Top European Festivals this July
siddlobo
| 27 June, 2008 11:31
The sun is shining, the hem lines have risen, the beaches
are packed and the holidays have begun. Summer is here and there are loads of
festivals happening all across Europe. Here are some of
the famous ones.
Barcelona Summer Festival
1st June –
30th August
Popularly known as the Grec, this festival takes place in a
Greek-styled amphitheatre near Barcelona’s
Olympic Stadium. It is one of the most famous art festivals in the world. It
hosts well-acclaimed dance, theatre and music performances ranging from
contemporary music and performance arts to classical and traditional acts.
Popular among local and international visitors.
http://www.barcelonafestival.com/cat/
Festival d’Avignon
4th July –
26th July
A fusion of avant-garde theatre, drama and dance, Festival
d’Avignon is one of France’s
oldest and most prestigious cultural festivals. It was founded in 1947 by Jean
Vilar, a controversial French director and
has now gained international acclaim. Performances take place all across the
city – in churches, cloisters, squares and the Palace of the Pope. If you’re
interested in modern theatre, dance and drama, it doesn’t get better than this.
http://www.festival-avignon.com/index.php?lg=en
ImpulsTanz, Vienna, Austria
10th July
– 10th August
ImpulsTanz is a major contemporary dance festival held in Vienna
every year. Thousands of dancers, choreographers and teachers from around the
world come together at ImpulsTanz making it an event you’re unlikely to forget.
If modern, bold, unconventional and contemporary describe the kind of event you’re
looking for, look no further.
http://www.impulstanz.com/news/headlines/en
Love Parade, Dortmund, Germany
19th July
Love Parade is the largest techno gathering in the world. About
1.5 million ravers joined this mobile party in previous years. This year, the
party is scheduled to take place in Dortmund.
So
book your tickets now and join one of the world’s largest street parties.
Salzburg Festival
26th July
- 31st August
The Salzburg Festival is a show for the classics lovers.
This year’s show is set to host well acclaimed names in opera, concert and
drama. Held in Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg,
there’s hardly a more fitting location for it. During the festival, for five
continuous weeks, the city attracts world class talent and audience alike.
http://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/
Medieval Spectacle, Carcassonne, France
7th July –
29th August
As the name says, the Medieval Spectacle is in fact, just
that. Set against the backdrop of UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Carcassonne,
this event lets you experience the old days as it once was. Artists and
troubadours entertain visitors in the walled city - jousting, fencing and
acrobatics performances abound. For a day trip back in time, this might be the
perfect option.
Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
4th July –
19th July
This star-studded jazz festival boasts of big names in the
business from R.E.M to Quincy Jones. If you’re planning to hit some of the main
performances, be sure to book tickets well in advance. For some free fun, join
the street parties and free entertainment that sprouts up all over the city.
www.montreuxjazz.com
Festival of the Near
Death Experience, Las Nieves, Spain
29th
July - to be confirmed
Now, here’s a weird one. Ever have a near death experience?
Well, these guys in Spain
have a rather bizarre way of sharing their tale and expressing gratitude. Every
year, at the Festival of Near Death Experiences, people who’ve had near death
experiences attend church in a coffin carried by their family members. The perfect
time and venue to discuss and exchange stories, don’t you think? This strange festival takes place in the little town of Las Nieves on the border of
Portugal. After service at the packed church, a procession carries the statue
of Santa Maria to the cemetery and
back.
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events
and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official
websites.
Dining with a difference
siddlobo
| 19 June, 2008 13:00
We’ve all had those dinners we’ll never forget. Maybe it was
the delicious food, the incomparable company, the superb service or the
stunning setting… either way it was a meal to remember. And here are five more unique
dining experiences from across Europe you’re not likely
to forget in the near future.
Dans le Noir, London
Imagine having your dinner and the lights go out. If you’re dining at Dans
le Noir, chances are that the lights will
stay out throughout your meal. Dans
le Noir is a ‘Dine in the Dark’ experience started
by the Paul Guinot
Foundation, an organization that supports
the blind in France.
The main aim of the restaurant is to promote awareness of what it is to be
blind. As a result, all waiters are visually impaired and in an ironical
fashion, they are the ones that guide the guests through the pitch black
restaurants. Diners are asked to leave all potentially light-emitting gadgets
outside the restaurant. The complete blackness of the setting tunes up your
sensory experience and the rest of the meal is a guessing game as you grope
around figuring out what you’re eating. The concept has become a hit and a
chain of Dans le Noir
restaurants have opened in France,
London and Moscow.
