English Bookshops in Paris
Paris is a city of bookshops, but is even spoiled for English bookshops. It seems despite the heyday of the writers of the left bank being long over, If the number of English bookshops is anything to go by, Paris remains a firm global hub of literature. As a bookworm, or in French, rat de bibliotheque (library rat), this pleases me greatly. Are you looking for English books in Paris? Here’s where you need to go. Shakespeare and Company Probably the most famous of the English Paris bookshops, Shakespeare and Company, opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, has long been attracting book fans due to it’s history as a gathering place…
Sunshine Coast Dreamtime – the legend of Mount Coolum
I’m not sure this is true of all expats, but I’ve always felt a bit more ‘local’ (on setting up home in a new place) once I learn about the stories behind my new local place names. Local mythology and storytelling varies greatly around the world but, especially in places with a long history, there is almost always an interesting story to be discovered. Take the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, just north of Brisbane and where I am currently based, for example. The region has a glorious coastline of epic surf beaches and wetlands, rivers, mountains, and further inland rainforest and waterfalls. The landscape really is very special. So, imagine…
Australia, the next chapter – Farewell Esperance
The start of this new year has been especially exciting because 2015 will be a year of big change for me. Having been living in Western Australia for almost four years, this year (next month, no less!) I’m moving to Queensland. Firstly, apologies to friends in Europe. I am are aware this is not the return to Europe you have been asking about! Those without much experience of Australia may think ‘big deal, moving within Australia. How different can it be?’ and having previously lived in other countries, I can understand this. It wasn’t until I had lived in Australia for a few months that I truly understood distance, from an Australian…
Another country, another expat birthday
It was my birthday this week, my third in Australia, and it made me think how different birthdays feel when you are an expat. I’m a strong believer in the many benefits of spending some time living as an expat. However, expat birthdays are not for the faint-hearted. Cultural birthday differences For a start there can be different traditions. In Turkey young boys must approach birthdays with at least a bit of trepidation because, as exciting as a rite of passage might be, being circumcised sounds daunting to say the least. I can’t remember the number of times in Turkey, I would be distracted from whatever I was doing by…
Will Australia make an honest woman of me?
Australia swelled with even more national pride than normal last weekend in celebration of Australia Day. With January 26 being a Sunday, Monday was declared a public holiday and Australia basked (read ‘melted’) in the sunshine for a long weekend. Australia Day is widely promoted as an opportunity to appreciate the much-celebrated privilege of living in Australia, to understand and respect cultural differences and take pride in the country’s multicultural society. As a colleague put it however, it is also a chance to ‘get your bogan on’ and go around shouting “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!” while sculling beer. Australians are frequently accused of being racist and interestingly, a few weeks before…
What does it cost to be an expat?
Although many expats leave their home countries for employment purposes, many relocate for the different lifestyle options. Either way, before deciding to move overseas it is always important to consider your financial position, both the one you are leaving and the one you are moving towards. This guide will help you make informed choices. Having the option to move abroad is exciting! There may be a new language to learn, the destination culture could be hugely different from that of your home country, perhaps the weather is better? These are all significant factors that will play a huge part in determining the success of your expat life, however the one…
The things I love about Australia, and the things I don’t
Australia is a great place to live and work. Australia offers a great standard of living and is so vast there is a climate to suit everyone. As with everywhere however, some bits are less great. Here are the things I love about Australia and the things I don’t. Things I love about Australia ‘Fair go’ thinking Australia is a country of immigrants. Aside from the native aboriginals everyone else has come here from somewhere else and this makes Australians a diverse bunch. Australian society, as a result, is multicultural and lives by the principle of giving everyone a fair go. If you say you are capable of something you…
Australia – Two Years on
I realised last week that I have now been in Australia for just over two years. When I can so clearly remember the chaos of leaving London and the wave of fatigue that hit me when I arrived in Brisbane it seems incredible that two entire years have passed. Read on for an idea of what two years in Australia feels like. The Plan and the reality When I came to Australia the plan was to spend a year here and travel around the country. Rather unexpectedly, due to a job opportunity, I ended up in rural Western Australia, just about as far away from family and friends as possible…
Reasons to move to London
As if the Queen living there wasn’t enough! London is a vibrant and modern city that continuously reinvents itself and stays on top of trends. The city is a den of activity with an array of sports available alongside areas of historical significance and just about every cuisine is available. Why not move to London? City life is not for everybody but London has something that will charm everyone. Here are a few reasons to make London your home, even if only temporarily. Multicultural City London is a city of many people from many places. It is a multi-cultural society with most nationalities represented. This means London is a fairly…
Expat Banking
Living overseas can make managing your finances difficult at times, especially when you have significant ongoing expenses in your home country. Fortunately there are various ways to send money internationally. Here are a few I have used (and a chance to win a hamper of sweets!) With the increasingly global movement of people these days the ability to transfer money internationally is more important than ever before. Whether it is to keep on top of mortgage payments or simply to send Christmas or birthday gifts, as soon as you become an expat, and even in the planning stages ahead of a move abroad, the need to be able to control…
