape have now set it firmly on the traveler map, and with good reason. But what about actually moving there? Does Vietnam deliver - not just as a carefree backpacker destination - but as a home in which to live, work, and bring up a family?

According to our 2012 survey of expats, Vietnam was ranked highly by those who wanted a good work-life balance and the opportunity to be challenged in their new country. This trend was shown by the 70% of expats who were making an effort to learn and use the Vietnamese language, despite recognising its difficulty.

Expats also sung the praises of the Vietnamese locals, whose hospitality and friendliness was contributing to the ease with which they settled in.

Despite these positives, many expats said that their expectations of a better quality of life were not realised upon arrival, so it seems that the outside perspective of Vietnam may be different from the reality. This hit, among other issues left Vietnam ranking at only 27^th out of 30^th in terms of expat experience.

Are you an expat in Vietnam? Is this an accurate portrayal of your experiences? Have your say and tell us whether things have changed by clicking here and filling in the 2013 Expat Explorer survey.

Expat Senses: Smells

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:30:00 PDT

Welcome to the last in our five-part series on Expat Senses. Over the past few weeks, we’ve brought you some of the best expat sights, sounds, tastes and textures from around the world. This week we’re hoping to come up smelling of roses by rounding everything off with a look at a selection of smells to delight your nose (well, most of them!)

Image source: Flickr

Lavender fields, Kent, UK

A visit to Kent’s lavender fields is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of nearby London. A popular scent for thousands of years, lavender was used in both ancient Egypt and Rome as a perfume and to sweeten the air. In the modern day the plant is renowned for its soothing qualities - so be careful not to drift off to sleep!

Image source: Wikicommons

New York Public Library, New York City, US

Any bibliophile will tell you, there’s no nicer smell than that of an old book – and if it’s old books you love, head to a library! New York Public Library is one of the world’s biggest, and holds over 50 million items. There are loads of old pages to flick through so if you’re ever in town make sure to stop by and indulge your literary self.

Image source: Flickr

Kawah Ijen, Indonesia

Kawah Ijen is the one of the most famous sources of sulphur in the world and so strong is the supply, sulphurous gases emanate from cracks all over the volcano. As sulphuric compounds are responsible for the famous smells of garlic and skunk attacks, this might be one of the smelliest places in the world!

Finding your expat thang

paulsay@hsbc.com — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:36:01 PDT

One of the most important ways to settle in as an expat is to find a fantastic hobby that keeps you occupied and gets you out there meeting new people. That’s why we’ve pulled out four expat ‘types’ that you could be to find your niche and settle in quickly.

The Networker

Image source: Flickr

We all know how important it is to get out there and meet people. This can be especially true for expats who’ve moved away for work. When you first move you’ll probably be a long way away from your business contacts and in need of some new ones. Starting from scratch like this is a great excuse to get some cards printed up and run along to as many networking events as possible. If things go really well, the people you meet may end up being an important part of your social life as well as your business life.

The Culture Buff

Image source: Flickr

Wherever you end up, there’s bound to be a completely different atmosphere to ‘home’. Culture buffs love to get out there and experience all that there is to see and hear. Whether it’s galleries, architecture, music, or dance you’re bound to find a new passion. And if you bring a camera you can become the classic culture buff sub-type: The Photographer. Photographers love to record their daily lives. A great way to do this is if you have a smartphone is to download a camera app with filters to make your photos look as professional as if you were a real expert. You can then share these photos with your friends back home, either with through your social networks or your very own photo blog!

The Foodie

Image source: Flickr

Surely a key consideration before you go anywhere is the food. When you’re a long way away from your home comforts, it can be hard even to get the same type of bread that you’re useful. Foodies love the excitement of trying new things and always seem to have the nicest meals at home, as well as when they eat out. Why not befriend some and reap the benefits yourself?

Networker, foodie, photographer or culture buff? What type of expat are you? If you think you’ve identified another type, let us know in the comments!

Expat senses: Touch

paulsay@hsbc.com — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:43:12 PDT

Welcome to the latest installment in our five part series on Expat Senses. So far we’ve brought you some of the best sights, sounds and tastes from cross the globe. This week we get hands on and explore a variety of textures and surfaces from silk to mud!

Durian fruit, South East Asia

Believe it or not, this hostile looking object is in fact a fruit! It can be found in most South East Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand where it’s commonly sold at markets and street stalls. If you can get to grips with its thorny outer shell you will be rewarded but be warned…it’s not only the exterior that packs a punch. The smell of this fruit is so repellent to some that it has been known to have been banned from public transport and hotels!

Source: Flickr

Vulcano, Italy

In the Aeolian Islands in Italy, one the volcanic island of Vulcano, you will find the famous Laghetto di Fanghi mud baths. Here you can cover yourself top to toe in mineral-rich sticky mud and relax as it dries - momentarily turning you into a statue - before washing it off in the hot springs. A brilliant excuse to get messy but also great for the skin!

Source: Flickr

Silk Street, China

Forget spikey or sticky, Beijing’s Silk Street in China is a treat for anyone’s hands. This market is home to 17,000 retailers selling a variety of luxurious, brightly coloured fabrics that will appeal to even the most discerning shopper. 20,000 visitors trek to Silk Street daily so why not join the crowds and treat yourself to a custom made suit or traditional qipao so you can take a memento of your trip home with you?

Source: Flickr

Rock climbing, Spain

The only way is up if you’re faced with a wall of rough, cold rock. If you’re a fan of rock climbing, or just fancy giving it a go, Spain is a great place to start. The region has a great climate as well as several popular crags located near to coastal towns and cities. Be sure to get a strong pair of gloves to help you navigate the nook and crannies and most importantly – don’t look down!