If you’re up for the experience, log onto http://www.danslenoir.com/london/
‘s Baggers, Nuremberg
Isn’t it really annoying when the waiter gets your order
wrong? Or seems to ignore you completely? If you're in ‘s Baggers, you won't have that problem. That’s because it doesn’t have any waiters. ‘s Baggers
is the first automated restaurant. Customers simply use touch screen TVs to
browse the menu and choose their meal. The order is sent real time to chefs
upstairs (still of the old-fashioned human kind) who prepare the fresh,
delicious meals. Once ready, the meal is put in a pot, given a sticker and a
colour to match the customer’s seat and then sent sliding down a
rollercoaster-like conveyor belt to reach the correct table.
To experience a prime example of German food and engineering, head to ‘s Baggers.
http://www.sbaggers.de/mainger/?sid=restaurant&lang=en
De Kartofelkeller, Berlin
Here’s one for all you potato lovers. This restaurant pays
homage to the humble spud. Potatoes have a starring role in all of the
Kartofelkeller’s dishes. And there are almost a 100 of them to choose from.
So if
you’re a potato fan, you’ll find nirvana at De Kartofelkeller,
Berlin. http://www.kartoffelkeller.com/
Absolute Ice Bar, Stockholm, London
The Absolut Ice Bar is quite a cool experience and I mean
that literally. Temperatures in the Ice Bar are well below zero. You’ll be given
a cape and a fur coat to stay alive for the forty minutes or so that you’ll be
in the ‘Below Zero’ zone. Drinks are served in fist-sized hollow ice cubes and
you can pick them up from the ice blocks that make up the bar. In fact, all
furniture is made of ice and once your forty minutes are up, you’ll be escorted
to the warmer zone. Ice bars are gaining popularity and have opened up in London
and Amsterdam too.
http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/
Archipelago, London
Feeling a little adventurous? Then Archipelago is for you.
Featuring an exotic menu including gnu, crocodile, locusts and kangaroo- just
to name a few, this restaurant is definitely a walk on the wild side. For the
more faint hearted, chicken, lamb and an extensive vegetarian menu is also
available. Weird ingredients, crazy combinations and eclectic décor make this
dining experience one you’ll remember long after.
http://www.toptable.co.uk/venues/restaurants/?id=993
Malaysia, my second home- enjoy a ten year holiday in Malaysia
siddlobo
| 16 June, 2008 18:41
Malaysia
is a tropical paradise – sunny days, warm evenings, sandy beaches and an easy
lifestyle – all at a very affordable price. And to make it even more
attractive, the government has introduced the Malaysia My Second Home
programme. Commonly known as the MM2H programme, this is an international
residency scheme that allows foreigners to live in the country on a multiple
entry visa that can be renewed every ten years.
The MM2H programme has become a choice option for many
seniors in western countries looking for a relaxed and comfortable retirement
in a warm country. So far, over 8000 people have chosen this option and made Malaysia
their new home. Read on and find out how you can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle at
a fraction of what it costs in the west.
Who is eligible for the programme?
This programme is available to citizens of all countries
except Israel, Serbia
or Montenegro.
Successful applicants are entitled to bring their spouse and unmarried children
below the age of 18 years. Living in paradise does come at a certain cost. Applicants
need to meet certain financial requirements.
Applicants below 50
years old are required to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 at any
international bank with a local branch. After one year, the participant can
withdraw up to RM240,000 for expenses, investment, children’s education and
medical purposes. A minimum of RM60,000 must be maintained for the remaining
stay in Malaysia.
Applicants above 50
years of age have to choose one of two options:
- They
need to invest a minimum of RM150,000 in a fixed deposit account at any
international bank with a local branch
- The
need to show proof of a monthly off-shore income of at least RM10,000
At the end of one year, the participant can withdraw up to
RM240,000 for expenses, investment, children’s education and medical purposes.
As in the case of younger participants, a minimum of RM60,000 must be
maintained for the remaining stay in Malaysia.
What are the main benefits?
Apart from the obvious benefits of sun and sand at an
affordable price, there are some additional incentives for joining this
programme. Chief among them are:
- You are allowed to purchase residential property.
Certain conditions and terms apply. Check the link below for more details
- Love your wheels? No problem. You can bring in your car
from home or purchase a local car without paying import duty, excise duty or
sales tax
- For those who want a little help at home, here’s some
good news. Each participant is allowed to apply for one domestic helper in
accordance to the rules and regulations set by the Immigration Department of
Malaysia
- And lastly, you can apply for an ID card which allows you
to cross borders as a local instead of a foreigner. It must be noted that this
card does not give you participant permanent resident status
Restrictions and things to watch out for
There are however some restrictions. If you’re a MM2H participant,
you’re not allowed to work or be employed during your stay in Malaysia.
