Vilcabamba, Ecuador: The Valley of Longevity

Centenarians in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula

Panama: Shangri-La Valley
“Live long and prosper.” In the famed Star Trek series, it was the typical Vulcan salute. And that brings Volcan to mind. What better place in Panama to seek long life and live off the grid?

Optimism and purpose, a low stress level, a natural diet and an active lifestyle…experts say those factors are three times as important as your genetic makeup when it comes to enjoying a long and healthy life. Luckily, it’s easy to embrace those elements when you’re living in a place where they come naturally. And they do in our top picks for the world’s healthiest places to live.

According to the Latin Business Chronicle’s annual Latin Business Index (released this week), Panama is the number one country in the region for doing business. Last year, Panama just barely missed nabbing the number one spot on the index—it went to Chile, which swapped places with Panama to rank second this year.
 

According to a report carried out by ORC Worldwide, a human resources consulting company, expats in Bangalore, Bangkok, Delhi, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo regard traffic as their biggest problem, with many facing congestion every day.

Despite the recent worldwide economic slowdown, globalisation is stimulating the growth of expatriate employment internationally with South African companies also getting in on the act as they seek to grow their footprints in the rest of Africa and further afield.

Nine out of 10 British expatriates believe they enjoy a better quality of life abroad according to the third annual NatWest International Personal Banking (NatWest IPB) Quality of Life Report. According to the report, when it comes to living and working overseas the advantages come thick and fast. Working hours are far less intensive and expats say they manage to achieve a better work/life balance with much more leisure time.

Singapore continues to offer the best living environment for Asian assignees, according to the latest Location Ratings for expatriate living conditions published by ECA International, the world’s leader in the development and provision of solutions for the management and assignment of employees around the world. This is the 11th year in a row that Singapore has held pole position.
 

This article is a follow up of our previous article “How To Decide Where You Want to Live Abroad
”. You can use the following checklist to make sure you have thought about, researched, tried, tested and considered every important angle and aspect of your country choice:

Lots of people nowadays that decide to go live abroad, move to a country they fell in love during their holiday but forget that nowhere is like a holiday paradise all the time – what’s more, you cannot sustain the holiday lifestyle 24/7, 365 days of the year. Try it and you’ll get bored before you burn out!
So, in this report we’re going to break down how you can decide where you want to live abroad – all of the decisions you need to bear in mind, the facts you need to research, the criteria that can make or break a decision, and a checklist you can follow to help you decide where you would like to live abroad for life…
 

Robin Pascoe shares an excerpt from her book "A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife's Guide to Successful Living Abroad". She offers advice for new expat spouses.

Most people are prepared to experience some effects of ‘culture shock’ when they embark on an assignment abroad. However, not many are prepared to experience similar effects when they return to their home country. What is a ‘reverse culture shock’? Does it really exist, what are the signs, do we need to prepare for it and how?

Good social relationships play a key role in a good quality of life. In fact, the recent study from Flinders University in South Australia shows that meaningful reciprocal relations with friends are more important to our well-being than spending time with our family! Newcomers are in the best position to start working on staying well and healthy until very old age.

As Asia leads the financial sector recovery, the West is raising taxes and cracking down on bonuses: it’s no wonder that banks in Asia are still receiving plenty of CVs from London and New York.

NEW DELHI: More than half of Indian companies feel that hiring expat employees proved beneficial as it gave them a competitive advantage over others, as per a global survey of business leaders by payment solutions provider Western Union.

Although the growth in expatriate assignments slowed significantly during 2007 and 2008, economic growth in newly industrialized countries is picking up in 2009. With increasing GDP-figures a growing number of expatriates are sought to fill managerial positions in developing economies. Despite the increased demand for expatriate employment, expatriate failure rates remain high and costly.

If you are planning on moving abroad, if you are like most people, high on your list of priorities is likely to be getting some form of cellular service up and running as soon as possible once you hit the ground. Sure, these days, your current cell phone service will probably work in your new country of residence but after you get your first roaming bill, you probably will wish that it hadn’t.

Basic financial foundations are often overlooked by expats, but they are important for those living outside their own country.

Expat children experience the world in a different way to most people.

December and January are usually some of the slowest months of the year for companies hiring across the globe. In some countries, very little business is done at all in December. As a result it is often said that you can't make much progress in a job search during the holiday season.
 

If you are an expatriate, Thailand is the best country to find love - however, it's also one of the hardest places for learning the local language.