Source: Flickr

Furry hats, Russia

In the north of Russia, winter temperatures have been known to fall to -40 so it’s vital that you wrap up warm! The traditional Russian hat, or Ushanka, has been worn in the country for many years and was originally designed to keep troopers warm in the cold winter months.

Source: Flickr

Stay tuned for the last in the series – expat smells. If you have any favourite smells in your host country or smells that evoke memories of home let us know by tweeting us @expatexplorer.

Guest Blogger Series: Introducing…Grant Parker

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:00:02 PDT

We have the pleasure of introducing Grant Parker tweeting @gparker546 as our guest blogger today. Here, Grant talks about his move from the USA to Germany and the challenges of…

Finding My Feet In A New City

Picture source: Wikicommons

My expat experience began on a road trip as I was moving from Georgia to Seattle. It was a pleasure seeing all the new and fascinating American locales, but so much time alone can be dangerous. I left each city thinking “That was cool, but not as cool as Berlin.” This slowly morphed into “Man I wish I were moving to Berlin instead of Seattle,” and somewhere around Minneapolis I finally landed at “Well…why aren’t I?” With no real answer to that question I reached sunny San Francisco, turned back east, booked a flight to Berlin, and one month later I was here- no plans, no contacts, and no satisfactory explanation as to why other than “I wanted to see what would happen.”

I guess I hadn’t really thought through exactly what kinds of challenges an expat faces when he relocates point blank. Work in Germany doesn’t immediately present itself. Apartments to rent don’t fall from the sky. The work permit application process left me spinning, but you have to start at the bottom, so I became a frequent visitor of the ausländerbehörde- or work office. On my third visit in as many days I got turned away for “filling out the wrong form” and, left with no other recourse, cried right there on the front steps. “What have I done”, I thought. “No one is helping me”.

It didn’t improve company morale that I had already moved four times in a two month period; friends of friends of friends offered temporary abode. One night I found myself sitting in the beautiful apartment of a complete stranger who was out of town, leaving me to man the fort. Everything in it was so foreign, so personal to someone else, and I realised just how flighty I had been with my concept of home; how loosely I had held on to where I came from. I tried to imagine a time in the future when I would have my own floor to walk on, and a bookshelf to hold my own books. The more time I spent trying to find these things the more I realised what it takes to get them: command of the language, time devoted to searching through what is a notoriously internet-unfriendly city, and most importantly personal connections. That night it all struck me as so unapproachable. I felt like the only boy in the world.

That is until one small website start-up I came across who decided to take a chance on a suitcase kid and hire me on as a “marketing intern”, all because I said I wanted to learn. That was the day that Berlin really started for me.

Ironically, this website turned out to be the one site I had been hoping to find all along! The company’s mission is to unite lost internationals like myself with the businesses and services we need to get our life going. Apart from the myriad resources available for apartments, jobs, sports, etc., the team opened up my world personally. The two founders- Mario and Anja- genuinely take care of me here; we cook, play ping-pong, and watch the snow fall from our office in Mitte. At our monthly events I’ve met fellow internationals with whom I’m building good friendships, not to mention the business contacts. Had I not stumbled upon this job early on in my Berlin career who knows how long I would have floundered around trying to establish myself? The warmth with which they welcomed me and all expats has already forged strong loyalty, and let me feel like I’m on my feet again. I’m very lucky, but most important to remember is that my success is not exceptional. If I can do it, literally anyone can.

About the author

Grant Parker is a 24-year-old writer, traveller and avid gymnast currently setting up shop in Berlin, Germany. He writes two personal blogs, studies SEO and computer programming, and has been working for g1obals.org since October.

You can check out his other writings at http://apply.g1obals.org/blog and http://grantparkertumbler.tumblr.com/ or tweeting at @gparker546

2013 Expat Explorer survey opens today!

paulsay@hsbc.com — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:00:02 PDT

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our annual Expat Explorer survey. This is the sixth year we’ve run the research and we’re keen to get expats from all across the globe to get involved and share their experiences of living and working abroad.

Last year, more than 5,300 of you checked in from over 100 countries to have your say - making it the largest sample to date.

You filled us in on everything from social lives to career opportunities, from integration to raising your children abroad. Your input helped us to build a picture of what really matters to expats.

Last year’s Expat Explorer survey found that:

- Singapore was the home of the wealthiest expats
- Expats in the Eurozone were willing to weather the storm
- South East Asian countries were pulling in expats because of their unrivalled opportunities for increased earnings

This year, we want to go bigger and better and make sure that every expat, from Argentina to Vietnam, has their say.

So…what are you waiting for? Simply click here to take part and don’t forget to share the link with your friends and colleagues.

Settling in to your new place of work

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:10:11 PDT

It could be argued that taking on a new post abroad with an existing employer or moving out to another country with a job already in place gives you that much needed feeling of comfort. Of course, removing that element of uncertainty from your mind can do wonders for a smooth transition. However, a country’s culture will inevitably spread to its workplace so how do you prepare for the daily grind when you don’t know what it might entail?

Source: Flikr

The findings of our 2012 Expat Explorer survey revealed some of the best places to work around the world taking into account five of the main factors of a happy working life:

Local work culture

Work / life balance

Feeling welcome at work

Working environment

Commuting

As you can see from the chart below there were some obvious all round winners. Number one being the Cayman Islands which, according to expats living there, provided the best working climate with friendly colleagues, a great work life balance and an easy commute. Similarly, Spain scored particularly well on the work life balance front, helping to rank it a close second.

If it’s a good local work culture you’re after then Switzerland may just be the place for you. Coupled with an easy commute it projects a laid-back atmosphere, ideal for finding your feet.

Source: Expat Explorer 2012

All that aside, some countries have very specific work routines or cultures that it’s good to understand before you get your feet under the desk. Here are a few of our favourites.