Also, the government takes security very seriously. Any security threat or
anti-government action can get you on the fast track out of the country.
How to apply
The first step to applying for your MM2H is to find an
authorized ‘sponsor’. These ‘sponsors’ are private Malaysian companies that
offer application and follow-up services to foreigners. Make sure you only use
authorized sponsors as they are the ones licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Charges for this service vary dramatically and it is wise to check with a few
‘sponsors’ before deciding on the right one for you. Below are links to some
authorized ‘sponsors’ to help you get started.
http://www.mysecondhome.com.my/
http://visahome.com.my/
Want to find out more about the MM2H? Click here for more
detailed information on moving to Malaysia:
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php
June: End of the paper airline ticket, welcome to electronic boarding pass for everybody
easyexpat
| 09 June, 2008 14:55
As of June 1, IATA (International Air Transport Association) will no longer supply paper ticket stock to 60,000 travel agencies in 125 countries around the world. OK, most of you frequent traveller think already that paper airline tickets are past (for example, British Airways issued 790,000 airline tickets in March, of which 8,000 were paper), but in many other countries it is quite frequent, especially for long distance including different itinary and flights. Now the rules will be that you can just register with your passport (registration number might be requested, but not necessary).
In the urge of reducing costs everywhere, from baggage allowance to food on board, the elimination of paper airline tickets stands to reduce airline costs by as much as €2 billion worldwide and cut the cost of issuing a ticket from €6 to less than €1, according to Bryan Wilson of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Whereas in June 2004, only 18% of tickets issued were e-tickets, by the end of March2008, the number had risen to 94%.
But paper tickets won't disappear immediately. In theory, the traveler holding the last paper ticket issued has up to one year to commence their journey and another year to use the return ticket before that ticket is no longer valid. Therefore, it is possible a paper ticket could still be floating through the system until May 31, 2010. In addition, not every airline is subject to IATA's electronic ticketing rules (it affects approximately 240 company members).
Anyway, it should trigger passagers to choose even more their booking through the Internet or directly with the airline company, rather than with travel agencies.
Easyexpat, with information from USAToday, Yahoo!, EuroNews and IHT.
Top Spring Festivals in Europe this June
siddlobo
| 02 June, 2008 10:23
Spring is in full bloom and summer holidays are just around
the corner. For those of you who are looking out for fun ways to spend this June,
here are a couple of my favourite festivals all over Europe.
International Festival
of Music and Dance, Granada, Spain
20th June – 6th July
Set against the jaw-dropping architecture of the Alhambara,
the international festival of Music and Dance is a must visit for anyone who
loves music with a generous helping of exquisite architecture. The city of Granada
comes alive during the festival and the streets are filled with guitarists,
Flamenco dancers and music lovers from around the world. Music ranges from the
classical to world music. Definitely worth a visit.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=13439
Music Festival, Paris
21st June
Fete de la Musique or the Music Festival in
Paris is a
fantastic way to enjoy free cheer in the city of lights. Hundreds of musicians
gather in cafés, streets, bars to show off their skills to obliging locals and
tourists. An air of camaraderie and merry-making pervades. Performances include
everything from jazz to hip hop, rock to classical.
http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr/
Kiel Week Sailing Regatta, Germany
Last full week of June
If you love sailing, this is the event for you. Kiel Week is
an annual sailing event held in Kiel
and is the largest sailing event in the world. The party begins on the Friday
before the official opening of the event with Soundcheck, a music festival with
stages all across the city. The event boasts of international competitors,
renowned regatta and non-stop celebrations.
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/germany/festivals-&-events-in-germany/kiel-week-sailing-regatta.html
International Viking
Festival, Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
12th -18th June
This Viking Festival takes place annually in Hafnarfjordur,
a small town near Reykjavik. This
is a chance for Vikings both native and those visiting from abroad to get back
to their roots. The festival is a fun way to take a peek into the Viking
lifestyle. You can pick a fight with burly Vikings, check out ancient arts and
crafts and enjoy a traditional Viking feast. Too much schnapps? No problem,
crash at one of the hotels nearby.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=18126
Kuopio Dance Festival, Finland
12th – 18th June
This is the oldest and most extensive dance festival in the
Nordic region. It boasts of classic premieres, over 100 dance events, courses,
performances, club nights and cruises.
Time to put on those dancing shoes and head north.
http://www.kuopiodancefestival.fi/indexe.html
Glastonbury Festival, England
27th- 29th June
This is an annual festival of music, dance, theatre, cinemas,
circus, poetry, food and an overall celebration of life. An
entertainment-packed three days but book in advance to make sure that you’ve
got a spot on this hot ticket. Find out more and reserve your tickets here. http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events
and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official
websites.