The recent Expat Mood Monitor from Halifax International has delved into the psyches of British expats to reveal what they miss most and how best to cope with the longing.
Relocating to another country can be a daunting experience for some but can also be filled with the thoughts of things left behind. Unsurprisingly, the weather did not rate high on the miss list.
 

So you landed that exciting assignment abroad! Most transfers take place between May and September and according to U.S. News & World Report, as many as 400,000 employees relocate internationally each year.

Is an expat’s biggest mistake failing to plan before they move abroad? Is it picking the wrong country or not getting their money in order before they relocate? No, it’s being too eager to fit in.

Moving countries is a great challenge for adults, but for teenagers it’s even harder. That shouldn’t discourage you from moving, particularly if relocation opens new opportunities for the whole family. What you will need is awareness of what to expect, planning, extra effort and lots of patience.

Understanding the culture of the parties you are negotiating with is vital in order to establish a successful business relationship.

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia seem to be lucky when compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world. While countless surveys this year reported that expatriates in other countries were feeling the pinch of the recession, some even considering relocating to their homelands, they also noted that the Kingdom’s expats were more stable and were staying put.

The global recession is certainly having a financial impact on all our lives, however most expats will not let this come between them and their new life living and working abroad. There’s no doubt about it, the global financial crisis has taken its toll on us all.  Expatriates around the world are reportedly attempting to spend less, save more towards a rainy day fund and are cutting back on luxuries and essentials in a bid to afford a rising cost of living, and to cope in the event that things get even tougher, financially speaking.

Almost half of new expatriates leave China early because they have difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle, a consultancy firm said.

Over two thirds of expatriates are able to save more money when they move to live and work abroad, but how and where do they save and invest their hard earned wealth for maximum growth? According to one of the most influential studies of expatriates globally, over two thirds of the world’s international citizens are able to save far more intensively once they have moved abroad, directly as a result of their expatriate status.

A new study suggests that people from different cultures read facial expressions differently.

Picture an iceberg in your mind. Imagine, you are on a ship sailing towards an iceberg that is off in the distance. What exactly do you feel as it looms ever larger? Are you primarily occupied with the visible part or do you also wonder about what lies below the surface?

As more or more people from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and religions immigrate to foreign lands, those countries become an intercultural melting pot. In order for the native people and the immigrant population to blend and create a thriving and successful atmosphere both sides need to develop some sort of intercultural tolerance and understanding of the differences that may exist between them.

Until a few years ago relocations were a relatively simple business. Companies selected their most career-oriented employees, got them to pack a few belongings and move with their family to the other side of the globe. The relocations and international assignment business has come a long way since then. As globalization steadily continues, companies are now more cost conscious than ever and it has become imperative for companies to evolve.

Does she still exist? The traditional expat women, who plays tennis and has drinks with other expat women? It seems that this stereotype is disappearing. Most of the expat women want to continue their own careers when they are abroad.

We have become a nation of nomads. Even countries to which we would once never have considered moving, such as Turkey and North Africa, are now welcoming our exiles. We'll go anywhere, it would seem, guaranteed to have a bit of sun and where we can buy a seafront chalet or farmhouse for less than the price of a two-bedroom flat in almost any UK town.

Despite the global economic crisis, the demand for highly skilled professionals still exists. Many companies realize that they must  still pay their professionals well if they want to stay ahead in the war for good talent. If you are clear on your unique value (or personal brand) and have communicated it effectively to the decision-makers, then you should feel confident about negotiating for a relocation package from a position of strength.

In every culture, mom's have certain rights-of-passage which help them link to other mothers in their community. For example, in America, a mother may laugh with her friends as they recount the day their oldest children went to Kindergarten. A new outlet for moms to connect with other moms has popped up over the last couple of years with the growing popularity of social websites like facebook, twitter, and blogs where people share their everyday moments with their following friends.

The medical sector of Saudi Arabia is large and very modern. The severe reputation of the company however makes that the companies don’t explore the opportunities.  It’s a shame, say 2 Dutch entrepreneurs: “I find the Saudi Arabian people very open.”

Almost 90 per cent of expatriate workers in the Middle East think the social norms of a country have an impact on their working life, says new research.

Tips for expats and organisations on managing a successful relocation back home.
Companies are becoming increasingly aware that repatriation remains one of the most challenging aspects of relocation.