Tea rounds – UK

If you know the UK then you will know that tea is taken very seriously. We mean VERY seriously. During the day, workers consume 3.5 cups a day on average. It’s likely your new work mates will take their tea differently so learn quickly if it’s milky with one sugar or ‘builder’s tea’ (nice and strong) and win them over with a nice brew.

Shorter work week - France

If you’re used to burning the midnight oil and working all hours that are given then a move to France will give you the chance to take your foot off the pedal. In France, the average working week is 35 hours long, much shorter than the 40-45 hours that customary in most of the western world.

Bonding time – Sweden

It’s customary for Swedes to get away from their desks for a quick cup of coffee and chat up to three times a day; this is called a ‘fika’. However, it’s not an excuse for an extra-long lunch break! Punctuality is of high importance in Swedish work culture so make sure to team up with a work buddy to help you get a feel for when to take your breaks and how long for.

Indian Standard Time (IST) - India

In India, a meeting at 3pm or a dinner party at 7.30pm inevitably ends up being at least 30 minutes late – sometimes even hours. Owing to the hectic traffic and time to get from A to B, this particular cultural quirk is simply unique to India and the locals are used to working on IST. Just don’t forget to clarify what time they actually mean when organising a meet up – and be patient if you turn up to a meeting and no one has arrived yet!

Wednesday’s the new Friday – Middle East

Don’t be surprised if you’re expected to turn up to work on a Sunday. In the Middle East, the working week tends to begin on a Sunday and end on a Thursday. However in some countries, it begins on a Saturday and ends on a Wednesday. Check with your employer so you can plan your weekends accordingly.

What’s on your expat bucket list?

paulsay@hsbc.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:02:30 PDT

Bucket List: ‘A number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.’

A couple of weeks ago, we asked our expat followers what was on their ‘Bucket List’ and we had some fantastic responses – so thanks to you all! We’ve taken inspiration from some of our favourites to draw up an ‘Expat Bucket List’ of our very own.

Image source: Flickr

#1 Learn a new word everyday (in another language!)

@EmptyNestExpat, “Learn a new language: Turkish”

As an expat, language will play a huge part in your life. Whether you speak one or five, living abroad gives you the chance to immerse yourself in language, body language and tone – something that a textbook just can’t provide you with. If you’re totally new to the country you’ll be amazed at the response.

#2 Visit a famous landmark

@JamesHardcastle, “Circumnavigate Australia with a trip to Ayres Rock – all on motorbike”

@AndriasBoone, “See the polar light”

@essentialerin, “I want to take a VW camper van all across Europe.”

#3 …or visit them all!

@TheExpatChap, “Travel to every country at least once. I’ve been to 89 so far.”

Embrace the limitless bucket list! Why stop yourself at just one landmark and one country when you can include them all? Try hanging a map of the world in you room you can then take pleasure in spending the rest of your life marking the places that you have visited.

#4 Take advantage of what your host country has to offer

@Spainforpleasure, “Watch FC Barcelona live, simply must do it before I leave Spain”

@louie113133, “I will have a pint in each of the 32 counties of Ireland.”

It’s notoriously hard to remain a tourist once you are settled in your host country; try not to lose sight of the wonderful things it has to offer. It might seem cliché but these are the things that make your host country great! If you’re moving to London make sure to go and see Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. If it’s Paris climb the Eiffel Tower and take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées.

#5 Set yourself an ‘ultimate’ goal

@themadkiwi1, “Find somewhere with a beach, good weather and job security then plants roots and become a local.”

@Nikiwebster85, “Kids in school, a partner and job that takes one to various countries / cultures and languages.”

At what point in your life do you think you could take a step back and say that you’ve accomplished everything that you wanted to? Think about it and when you’ve got that ideal picture aim for it. This could be anything, from building a business to having a family. It’s good to dream big so don’t hold back!

You can also look at a compilation of all the expat bucket lists we received from Twitter on our Hints & Tips tool here. Why not add your own?

Country in review: Vietnam

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:48:42 PDT

Image source: Flickr

Vietnam is rich in natural beauty, culture and heritage. There’s no arguing that the country has had a difficult past but in recent years it has sought to move on from historical events and establish itself as a country and tourism destination in its own right.

Thanks to the cost of living, lively culture and rapidly improving infrastructure Vietnam is also attracting expats in their droves. As a result, big cities such as Hanoi, are increasingly catering for foreign visitors with international bars and a wide range of international cuisine.

Picture source: Wikicommons

One of the most popular spots for tourists, expats and locals alike is the Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City - a 17^th Century market by the Saigon River where street vendors still ply their trade. Make sure you are good at bartering as there is no such thing as “final price”!

Picture source: Wikicommons

Like in many cities the best way to travel is on two wheels. This includes navigating your way around the twists and turns of a Vietnamese market! Motorbikes or mopeds will also give you the freedom to explore the surrounding areas and visit villages that aren’t within walking distance.

Source: Wikicommons

In the south, away from the noise and chaos of Vietnam’s cities, sits the world’s 12^th longest river: the Mekong. Taking a boat trip along its course will allow you to witness people at work on floating markets and fisheries.

Source: Wikicommons

We can’t possible write about Vietnam without acknowledging the food. Vietnamese cuisine is some of the healthiest in the world, thanks to the use of fresh fruit and vegetables and little oil or fats. Take advantage of street vendors and tiny stalls to give you a true taste of Vietnam.

Have you been an expat in, or visited Vietnam? Where are your favourite places to visit?

Guest Blogger Series: Introducing…Briana Palma

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:40:45 PDT

This week’s guest blogger takes us through some of the best cultural activities that Dublin has to offer.