Easy Expat on French TV - Direct8: Facile, la vie
easyexpat
| 22 May, 2008 18:09
Easy Expat was today on French TV (Direct8) a couple of minutes in the show Facile, la vie.
Mobile careers are going places
siddlobo
| 20 May, 2008 18:17
Today’s increasingly mobile world has resulted in a growing
need for mobile careers. People demand more flexibility and want to work at
their own time, in their own space - this could be at home or by the beach.
People also want to maximize time with family, beat traffic and travel. More
and more people find themselves moving across countries and finding temporary
homes in different parts of the world. Never before has the world been so small
or flat. And never before has there been so much opportunity to pursue a career
without having to be present at your office. All this combined with managers
looking for high quality final output without concerning themselves with
details like where and when the work was done make mobile careers an extremely
interesting option for many.
The internet of course has been a key driver for this growth
in mobility. It has absolutely revolutionised the way we work, live and play in
today’s world. Let’s take a look at some of the key advances that have made
mobile careers a reality.
Access to information:
No points for guessing this one. Information is king and the internet puts it
in the hands of everyone. This has leveled the playing ground immensely.
Whether you’re in New York or an
island off Thailand,
you have access to the same information.
Connectivity: The
internet keeps you connected to news, friends, family and job opportunities.
Social networks, emails, e-zines and e-newsletters are a quick and cheap way to
keep you in the loop.
Free internet call
sites: In the past, a big barrier to distance working was the steep costs
of telecommunication. This is a problem of the past with cheap or even free
internet tools like Skype and VoIP Buster. These programs have made
communicating cost-effective, efficient and easy.
Information storing:
With the internet, we don’t need to lug huge documents and folders with us
anymore. People now can opt to store information on the internet and access it
from any computer in the world with access to the internet.
PDA: With the
rising number of PDA’s, people have access to their emails and professional
contacts at anytime, anywhere. Why access information from the office when you
can do it from wherever you are?
Some drawbacks
It’s not all rosy in the mobile world. There are some
drawbacks to think of as well. Key among them is the lack of personal contact.
As much as telecommunications and the internet have bridged gaps between the
continents, sometimes nothing beats a good, old fashioned face-to-face meeting.
This holds especially true in handling difficult situations, complicated
negotiations or at the start of a business relationship.
The other drawback of the mobile world is our dependence on
technology. If there’s a glitch in the system, lack of access to the server
etc, work literally comes to a halt. And lastly, mobile careers do come with a
certain degree of isolation. The coffee machine chats are replaced by online
chats. This does lower the degree of closeness amongst colleagues.
Careers for the mobile
So if you’re still one of the many who think the advantages
outnumber the drawbacks, read on to find out some of the main careers that
thrive in this mobile world.
Freelance writing:
From copywriting to travel writing, food writing to direct mailers, website
writing to marketing materials, guide books to novels, the world of freelance
writing has gone mobile. Just click on any freelance writing website (and there
are tons of them) and you can see listings of writers from just about every
part of the world. This is a job you can do sitting in your favourite chair at
home or while you’re in a plane a few thousand feet off the ground. Just pick
your favourite subjects, start building a relationship with the relevant
editors and type away.
Photography: From
your backyard to the world’s wonders, if you’ve got an eye for photography,
there’s hardly been a better time than now to horne it. Thanks
to the digital world and the number of photo websites, you can post and sell
your pictures online without having to set foot in any office.
Design: Designers
with a network of contacts can also go mobile in today’s world. Designers can
take a proper briefing either via phone or mail and send back digital versions
of their design without ever having to be in an office.
Online marketing:
If you run a website or an online merchandising site, chances are you can work
from anywhere as long as you are connected with your customers and suppliers.
When you come to think of it, just about any job that
requires more of mental and thinking skills can be done irrespective of your
location. In fact, more and more start-ups are starting to run virtual offices
where team members stay connected via PDA’s and work out of their laptops. Meetings
and brainstorms can be arranged out of cafés and hotels with wifi connection
and there is increasingly very little need for an actual physical office space.
So if you’re thinking of going mobile, the time is now, the
place is anywhere.