Saudi Arabia is home to a variety of expat workers – a mixture of skilled, semi-skilled and professional foreign workers. Many entrepreneurial expatriates have successfully started their own businesses in the Kingdom. However, an expatriate seeking to start a business should do so only through the legal channels. Failure to do so can lead to serious consequences.
 

Two thirds of Britons living abroad say their children are receiving better education overseas, research has revealed.

Late this month, my son will be among thousands of British teenagers who are starting university. His arrival at Exeter would not justify a mention, except that James is fairly unusual. In his 18 years, he has spent only a few weeks in Britain. Born in New York, he has lived mostly in France and Belgium so he sounds like Inspecteur Clouseau. I am taking him across the Channel for his first visit to a pub. He is worried about the food but he has heard that les petites anglaises are fun.

More than 80% of expatriate employees said they were happy they had come to Qatar, according to a jobs and employment survey.
 

There seems to be a general consensus of ill-informed opinion in the media at the moment, and that’s that because we’re in a recession people have put off their dreams of moving abroad.  Actually, the truth is so far from this belief!  Because job security is a thing of the past, ever-inflating house prices have succumb to reality and logic, the economy has been sunk and things aren’t likely to get better any time soon, so more people are deciding that actually, they’d be far better off abroad.

The Moroccan market is attractive for entrepreneurs and investors because of the strategic location on the junction between Mediterranean sea, Europe and the African Coast. A local partner makes doing business a lot easier. Essential is to keep in mind the Moroccan interests and cultural differences. Who truly wants to be an entrepreneur has to show commitment.

Children of expatriates and immigrants have the advantage of getting to know multiple languages and cultures en through here a broader look at the world. But the flip side of the coin is missing family and sometimes the loss of their mother tongue and alienation of the domestic culture, says a survey of the Dutch World Broadcasting System with nearly 700 respondents.

"Emotions are there. Communication without obvious feelings is simply not possible. When a Brazilian person is mad that it is shown immediately. You don’t have to guess at there feelings- it oozes.” Speaking is Flávia Witmer the Brazil expert in the team of Expertise in Labour Mobility and born in  Brazil from a Dutch father and a Brazilian mother.

Overseas life can be stressful, but few employers are helping expats achieve work/life balance.

Expatriate perks are fast disappearing. 'Localising' their packages is a trend that started several years ago and has picked up pace in these lean times, executive search consultants say.
 

The number of expat women satisfied with their working environment has tripled in the past year, reveals a recent Expatica survey.

In his latest book ‘Africa: the politics of Suffering and Smiling’ Patrick Chabal talks about the perspective of the hopeless classes.

The biggest secret I have found to moving is to stay calm, my stomach always used to churn every time we would say: ‘Let’s look at moving to London, Perth, Colorado….’ I would have this rush in the pit of my stomach and wonder how we were going to cope with the challenge.

Want the good life despite the dire economy? Head east, according to a survey showing some of the world's highest-paid expatriates live in Asia and the Middle East.

Restrictions have been imposed on the working hours of foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain due to high summer temperatures. The restrictions prohibit all outdoor work between midday and 4 pm in Bahrain until September.

With fluctuating exchange rates and companies less willing to keep expats on their payroll, the economic landscape for expats is changing drastically. Expatriates have always been known for their ability to adapt to new cultures and contexts but the current financial crisis may prove to be the biggest challenge yet for internationals.

Perseverance and positive thinking is always important to succeed abroad, but the love for the country is typical when people talk about India.

Because of the worldwide recession the multinationals cut their expenses on expats. And the governments also impede more and more on a international career.

Dutch CIO is more often prevalent in management than CIOs in other countries.

Learning the local language is essential. However, one expat tells of the frustrations of studying French in Bahrain, Spanish in Argentina and German in Switzerland

Most expats find it difficult to return to the Netherlands. A special period in their working life comes to an end. It is, however, even more difficult when working abroad ends abruptly as is now the case in times of economic crisis.

A new book offers sound advice for grandparents and parents alike on how to make sure you don't leave family members behind when you move abroad.
As the world appears to get smaller, families are increasingly offered the opportunity to move abroad and experience some of that fabled expat life. Whilst preparations for this exciting yet daunting adventure progress, families often forget to take into account what could happen to those left behind.

When can you say you’ve finally integrated and become part of the expat furniture wherever in the world you’re now living?

One expat tells of the heartache - and joy - of being part of a family that has made a habit of moving to new frontiers

Many parents who want to pursue an international career assignment or educational opportunity may feel that they cannot or should not because moving abroad may be detrimental to their children. However, research suggests that such fears are unfounded. In fact, international exposure at an early age appears to have an enduring impact that positively shapes both children and adults.