Source: Flikr

Dublin has a vibrant pub culture that’s like no place else in the world and is on full display every day of the week. There are traditional spots that pour the perfect pint of Guinness and quirky locales that brew their own beers. But if you need a break from the beer and traditional music, check out these five cultural activities on offer in the Irish capital.

First Thursdays

With its pubs and clubs, the downtown area of Dublin is known as a hotspot for tourists, but it’s also home to plenty of small cultural venues. They all join forces on the first Thursday of the month and stay open late. About 50 different spaces take part, so you can walk door-to-door checking out all the great art on display and creative activities taking place. Each month there is also an organised tour that stops at a handful of venues where curators and artists share the stories of the exhibited works and the spaces that house them.

Milk and Cookie Stories

In Dublin, milk and cookies are more than just a snack for kids; a collective of the same name organises a monthly story time open-mic event. You can drop in to the Tuesday night sessions whether you have a story to share or simply want to listen to others’ tales and munch on the treats. Given the gift of the gab that most Irish people have (and the country’s great history of storytelling), it’s sure to be an entertaining way to spend your evening.

Jazz and wine

Source: Here

More and more Dubliners are trading their pints for pinot – at least once in a while. Downtown wine bars seem to be increasingly busier and new ones are popping up every so often, too. While you’ll frequently find a guitar-wielding musician at a traditional pub, the wine bars regularly host jazz bands to entertain the crowds.

International films and more

At a number of places around town, you can brush up on a foreign language by indulging in its cinema. The regional film institute hosts a number of festivals and special events throughout the year, often with a focus on different languages and cultures. If you like to go to the movies in grand old style, keep an eye on the schedule for the local orchestra, which occasionally plays music – sometimes as a live score for a screening – from old film favorites.

Dublin Flea Market

Source: Flikr

If you prefer the culture of yesteryear to that of today, then head to Dublin’s monthly flea market, where you can troll the stalls for vintage goodies. Taking place just west of the city center at Newmarket on the last Sunday of every month, Dublin Flea always has a fantastic mix of items, both old and new. There’s also food and drink to keep you going as you browse the stock of more than 60 vendors. Whether you go home with a retro bag or a new limited edition print – or nothing at all – the flea is a fun way to spend a Sunday, rain or shine.
About the author

Briana Palma is an American writer and editor based in Dublin. For more information on her work, visit www.brianapalma.com or follow her on Twitter @brianapalma.

Expat senses: Tastes

paulsay@hsbc.com — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:57:35 PDT

Welcome back to our series documenting the wonderful sensory experiences awaiting expats across the globe. So far, we’ve had a look at expat sights and sounds. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the interesting delicacies on offer worldwide.

Food is at the beating heart of all cultures and it is a fantastic way to learn more about a region. While we might all relish the search for the most authentic pizzeria in Naples or the best Southern grits, there are some rather more intrepid edible delights to be sampled on your travels. Sticking to the mantra that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, we have taken an eye opening look at some of the most weird and wonderful treats to fill the expat plate.

Mexico: Escamoles

Image source: Flickr

Despite having the appearance of a bowl of rice, this Mexican dish is actually the larvae of a giant black ant. The ‘insect caviar’ is harvested from the roots of the agave plant and is most commonly served in a taco loaded with salsa and guacamole. Culinary adventurers are often pleasantly surprised by its nutty, buttery taste and melt-in-the mouth consistency.

Japan: Fugu

Image source: Flickr

This Japanese delicacy of puffer fish is famous around the world, but not for its taste. Fugu contains a lethal dose of the poison tetrodotoxin, which is 1,200 times deadlier than cyanide. The toxin is so dangerous that it can only be prepared by chefs who have spent three years in training and passed an official test. However, while it is dangerous, it is also quite bland (supposedly) so we’ll leave it to you to weigh up the advantages of tucking in!

Thailand: Bugs

Image source: Flickr

While many people associate bugs and spiders more with fear than food, recent research has suggested that insects might actually become a staple part of the human diet in the future, as we are forced to look for alternative sources of protein. In Thailand, deep-fried critters are a popular snack and are to be found at street vendors all over Bangkok. It is the perfect place to go for a bout of immersion therapy. In case you are still feeling a little bit squeamish, just remember that they taste a bit like chicken; everything seems to at the end of the day.

What’s the strangest delicacy you’ve ever encountered? Were you brave enough to try it, and what did you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Country in review: Italy

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:15:10 PDT

Italy has so much to offer prospective expats. Its rich and fascinating culture means that it has so many ways of surprising and delighting anybody. Below we’ve detailed just a few of the best bits that you might care to enjoy.

Sights

Image source: Flickr

Thousands of years of culture mean that Italy has loads of amazing architecture, from the Colosseum in Rome to the Leaning Tower of Pisa - and that’s not forgetting the country’s natural wonders, such as Mount Etna in Sicily. However, not all sights have to stand still. The Palio di Siena is a thrilling horse race where each area of the city enters its own horse and rider to represent it. What’s more, all this excitement is preceded by a magnificent pageant.

Sounds

Image source: Flickr

Italy is the spiritual home of opera and the country has seen some legendary works. From Verdi to Puccini, the Italian opera scene has produced some of history’s greatest composers – and with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, some of the best performers too.

Smells

Image source: Flickr

We challenge you to think of anything that smells better than chocolate and if that’s your thing, then Umbria’s the place to be. Every year the region is host to Europe’s biggest chocolate festival, attracting almost a million visitors to the beautiful city of Perugia. And that’s not all – the area is also home to the famous Perugina chocolate factory.

Tastes

Image source: Wikicommons

Not only is Italy famous for its culinary creations but its ingredients are renowned for their quality, too, perhaps none more so than Sicilian lemons – the locals have a saying that lemons aren’t real lemons unless they’re Sicilian. However, inhabitants of the Amalfi Coast might beg to differ. Amalfitano lemons are totally different to their Sicilian cousins. If you want a sharp taste to contrast sugar, Sicilian lemons can’t be beaten. But if it’s a sweeter and subtler flavour you’re after, then the bigger Amalfitano lemons are the ones for you.