Frequent Traveler: flying to the UK or how to avoid new T5 at Heathrow
easyexpat
| 14 May, 2008 17:02
If you ask frequent travellers going to or departing from London what is their biggest advice, they will often answer: avoid Heathrow. The UK main hub, one of the busiest airport in the world, has had a long reputation for its problems, delays, congestion, baggage lost and unfriendly for most passengers. However a big hope was lifted a few month ago by the opening of the new Terminal 5 on March, 27, dedicated to British Airways sole occupier of the new building. The result was a shameful fiasco with tens of thousands of baggage lost and the nightmare for travellers lasting days as BA and the airport owner BAA were trying to restablish the situation.
However, BAA was confident. At the Queen's inauguration, the new facility was described as the "state-of-the-art" that was going to end the worsening experience of passengers in Heathrow. Heathrow's owner, BAA, said it expected the new baggage system at T5 to work "perfectly". It was needed as the competition is reinforcing. The new treaty agreement of open skies between the US and UK is likely to trigger a new price war as the market of transatlantic flights deregulates.
According to the Guardian, "a price war is already under way due to the intense competition between
the three carriers that operate the Heathrow to New York route: BA,
Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. However, US competitors
Continental, Delta and Northwest are also among the carriers launching
new Heathrow to New York routes. A total of 7,112 extra seats and 39
new flights a week will be added to the route between London's airports
and New York, a rise of 6% on last year."
Therefore, as the British operator is still struggling to sort out the situation, it is wise to avoid Heathrow and to try to find out other ways around London. You can use other airlines than BA and fly from T1, 2, 3, 4 (and some BA flights for short-hauls, Singapore, Australia and Bangkok have not moved to T5 due to the chao - you can find which plane is departing from where on ba.com/Which terminal). And you can also view other operating companies in Stansted and Gatwick airport here.
Gatwick, in South London, offers a wide range of flights to Europe (BA to France, Budget airlines to Italy, Denmark...), Middle East (Emirates to Dubai... ), Asia and North America. The facility is much better (albeit the difficulty due to specific security mesures in UK airports) and there is a fast train linking the airport to London Victoria in 30 minutes (or a normal train in 40 minutes). Stansted, east, is mainly used for budget airlines (such as Ryan Air or Germanwings) but NYC is served by American Airlines. Lutton, north of London, serves also more than 30 international destination including Africa. Eventually you can also use City Airport, close to Canary Wharf (the new business center in London) but with smaller airplanes and short-hauls.
When transiting, avoid London and especially Heathrow and prefer hubs such as Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. In order to find more information on flights around the world, updated daily, you should subscribe to www.oagflights.com (annual £99 - €130).
Have a good trip ! 
British Expats - Documentary for Brits living abroad: No Place Like Home, ITV1
easyexpat
| 07 May, 2008 11:46
ITV1 is currently working on the Second Series of "No Place Like Home", a documentary
looking at British Expats who are thinking about returning home. It's a
straightforward, feel-good programme, simply investigating the dilemma that many
expats face, and will hopefully be of help to anyone who is considering going
back to the UK.
They are looking to start filming in June and the show will be on air
in November 2008 on ITV.
Fever Media, the company in charge of the programme, has sent us this announcement:
ARE YOU A BRIT LIVING ABROAD
ARE YOU MISSING THE UK?
IN A DILEMMA ABOUT WHETHER TO COME HOME TO THE UK?
If the answer is YES to any of these questions then we want you!
We are making a documentary series about expats called ‘No Place Like Home?’ We are keen to hear from British families who are living abroad, but are now thinking about returning permanently to Britain.
Perhaps you miss your family and friends, or could you be longing for the simple things? The sense of humour, the warm beer & the proper cuppa!
BUT...You're also concerned that you might regret leaving all the good things about living abroad if you do go back to the UK.
We are offering you the opportunity to explore the reality of coming home by flying you back to the UK to ‘test-drive’ life in Britain.
This fact-finding visit will give you the opportunity to see loved ones but also equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or return to the UK for good.
You’ll be flown back to the UK and given the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ the reality of living in the UK.
Relocation expert Catherine Gee will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or come home for good.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact Kaaj Mehta as soon as possible by email: kaajal.mehta @fevermedia.co.uk
Or call +44 (0) 207 428 5755
Survival Tips for the Expat Spouse
siddlobo
| 06 May, 2008 13:16
You’ve moved into your
new house, gone shopping, explored the town center, visited the library,
marveled at the architecture and then that nagging question looms up again,
“What do I do now?” You’re friendless, jobless, clueless. But not to worry,
things aren’t that hopeless. Here’s what you can do to keep your sanity and
maybe even your career on the right track!
Start with the
language: You’ll feel extremely proud of yourself in your first week
in your new home country. This might have something to do with the fact that
you can utter your own version of ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ in the local
language. Unfortunately there’s more to it than those two precious words. If
you plan to stay in your new country for more than a year, join a language course.