Your spouse has been offered a job and the move seems exciting and full of possibilities. Then you find out you won't be able to work. Maybe your skills aren't transferable, or maybe the new country has employment restrictions. Whatever the case, you're about to join the ranks of the unemployed abroad, otherwise known as trailing spouses.

One of the biggest concerns of people who want to migrate to other country is the quality of life that the country would offer. Does the country offers in favorable job? Does it have a balanced cost of living? Is economy moving well? Those are just examples of the concern of people who want to experience new environment.

Africa is rich in raw materials, but on the spot materials are seldom processed. Nigeria, with 140 million  inhabitants is the most densely populated country on the continent, is one of the places were it is starting to change. The domination of the oil sector is slowly decreasing.

3 Dutch entrepreneurs share their experiences in Ethiopia. One of the most important characteristics of an Ethiopian is his pride. Long and bureaucratic trails do exist in the country so you will need diplomacy, tact and patience to be able to work in Ethiopia. Relationships are really important, you are who you know!

Minimizing Schooling Challenges When Repatriation is Abrupt

Whilst the Disney film “Homeward Bound: The incredible Journey,” about 2 dogs and a cat who travel overland by themselves from Oregon to California may be a fine example of the cheapest way to transport your pets long distances, it does have some inherent flaws and is not to be recommended for real animal lovers.

With more and more Brits looking to work overseas, one option that’s becoming increasingly more attractive is working in the Gulf States where salaries can be higher and taxes are certainly lower.  One option is working in Bahrain.

Living abroad teaches us so many things, but the most important are those learned about ourselves. Some would be good to know ahead of time, while others can only be learned through experience.

Moving day is getting closer! Before you leave, there are so many things to be taken care of. You're worried about forgetting something? Well, don't worry! For your serenity and peace of mind, we have put together a detailed checklist. This checklist will help you plan everything you need to take care of whilst preparing your departure.

Dutch expat partners who live abroad can further develop their multicultural skills (Cultural Empathy, Open-mindedness, Social Initiative, Emotional Stability and Flexibility) through focused and personal coaching.

A 33-country study puts India at the top of nations likely to keep hiring in the April-June quarter of 2009. South Africa came in second

People who live abroad are different than those who have not traveled. International employers recognize this and so do the expat families who make a living overseas. I remember being uneasy meeting diplomats when traveling to Lagos, Nigeria on my first excursion outside my home province of New Brunswick, Canada. These diplomats alarmed me with their ―”we are different than you” attitude. But after a few encounters, I realized that they were different, their spouses were different, and even their children were different. Their unique set of skills set them apart from the average North American. I now identify these unique skills and traits with the term ―International IQ.
 

Living as expat in Asia can be both a challenge as well as an interesting and meaningful change. Those who have sampled life in Asia have met both the lavish exotic delights offered by tropical countries and the like and exotic ways of life. One must take note that life in Asia is never really meant for everyone. Some people from the west find it quite difficult to live as an expat in Asia while some have no problem adjusting.

With populations topping one billion and economies growing at a rapid pace, China and India are finding themselves in need of qualified managers. Draeger explores the tactics employers in these emerging markets are taking to locate and hire critical talent—even if it means going overseas to find it.

For the thousands of people who leave the UK each year and head for a new life in India, the world's largest democracy is certainly no third world option. The growing numbers of British expatriates living in Mumbai (Bombay) - locally known as the Manhattan of the East - say that life here is not a cheap alternative.

When people decide to work and live abroad, it may seem like they are only making the decision for themselves. But in truth, most expats make the decision with their family’s welfare in mind. This is especially true for expats who bring their children along with them when they move. They will not be the only ones who have to adapt to a foreign country and to a new culture – their kids and spouses will have to do the same. Even expats who do not have children will still have to consider how their future kids would adapt.

The Angolese government wants to stimulate the local production of coffee for the next four years.  Because of this decision Angola  must become part of the  world top coffee producers again for the first time in 30 years. 

Vietnam is emerging as a manufacturing center for entrepreneurs willing to brave an emerging nation 

Indonesia has emerged as one of the rapidly growing food and drinks industry in South East Asia. Various factors, such as economic growth, increasing urbanization, young affluent population, and numerous regional food health and safety concerns have led to a surge in the industry.