Feelings

Image source: Flickr

Europe can be a much more touchy-feely place than America and the UK and Italy is no different. Whether it’s kissing to greet each other or a greater love of hugs there’s certainly a lot more personal contact than many expats might be used to. But embrace it (literally) as it all comes from a place of love.

Guest blogger series: Introducing… Andrew Herweg

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:40:50 PDT

Our latest guest blogger, Andrew Herweg, discusses his experiences of becoming an expat in Italy and the UK.

Image source: Flickr

The first 24 hours in London

Moving abroad is never an easy task for anyone. I have done it twice, moving to Italy and the United Kingdom. Between those two moves, what is vividly implanted in my mind is my experience moving to the UK. So here is my story of the sensations and feelings I felt during my first 24 hours in London.

Important to note is that I had only been in the UK once prior for my sister’s wedding and my week-long stay consisted of me getting drenched on the Kentish coast. This was late June by the way. I figured it was the British cuisine and warm lager that won me over and gave me the motivation to move to London.

For me moving thousands of miles from home wasn’t terribly difficult. I had already done it when I moved to Italy for a year a few years prior. One of the drivers for me to move to the UK was that I had close family living there. Leading up to my move across the Atlantic, my parents were more nervous than me. From my perspective I was able to speak the language fluently (oh how I was wrong) and knew I could brave the wonderful weather the UK had to offer.

I arrived in the UK on a typical cloudy day. From the terminal, I then barely managed to carry my heavy luggage (I’m quite skinny and scrawny) onto the train and made my way to Victoria Station to be greeted by my sister who was kind enough to hail a cab. On my 30 min taxi ride to my student residence, I made the standard call to my parents letting them know I was alright. I was still in much of a travel daze during the taxi cab ride and simply took in the picturesque sights as we crawled past Hyde Park and along the Thames. Reality didn’t settle in for me till I stepped out of the taxi and threw my bags on the curb in from of my new residence.

It is always a learning/social experience moving into a new place, but moving back into the dorms at age 22 living with 17/18 year olds is something that feels oddly strange. Feeling exhausted from the travel and setting up my cell (dorm room), I hit the hay in the early evening. I remember waking up in the middle of the night, strangely stressed. Questions started to pop in my head, asking myself whether moving to the UK was the right choice? Would I make friends? Where is my university? And where exactly was I in London? After what seemed like an eternity, I battled my nerves and fell back to sleep.

The following morning I woke up and reflected on the night’s questions but what helped me answer those night terrors was international student orientation at my university which allowed me to meet people in the same situation as me. The friendships I made during orientation definitely helped me realise that I did in fact make to right choice to move to London.

It is never easy to pick-up everything in your life and move a few thousand miles away. For me, I was quite naïve and laid back. I guess you could call it the arrogance of youth. Looking back I will always remember those feelings I had when I first came here. The biggest lesson I learned was that it is perfectly normal to have doubts and nerves about moving abroad – whether before, during or after the move.

About the author

Andrew is a PR executive working in Central London. He can usually be found in an East London pub or the park (depending on the weather) discussing the finer points of international politics and West Ham Football Club. He tweets @aherweg.

Adjusting to life abroad

paulsay@hsbc.com — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:05:42 PDT

Picture source: Wikicommons

If you are already an expat you will know that moving abroad is big leap. It can be scary having to face a new country, culture and environment, especially if you are flying solo. Like any big change there are ways to make the transition period easier and in this post we explore some of the easiest and best ways to learn to love your new home.

Embrace it

Accepting that you are likely to experience a culture shock will make your move that bit easier. There’s no point in fighting against your new way of life… because it will win and leave you feeling frustrated and annoyed. Instead, embrace your host country and everything about it. Grab the opportunity to learn a new language, try new foods and adjust your daily activities to reflect your surroundings. For example, if you’ve moved to Spain why not take advantage of the relaxed afternoons and later evening meals?

Stick with it

Try to avoid falling at the first hurdle. There will be times when packing up and going home with your tail between your legs will seem much more appealing but remember…you are not alone! Use social networking sites to find other expats who are or have been in a similar position to yourself – they will be able to guide you through the adjustment and offer first hand advice. As well as the expat community, use the wider local community. If you speak the local language then talk to locals, they will help you find your way around and hopefully share their insider knowledge on great places to visit or hang out.

Explore it

There’s no better way to get to know a new place than getting out and experiencing it for yourself. Don’t bother with a map – unless there are specific sites you’re keen to see. Getting lost is always good fun and helps you find your bearings….eventually. A well as your local area try and venture a bit further afield to surrounding cities or even countries.

Think about it

Planning for accommodation should be something that you do ahead of your move. Where you live can make a real difference, especially if you are far away from local transport links or don’t have access to a vehicle. Think about being based somewhere where you can connect with locals or other expats. An area with a strong sense of local community will not only feel friendly but there’s likely to be activities for your to become involved in.

Ultimately, adjustment takes time but the rewards of sticking with it can be invaluable. Eventually your new expat destination will become your new home away from home…until the next time!

What helped you adjust to life abroad? Feel free to leave us a comment in the box below. Alternatively, help other expats by sharing your tips for a happy transition on our Hints & Tips site.

Expat Weather

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:25:05 PDT

Moving country brings with it lots of new changes and things to get familiar with. The weather system is one of the big changes expats have to get acclimatised to when settling in their host country. We take a look at some of the hottest and coldest countries to set up home.