The sooner you learn the language, the faster you get on with life. Most
companies sponsor private courses for expatriate spouses. This however depends
on the contract, company and the country you’re living in. If it’s not part of
the deal, check your options on the internet. Most language schools tend to be
in centrally located areas. Take a stroll in the city centre and you’re bound
to stumble upon one of them.
The benefits of the language course are twofold. Not only do
you actually start communicating in the local language and feeling more at home,
you also meet other spouses/partners in the same situation as you. This
normally forms the basis of a friendship circle that lasts much longer than
your stay in the country.
Volunteer work:
Though it doesn’t pay any bills, it certainly keeps you out of the straight
jacket! Most countries should have volunteer opportunities available and this
is a great way to soft launch yourself into the ‘working’ world. When picking
your volunteering job, see if you can angle for something related to what you
used to do at home. E.g. if you have a marketing background and you’re
volunteering at an orphanage, see if you can help create flyers for them or
help them update their website or add an English section to it. This way,
you’ll still be able to keep in touch with what you used to do.
Volunteering is also a fantastic opportunity to brush up
your language skills. Think of it this way, you help them with a good cause and
they return the favour by letting you practice their language. Plus, there’s
always the big benefit of actually meeting humans other than your partner. And
last but definitely not the least, it does feel good when you’re doing
something good. Below is a link to an International Volunteer Organisation but
you can be sure to find more in your new country. http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest.html
Freelance:
The internet is incredible and it’s a fantastic solution for expatriate
spouses. For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is an
obvious option. Tons of websites these days also offer a number of
opportunities for designers, consultants, technical writers etc. Set time aside
to sort through the jobs and pick the ones you think you’re best suited for.
This could be a great way to keep your portfolio and experience growing. A word
of advice… these things could take time. Trick is to be patient and learn from
your experience. Depending on your area of expertise, you may or may not
require a license to be a freelancer. For more information, you can contact
your local Chamber of Commerce. One site to check out for freelance
opportunities is www.guru.com
Study: Always wanted to
study but didn’t have the time? This break could be the perfect time to
tuck away a degree or pursue that MBA. You could opt to do a distance
course, full time course or short-term courses. Also make sure you check
scholarship opportunities. You never know if you might be eligible for
one. And if that’s not enough, here’s another good reason to use this
break to study – tax benefits. An interesting way to save while you learn.
Develop a new skill: For an
expatriate spouse, survival is not only of the fittest but also of the
most flexible. Explore new options, dig out old hobbies and see if you can
convert them into careers, take a short course in whatever interests you
and start something small. Watch the local market for opportunities and fill
them with your skills.
English: If all else fails,
there’s always something you can do with English. From translation jobs to
freelance writing (like this article) to teaching English, pick what
you’re comfortable with, join a quick course to brush up on your skills
(if you need it) and go for it!
It’s never easy starting out in a new country. But, if
you’re open to new ideas, flexible, enthusiastic and willing to go the extra
mile, there’s always something. Even for the expat spouse!
Boom time for jobs in India
siddlobo
| 29 April, 2008 23:28
India is booming. With a rapidly developing economy, the country is attracting both foreign capital and talent with equal ease. With a GDP of approximately 8.5% growth this year, India offers an optimism only few others can match. This has led to a profusion of jobs at all levels in a variety of sectors. It is estimated that this year alone, India will create about 1025000 new jobs, an impressive figure that’s only marginally lower than the previous year. And here’s the best news… the growth is not concentrated in just one area but has had a spill-over effect into a range of different sectors. Let’s take a deeper look at the hottest sectors in one of the hottest economies today.
Real estate: Property prices are soaring in India. In some cases, prices have doubled in less than 2 years! This has led to a spur of real estate development projects and a corresponding rise in careers in this sector. Infrastructure development has also caused a spurt in hiring activity as many real estate companies vie for infrastructure development projects that fall under public-private partnerships.
Hospitality: The increasing affluence of the local population combined with the growing numbers of foreign tourist has propelled the growth of the hospitality industry. There is an estimated 430,000 new jobs that will be created in this sector alone.
Retail: The retail sector in India is poised to see a surge in action this year. Major international players like Wal-Mart and Carrefour are set to enter the market. Transforming the retail market in India will be a challenging job and one that will offer many opportunities for locals and foreigners alike.
Health care: As the population grows, the demand for high quality healthcare increases. This sector is now booming thanks to corporations opening branded hospitals and spreading their networks beyond the metropolitan cities. This has resulted in a vast number of openings for highly qualified people in the healthcare sector.