Jacqui Smith's aim 'to put British workers first' reflects impact of economic downturn. New measures to bar tens of thousands of foreign workers from outside Europe coming to work in Britain as the recession bites deeper were outlined by the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, today.

Each country or even small society has their own culture. Culture comprises of a tradition, customs, religions, and events that personifies their difference with others. Culture is rich, and often practiced even back on our ancient years. Respecting one’s culture is important, particularly if you are a new member of their society or country. If their culture is new to you, learn to adapt. Besides, their culture is already established even before you were born.

The wealthy Gulf state of Dubai has been hit hard by the global economic crisis. Tens of thousands of workers have been laid off and forced to return to their homelands. The Dutch community in Dubai is also feeling the pinch.

At least nine people were killed when a Turkish Airlines passenger plane crashed near Amsterdam on Wednesday. The Boeing 737-800 from Istanbul with 135 people on board appears to have just missed one of the landing runways of Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

‘Desperate’ expatriate housewives may soon be allowed to work in more professions in Bahrain. They are currently only allowed to work as teachers, medical professionals and in top managerial positions in the banking sector. But many say rising prices are forcing them to seek work - some illegally - in order to keep their families together. The GDN had reported last September that some housewives end up as illegal residents after cancelling their visas to apply for work permits with prospective employers.

Emigrating? Sorry, but my partner has a job too. Partner policy, or in even more graceful terms, dual-career policy is now the magical term for international companies that want to second employees. And the newest trend: working internationally without emigrating. 

On February the 14th, the world comes together to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. Priest Valentine died defending love at the court of the cruel Roman Emperor Claudius II. Valentine was a priest who refused to give up Christianity and he had been caught performing marriage ceremonies in secret. He has been jailed and condemned to death. The couples he married used to come and throw flowers and notes through the little window of the priest's cell. The day he died he left a letter to the guardian's daughter who used to visit him. He ended this letter with the words: ‘Love from your Valentine’. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Before you go abroad, you will also, of course, find out as much as possible about insurance. The crucial question is where you should take out your insurances: in your home country or in the country where you will be establishing yourself? When you start to work for a foreign employer you may have to participate in the company’s group insurances. You will not have a choice. Should you, however, be able to choose, we recommend also including providers of expat policies when you make your product comparisons. They always work with an emergency assistance call centre and this gives you important benefits.

When you are living abroad, you always rely heavily on your empathy and adaptability. The five multicultural skills (Cultural Empathy, Open-mindedness, Social Initiative, Emotional Stability and Flexibility) may be able to help you.

All, or at least most, Dutch people speak English. And with this comes the conviction that they can do business easily with the Brits. But speaking the same language, as we discover, simply isn't enough. The Netherlands' status as the fourth most important trading partner for the United Kingdom helps seal the myth—'we', that is British and Dutch people, are made for each other when it comes to business dealings. But what is that nagging feeling that warns of hidden complexities lying just beneath the surface? 
 

For many people Spain epitomizes the moving abroad dream: a country that offers the prospect of year-round sunshine, lower living costs and a more relaxed pace of life. Not surprising then that year after year Spain has proven to be one of the most popular destinations for expatriates from around the world, with 10% of its 45 million population now made up of foreign nationals.

The Singapore government has made a bold move to try and reduce the costs of doing business in the country in its 2009 budget . Despite being in a recession, the government has announced tax cuts and record levels of spending.

Opposition parties want South African courts to change the electoral act in a bid to give millions of expatriates the right to vote in upcoming elections.

In a survey of 600 residents in the UAE and Bahrain, Zurich International said some 83% of respondents in the UAE expressed concerns about their ability to repay their mortgage and personal loans.

Are you adventurous, ambitious, curious and an (ex)expat? In that case you are the one that LEX EXPATspecialist is looking for! LEX is looking for an Account Manager who can maintain contact with customers independently. Build relationships with potential new customers and provide them with all necessary information for a partnership with LEX. You guide and support the recruitment process from the proposal until the signing of the contract. You conduct conversations with potential candidates and advise the customer in taking the right decisions. You also maintain intensive contact with the back office and timely notice opportunities so they can respond to them. You work as a team while following up orders, fulfilling vacancies and setting commercial goals.

Now that the credit crunch is influencing the world economy and there is a threat of recession or it is already upon us, a strategic personnel vision is needed more than ever before.