Picture Source: Creative Commons

Results of our 2012 Expat Explorer survey have shown the Middle East to be a popular destination with expats looking for career opportunities and progression. However, this sun seekers’ paradise can get very hot. Temperatures are regularly over 40 degrees centigrade and occasionally have been known to creep up to over 50. Our survey revealed that expats based in the Middle East found it difficult to adjust to the weather conditions with 39% expats based in Saudi Arabia and 34% in Kuwait citing this to be the case. In temperatures like this, walking outside without shoes or touching metal objects during the middle of the day become just not possible.

Picture Source: Creative Commons

At the other end of the spectrum, expats can also find themselves in sub-zero temperatures, the kind of temperatures where you feel ice on your face and can stick to cold objects if you touch them. Russia and Canada, both popular expat destinations, have some particularly chilly conditions to say the least. In fact, Russia has just had one of the coldest winters on record with temperatures falling as low as -50 degrees. In these sorts of conditions, even turning off your car engine is risky as you may not get it re-started. Similarly, Canada is host to some tough winters. This year temperatures in Quebec fell to -40.3 so it’s not surprising that 30% of expats there found it difficult to adjust to the local weather.

Picture source: Creative Commons

Forget hot and cold, the sticky humidity that expats in some Asian countries face can be equally as tough to bear with clothes sticking to your body and sweat trickling down your face. Humidity levels sometimes reaching 95% and there have even been reports of mobile phones breaking due to the moisture. However, thanks to modern air conditioning humidity can be dealt with to some extent. Only 19% of expats in Singapore and 12% in Thailand reported finding it difficult to adjust to the local climate.

What is the temperature like in your expat location? What top tips do you have for expats to survive extreme temperatures? Leave us a comment below.

Expat Entrepreneur: Kristrun Hjartar founder of social fitness app, Starters

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:38:56 PDT

In the latest of our Expat Entrepreneur series, Kristrun Hjartar gives us an overview of her life as an Expat Entrepreneur and brains behind Starters, an app which helps people to exercise – no matter how busy they are!

1. Why did you decide to become an expat entrepreneur?

When I arrived in Shanghai, China, I had lost my community of friends to exercise with, was juggling a lot of work, and there was lack of high quality gyms near me. So I decided to design a solution for myself. At first I just designed prototype workouts for me and my friends who were also struggling to exercise, but when one of my best friends in the US with a bad back sent me an email telling me about how he improved, tears came to my eyes and I realized this is what I want to do – help get people healthy and happy. Starters grew from there.

2. If you could give one piece of advice to other expats setting up their own businesses, what would it be?

Be patient and find people you trust, even if this means taking longer or paying more (if you can). It can be hard to find people right away, especially if you have recently moved to a new place. Usually, you start out with a very small team, so capable people can make you or break you - I have been very fortunate to find people to work on my app. They all joined because our purpose aligned; we are all interested in helping people make a change to feel better and to live longer.

3. What challenges did you encounter when setting up your business and how did you overcome these?

There were few different challenges. One, I had never worked in this type of medium before – designing an app is very different from designing physical objects. However, I applied the same methodology. The other big challenge is speed of development. As a small bootstrapped company, speed and nimbleness is important but hard to maintain due to lack of resources.

4. What common mistakes do expats, in general, make when setting up their business?

Expats or not, I think it’s as important to prototype your brand / message as it is to prototype your product. The two is intertwined. Start it early. Start a blog, get on social media and have a conversation with the world. Also, take time for yourself. It’s easy to get wrapped up 24/7 in what you are developing and you treat it like your baby. However, getting out of the office, learning the native language and getting to know the local people is important to not miss out on important experiences that will certainly influence you and your business.

5. What resources did you find useful or tapped into to get your business off the ground?

I was really lucky to have very experienced co-founders next to me – they’ve been super inspiring and helpful on many fronts. I also talk to my friends who have experience building a business. There are so many great blogs and books as well, but it will only guide you, it won’t teach you – you have to do and learn and iterate.

6. What would you do differently if you could do it again?

I would have started conversations with the world from the beginning to build awareness and engage with lots of different people earlier. I would also do more bare bone prototypes for a little longer with a small group, and build from there. Another thing I think all expats should do is take advantage of local entrepreneur organizations and events to tap into the local network to advance personally and professionally.

About Kristrun Hjartar

Kristrun Hjartar is the founder of Starters, a social fitness app for busy people who don't have time for the gym or don't know where to start. For more information visit: http://starte.rs/

Country in review: Hong Kong

paulsay@hsbc.com — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:06:40 PDT

As the world becomes ever more connected, different cultures are coming together in a variety of ways. Nowhere is this more true than in Hong Kong, where east meets west creating a spectacular fusion of cultures.

This cultural synergy is perhaps most obvious in the food. From delicate dim sum to Michelin-starred restaurants, there really is something for everyone. One great area that expats tend to forget is North Point – a great location for authentic Chinese food, both local and from the mainland.

No expat experience is complete in Hong Kong without visits to the city’s famous cha chaan tengs, neighbourhood restaurants serving comfort foods with no-nonsense service. Patrons of cha chaan tengs go for a variety of fusion culinary delights, which can include pork-based soup noodles with a fried egg and chicken wings, baked pineapple buns with a generous dollop of butter or fresh beef, tomato and egg sandwich washed down with a yin-yang (coffee and tea, mixed in the same cup).

Image source: Flickr

The island is also great for shopping. Causeway Bay is great for familiar western styles and Stanley Market – while a bit ‘touristy’ – is a great place to buy all of your gifts for those back home. Venture over to Mongkok in the evening and you’ll find that Ladies’ market is similarly exciting.

Image source: Flickr

It’s not all about city-dwelling of course. If scenery’s your thing, take a tram up to the Peak and enjoy stunning views of the entire island. Or if you’re more of an active sort, try some water sports in Tai Po or watch the weekly races at Happy Valley.