BPO: Despite the sub prime crisis in the US, there is an optimistic mood in the outsourcing industry. Smaller cities like Vishakapatnam, Nagpur, Chandigarh are expected to be the emerging hotspots.
IT: Funnily enough, if there is a slowdown in any sector, it will be in IT. Salary at the junior levels in this sector has stabilized and there is a 3% dip in average salary for engineering positions compared with the same time next year. But there is still a huge demand for talent especially in roles as technical architects or product managers.
Finance, Banking, Insurance: If all the above sectors are growing, they will need some help from the banking industry to provide them with finances and ensure that their assets are properly insured. Hence, needless to say, the banking and financial industry is a thriving, action-packed place to be in right now.
Number of opportunities for locals and expatriates in India
As is obvious, there are a number of opportunities for locals and expatriates in India. Some of the key talents, advantages and experience that expatriates can bring with them are:
Foreign languages and understanding of foreign cultures: As more Indian companies increase their reach and conduct business internationally, more opportunities arise for the ‘bridge’ between countries. A good knowledge of foreign languages like German, French, Spanish etc and an understanding of their cultures can come in handy.
Specialist skills: From design to supply chain logistics, there are a number of specialist skills that people from the developed economies can bring and share with the Indian market.
Management Skills: Top level management and best-practices from other countries and sectors to improve and leapfrog development in the Indian sectors.
Key roles and opportunities: While most of the Western countries are in a ‘slow’ mode, Indian companies are in high drive and offer opportunities and challenges that are difficult to find elsewhere. These jobs also let you play a key role with daily access to decision makers.
Challenges to watch out for
Working in India is not a complete bed of roses though. There are a number of challenges that expatriates to India need to be aware of. Key among them include:
Work permits: Though expatriates might be able to land jobs and work permits in India, their spouse doesn’t automatically get working permits as well.
Comparatively low salaries: Even a good pay package in India will be a poor package compared to US or the West. Typically, a competitive Indian package will be about 25%-30% of an average US salary. Having said that, the value of the income will be much more than the value of salary earned in the US.
Competition: There is tough competition from a well educated middle class who will work at Indian pay. So you really need to be able to bring something different to the table.
Connections: Personal connections and networking are still the best ways to land a job in India. Without this, it might be a bit tougher to break into the market.
Despite the challenges, the benefits make for a rewarding experience. If India sounds like an interesting stop for your next job, log onto http://www.expat-list.siteblast.com/
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich
Beer Festivals in Germany
siddlobo
| 23 April, 2008 00:40
Germany has long
been a shrine for beer lovers from around the world. Two of the biggest
and
most popular beer festivals in the world take place in Germany. The
most popular is Munich’s world renowned Oktoberfest which strangely
enough takes place
in September. The second most famous beer festival is the Stuttgart
Beer
Festival. There are officially two Stuttgart festivals, one in spring
and one
in autumn. And here’s the good news – the Stuttgart Spring Festival is
just
around the corner. Let’s take a look at these three big and happening
places to
be if you enjoy guzzling gallons of your favourite brew.
Stuttgart Spring Beer Festival
This is an annual fair that will be taking place in Stuttgart from April 12th to May 5th
this year. It will be happening
in the traditional fair grounds of Stuttgart’s Bad Cansstatt district.
This is
a slightly smaller version of the autumn festival but none-the-less,
it’s big
enough to attract the attention of beer lovers from across Germany and
Europe.
Some of its key attractions are its live bands, huge Ferris
wheel, roller
coasters and of course the unending flow of freshly brewed beer. All in
all, a
fantastic way to get ready for the beer season.
More information: http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/
Stuttgart Autumn Beer Festival
This is the second biggest beer festival in the world, second only to the Oktoberfest. This year,
it will be taking place between September 26th and October 12th
in Bad Canstatt, Stuttgart. This festival, also known as the Bad Canstatter Volksfest
started in 1818 when King Wilhelm 1 sponsored the festival after years of
hunger. Today, it attracts millions of visitors and houses seven huge beer
tents.
Key attractions include the world’s largest mobile Ferris wheel, tons of
roller coasters and rides, the French village where visitors enjoy a touch of
French food and music, a grand parade which traditionally takes place on the
first Sunday of the festival, fireworks on the 3rd October (which is
the German Reunification Day) and of course, an unending supply of beer.
More information: http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/
Oktoberfest, Munich
When one thinks of Oktoberfest, images of crowded beer
tents, huge beer mugs handled by big bosomed women in drendils and men
in lederhozen come to mind. All of which is true. But no words can truly
describe the experience of thousands of people crammed in a huge carnival
atmosphere enjoying the lively Bavarian music and its equally popular brew.