Obama has packed his staff with so-called “Third Culture Kids”—people who grew up outside the U.S. New research suggests this group shares common psychological traits that could shape his administration

A new survey conducted in December 2008 by Booz & Company of 828 senior managers across the globe finds that companies—whether financially weak or strong —are struggling to make the right moves in the current economic environment, with many wavering in their confidence of leadership’s ability to navigate the crisis.

The UK, France and Jersey lowest-rated destinations for expatriates’ lifestyle while UAE ranks high for ability to earn and save and Brazilian, Irish and Australian expats are the wealthiest, according to a report from HSBC.
 

'The Dutch in Cape Town, South Africa celebrate their lustrum'

Last weekend was the Lustrum party of the Dutch Club in Cape Town. The party was held in the Castle of Good Hope, a unique location that fits the Dutch. Dutchman, Jan van Riebeeck, captain of the VOC, build this castle in 1666. Nowadays the castle is used as a museum and it is the home base of the Western Cape Army. LEX sponsored the fifth anniversary but could not go back to celebrate its roots in Africa this time!

Whoever wishes to work or who has a job abroad will at some point or another come in contact with LEX EXPATspecialist or, in short, LEX. A team of driven experts in the area of expats who all have their own worldwide experiences that they deploy each day to build new futures far away from our homeland...

‘Full of opportunities and probably the most varied continent in the world’
The booming expat world in Asia is growing. Sizeable companies from the whole world are setting themselves up in this beautiful continent for strategic reasons. Why? Here is where it is happening.

’Léman Expat Fair attracts 1800 interested visitors to our stand’
Switzerland is known as the European hub of the financial world. Various multinational headquarters have, therefore, been established in Switzerland. Its central position ensures that the country in the Alps is an interesting destination for our expats. Interested visitors were informed about the options in the area of living, working and insuring at the Léman Expat Fair held at the start of November. LEX informed expats about there services.

‘Webster Career Event connects potential new expats with LEX’
Last weekend, The Webster University in Leiden organised a career event for its students. Potential workforce meets employers and vice versa. Webster University is an International University with locations all over the world and students from over 130 countries around the globe.

‘Expat fair results in 300 new contacts thanks to a good concept’

12 October was all about expats at LEX. The ‘I am not a tourist’ fair of Expatica provided the ideal opportunity for informing expats in the Netherlands about our services. We did this using a unique concept.

LEX is becoming too big for its boots! 'An expanding market ensures LEX can spread its wings'
Have you already noticed that LEX can be found in more and more places? People are becoming invreasingly aware of the LEX name and the number of expats asking us to broker for them is rising quickly. We are currently experiencing exponential growth because the market is growing and we are continuing to develop our formula for succes.
 

Summer in the Netherlands. A good moment to look back at the year that has flown by. We do this with full of pride. Our current organisational growth, after all, acts as a strong foundation for the realisation of perfect matches.

LEX in The Expat Magazine. The quote that is heard the most from expats in South-East Asia is: Singapore is not a country. It’s a company! You can recognise the epic centre for expats from the abundance of available information.

The expat hub on the coast. Were you aware that quite some multinationals have their headquarters in the Netherlands? The hub is in The Hague. It generates employment; it shouldn’t, therefore, surprise you that many expats decide to live in this area. Practical and fascinating information provision? That’s where LEX comes in…

LEX and EXPATICA partnership is fascinating. June 2008 was a busy month for LEX. We have, of course, worked very hard on an international front. As a result, we have realised various exchanges between interesting expat positions. We do, however, want to inform more ambitious expats about our services and their options.

‘LEX sponsors the Orange Ball of the Dutch Association in Peking!’
About 200 people came together in Peking on 26 April to celebrate the Dutch Queen’s Birthday. LEX sponsored the whole event together with a number of other sponsors. LEX put up banners for the event. Flyers were, of course, also distributed to ensure everybody was well aware of LEX and what we have to offer.

International, multicultural, good development and moreover… BOOMING! It became clear to our team during a successful business trip that Dubai is slightly different to what is generally assumed. The skyline is not the only thing that is unreal, but the extreme economic expansion too.

Successful business trip generates unique opportunities for expats'

More and more Dutch people are turning their backs on their own country. As emigrants but also on a temporary basis. For example, as an expat with a contract for a few years. Once the contract ends, they will see where they will go next. Specialised agencies offer assistance in this area.

For many years Tineke Hulst and her partner Gerrit Pierik were expats in Cameroon and Ghana. After their return to the Netherlands, the couple started a successful interim management agency. They were frequently asked by African friends and acquaintances whether they happened to know someone that could take up a management position in Africa.