Image source: Flickr

Indeed, no post about Hong Kong would be complete without mentioning the beaches. Deep Water Bay is really popular amongst the locals and we think this picture goes to show why!

Image source: Flickr

Celebrating Easter

paulsay@hsbc.com — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:32:18 PDT

With Easter just around the corner, we thought we would take a look at how this holiday is celebrated from country to country.

Source: Wikicommons

In Germany it is customary for people take part in the ‘Egg Dance’. This involves laying eggs on the ground and dancing around them whilst trying not to break the eggs – not as easy as it sounds we’re sure! It is also common for people to hang brightly coloured eggs from trees as opposed to countries such as the UK where eggs are hidden away to be found.

Over in Greece, it is popular to paint eggs red before using them to make Easter bread called Tsoureki whilst in village of Vrontados, on the island of Chios, it’s fireworks that take centre stage. Well, rockets actually. Just before Easter Sunday, two Orthodox churches fire rockets at each other in an attempt to hit the bells in the opposite tower creating a fantastic display that’s watched by the whole island.

In the UK it is tradition that on the Thursday before Easter, the Queen gives away Maundy Money which in modern times is a specially minted coin given to certain individuals. The value of the coin is always equal to the Queens age so this year it will be 86 pence.

Finally, and one for foodies to note is in the town of Haux in France, there is an Easter Monday tradition of serving up a giant omelette. This is not just any omelette but a 4,500-egg omelette that feeds 1,000 people. This feast apparently dates back to Napoleonic times when Napoleon travelled through the town and decided he liked the omelettes so much he ordered the town to make a giant omelette for his army the next day.

What are Easter celebrations like in your country? How does being an expat make Easter different? Leave us a comment in the box below.

Traditional remedies from around the world

paulsay@hsbc.com — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:06:09 PDT

Illness is a great leveller. No matter where you are in the world, or how hard the sun is shining, a bad cold can really stop you in your tracks. But what do you do if you have just moved to a new country and haven’t had time to stock up your medicine cabinet? Or worse still, you don’t know where the nearest pharmacy is?

When it comes to moving abroad, nothing can beat planning ahead (that goes for sorting out the location of your nearest hospital and doctor’s surgery too). However, for centuries people have been relying on natural ingredients to help them on the path to recovery. In this post, we take a look at some interesting home remedies from around the world.

Source: Wikicommons

Ginger is a pain relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant and has been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid and remedy for nausea. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is used to relieve cold and flu symptoms including headaches and coughs. It can also come crystallised for those with a sweet tooth.

Source: Wikicommons

Garlic has been used as a home remedy for many years to fight cold symptoms. The cold-fighting compound in garlic is thought to be allicin, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Allicin is what gives garlic its distinctive hot flavor. Ginger is easy to come by and is used in a variety of cuisines from Japanese, Thai to French.

Source: Wikicommons

Chili peppers are packed with vitamin C, which is a good for a strong immune system. When it comes to medicinal qualities, chilies are believed to treat a range of illnesses, including arthritis, due to the compound capsaicin that acts as an anti-inflammatory. However, beware of using too much of this fiery little fruit in food if you can’t take spice!

Source: Wikicommons

Honey isn’t just good on a sore throat. This sweet treat has antibacterial properties and is used to treat wounds and infections. Manuka honey in particular is thought to be beneficial for use on minor burns when applied in a thin layer directly in to the affected area. Just try not to lick it off!

Back in September of last year, Gillian Kemmerer blogged about combatting illness abroad. Check it out for some additional tips on keeping healthy in your new home.

You may want to try out some of these home remedies, however, always be sure to check with a medical professional first.

Expat senses: sounds

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 05:05:11 PDT

Welcome to the second instalment in our five part series on Expat Senses. Last time we brought you some of the best sights from around the world, including the amazing Bolivian salt flats. This week, it’s the turn of the ears, so listen up for a selection of amazing sounds from across the globe.

Source: Wikicommons

It’s perhaps no surprise that one of the most intriguing places on earth is also the noisiest. The main square in Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is an affront to all of the senses but the sheer melting pot of sounds is arguably most magical aspect of this bustling market. From the horns of the snake charmers to the cries of the stall owners you could be forgiven for thinking you had travelled back in time. To add to the constant hum of noise, five times a day the call to prayer echoes around the square from the tower of the Koutoubia Mosque.

Source: Wikicommons

At its loudest point, the roar of the Niagara Falls can reach up to 95 decibels, which is almost as loud as fully amplified rock band! However, despite the magnitude of this natural beauty, the sound of the crashing water is often recorded and used as a means of relaxation.

Source: Flickr

On top of an artificial mountain in Bangkok, Thailand sits the Golden Mount, or Wat Saket. There are 318 stairs exhausting stairs which lead to the dome of the temple and the way is paved with large iron bells. It’s common practice for every bell to be rung on the way up to the top creating a cacophony of noise that can be heard even as you approach the base.

Source: Wiki commons

Do you think you have noisy neighbours? Think again. In the jungles of South and Central America you will find the black howler monkey swinging through the trees. This species of monkey has been crowned loudest mammal on earth and according to the record books their vocalisations can be heard clearly for three miles.

Next week, a treat for the taste buds as we take a look at the tastiest (and most interesting) treats from around the world!

Expat senses: Sights

paulsay@hsbc.com — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:08:40 PDT

Welcome to the first of our new series on expat senses. Over the next few weeks we’ll be writing posts on all five of the senses (touch, taste, sight, smell and sound), beginning this week with the best expatsights around the world.

Expats know best that the world is a huge and amazing place, full of all sorts of fascinating sights. The only way to see them all is to get out there and visit them. Below, we’ve highlighted three great sights that we think everyone should go and see at least once.

Bagan, Myanmar (Image source: Flickr)

Paris, London, New York… cities can be truly beautiful. It seems that this was always the case, as the ruins in Athens and Rome serve to show us. However, these are by no means the only beautiful cities of the ancient world. Over 2,000 beautiful pagodas and temples are still standing in Bagan after around 1,000 years.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Image source: Flickr)

Beauty isn’t always man-made, however. For those who like their landscapes entirely natural, few can feel as calming as the salt flats in Bolivia. The salts lie so flat and are so bright that you can actually see the sky reflected off of the ground.

Fly Geyser, Nevada, US (Image source: Flickr)

We also wanted to include something a bit more weird and wonderful and the Fly Geyser in Nevada really ticks that box. This little-known attraction was created by well drilling almost a century ago, and started spouting water in the 1960s. The strange and magnificent mound you see here is made from minerals dissolved in this water that have collected over the years.

This is just a small taster of the sorts of great sights that expats get to see. Is there anything you think we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments. Next in the series, we’ll be discussing Expat Sounds.

If you could only take 3 things to your host country, what would they be..?

paulsay@hsbc.com — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:40:30 PDT

Thanks to all of you that took part in last week’s #QOTD. It’s always great for us to get into the minds of our expat followers! We’ve posted some of our favourite tweets below but the results were surprisingly similar, with most choosing to take loved ones and pets – what a nice bunch!

What have you found it difficult to live without in your new country? Perhaps you have some tips to help new expats cope with life abroad?

We’re always pleased to hear from you so feel free to get in touch via @expatexplorer or leave us a comment in the box below.

Café Culture

paulsay@hsbc.com — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:54:24 PDT

Moving to a new country is a great way to freshen up your social life, as you’ll need to develop a new group of friends to hang out with in your new home. Cafés are a great place to meet people and different communities enjoy their coffee in really different ways. To help you find a café culture that’s perfect for you, we've detailed three of the best places in the world to find amazing cafés.

Image source: Twitter

Paris, France

Paris is home to perhaps the most famous café culture in the world, and deservedly so. We’re not sure that there’s a better way to while away an afternoon than by sipping a café au lait on the Champs Élysées. To be honest, in the summer any pavement café will do.

Rome, Italy

Espresso, macchiato, cappuccino…the list goes on! Italy is responsible for many of the greatest innovations in the history of coffee and where better to enjoy them all than Rome. Only there can you down a quick espresso and then rush off to take in the Coliseum.

Wellington, New Zealand

Over the last few years, New Zealand has undergone a bit of a coffee revolution and its baristas have been consistently rating in the top ten at world competitions since 2002. However, New Zealand’s coffee scene is perhaps most famous for its pioneering of the flat white – a creamy textured treat that is fast gaining popularity all over the world.

How do you like your coffee and where do you go to drink it? Let us know in the comments below.

Guest blogger series: Introducing…Aisha Ashraf

paulsay@hsbc.com — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:00:15 PST

In our latest guest blogger series Aisha Ashraf discusses the challenges and rewards of expat life in Canada.

Picture source: Wikicommons

Two and a half years ago, I moved my family across the pond to Canada from the UK. With three rapidly growing small children, life was too short to spend long periods of time apart whenever my husband took a foreign assignment – we made the decision to stick together. Neither he nor I was new to the expat game, both having first expatriated as children, but we’d been fairly settled for a long time so we steeled ourselves for the onslaught of culture shock and hit the ground running, creating a new life from scratch in a country we’d never seen and where we knew no one.

During that first year, I put so much pressure on myself to return a verdict on my new location; “So, do I like Canada?” “Can I see myself settling here?” “Which is better here or home?” The months passed by like milestones; first three, then six, a year, and I expected a comprehensive understanding to have crystallised, an opinion, a preference. But expat life isn’t that cut and dried.

The beauty of it is that, years in, even when you think you’ve grasped the nettle, there are still more experiences to be had - deeper nuances to the molten emotion that bubbles hotly, just below the surface of your day-to-day life. You learn to question the concepts of identity, belonging, and nationalism. Somehow, those cozy little social constructs now seem limiting instead of comforting.

A quick-fire, Canadian-accented response still has the power to momentarily floor me, and we’re still discovering different ways of doing things, but after thirty months here without a visit to the UK, my thoughts have taken a new direction. I find myself intrigued by how my old home would look to me through my Canadian tinted retinas.

Canada’s multi-lane roads that I compared to “crossing continents” in my early blog posts are now the norm. Would British ones feel like a tight squeeze? Have I lost the ability to parallel park? Would the weather depress me? The UK newspapers are reporting temperatures of minus three as “bitterly cold”, it made me laugh out loud – it’s minus twenty-six here today.

How about my beautiful home, the newly refurbished dream-house that I found such a wrench to leave – would it seem claustrophobic after the open-plan housing favored by North Americans? Would I feel like a fish out of water or slip smoothly back into my old space?

My new life has changed me in a million different ways. I’ve developed new angles and depth. I don’t know if I could fit back into that space even if I wanted to. Expat life forces you to develop your identity in ways you’re never pushed to at home.

Here, by comparison, people wait expectantly for you to paint a picture of yourself, “Where are you from?’ “Why did you move?” “British huh? Does everyone really have bad teeth there?” All those assumptions and social boundary lines are exposed for the useless and demeaning attitudes they are. When people see you differently, it helps you to see yourself differently. And suddenly there’s a whole lot of potential you never noticed before…

About the author

Aisha Isabel Ashraf is a freelance writer and author of the popular blog Expatlogue, where she can be found strung out on caffeine, humorously dissecting the peculiarities of Canadian life for her own amusement and the benefit of future generations. She can be found on Twitter @AishaAshraf1 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/expatlogue.