Each year over six million visitors throng to the Oktoberfest to be part
of this heady experience.
This year the Oktoberfest starts on September
22nd and offers its visitors a rollicking time till the end on 7th
October. Key attractions include live music, costume parades, fun fair rides
and roller coasters and an open-air music concert. If you’re looking for an
experience you’re not likely to forget, head for the Oktoberfest this
year.
More information: http://www.oktoberfest.de/
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich
See also here for a list of other Beer festivals:
http://www.beerfestivals.org
Global Survey of Expats
easyexpat
| 10 April, 2008 17:45
HSBC Bank International today unveils an ambitious project to conduct the largest ever survey of expats.
The project aims to give more than 2000 expats across four continents the opportunity to have their say on what life is really like for people living and working away from home. The survey will look at opportunities that come with starting a new life in a foreign country away from home, and the challenges and difficulties that they may face at home and at work.
The survey will also reveal how new technology helps expats start their new lives and manage their professional and social affairs. It will also find out how expatriate children’s lives differ from the lives of the friends they leave behind.
Paul Say, Head of Marketing and Communications at HSBC Bank International, said: “Living in foreign countries means expats often don't have the normal outlets to express their point of view about their unique lifestyle. This project aims to gather these viewpoints and capture them on an unprecedented scale. As well as giving voice to the expat population, the study will provide new insight on their needs which will help HSBC Bank International to improve its services and products for its customers.”
To make your opinion heard, please visit www.offshore.hsbc.com/survey
Feel free to complete the survey. In the future, you will see, on EasyExpat's blog, exclusive interviews and access to results for the expat community.
Apartheid in Europe? How Belgium is divising
easyexpat
| 04 April, 2008 12:28
Europe was founded on principles of tolerance and freedom of
movement for the population and the business. Brussels was lobbying the
European Community to become the host of most of the European
institutions and is now broadly seen as the capital of Europe.
Therefore, it is awkward to see that it is actually in the country
symbol of Europe (one of the sixth founders), and mainly in the
neighbourhood of the main city, that we observe now all the signs of
communitarian and racism.
One country, 2 languages, no unity
There are 3 linguistic communities in
Belgium: Flanders (with 6 millions inhabitants - but not all speaking Dutch), Wallonia (3.4
millions), Brussels-Capital (1 million) and some Eastern cantons speaking German (70,000). Contrary
to what you might think, the country is not bilingual, but apply two
strict monolingualism: in Flanders, the official language is Dutch,
in Wallonia the official language is French. only Brussels-Capital
(city of Brussels + additional neighbourhood) is officially bilingual.
In order to make things more complex, Brussels is inhabited by more
than 80% of non-Dutch speakers, but is located in Flemish territory.
The
"lingual" border follow a line that can start from about Tourcoing (in
France) to Maastricht (in the Netherlands). Initially, at the birth of
Belgium, in 1830, the country was meant to speak French, as it was the
most important language at the time, and symbol of modernity. However
from that early date it ignored that actually 60% of the country was
not made by French speakers. This is the law of 8th November 1962 that
fixes the boundaries and the 19 counties in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Amongst those limits, the law defined 6 counties in the area of
Brussels, 10 along the lingual border and in the German areas, where
inhabitants can address the local authorities in their language,
disregarding whereas they are located in Flanders or in Wallonia.
Nowadays, in addition to the language complexity, there is an economic
reasons that push the Flemish part of Belgium to demand for more
autonomy: unemployment is 17.7% in Wallonia (20.9% in Brussels) but
only 6.43% in Flanders. And because of fund transfer within the
country, the Northern territories (with a local Flemish government) are actually subsidising the French
speaking areas in the South (with a French-speaking government).
Linguistic discrimination
Since the last election, with the government of Yves Leterme (or the
body he tried to form following the victory of his party at the
national election in 2007), the Flemish appetite has proven to be
hungrier than ever.
The Flanders government has voted, since last
May, a new text aiming to remove the French names from Flanders:
amongst the 39 cities that were hisorically named in both languages,
the road signs will appear now in Dutch only, i.e Bruges will be only
Brugge (easy), Courtrai will only be Kortrijk (more difficult) and Montaigu only Scherpenheuvel-Zichem.
In
the area of Brussels-Capital, the cities of Brussel-Halle-Vilvoorde
(Dutch), Bruxelles-Halle Vilvorde-(French) or BHV represent a
district formed by Brussels (bilingual) and Halle-Vilvoorde (Flemish).
Historically, there was always facilities to speak French in the latest
2 areas (one knows that Flemish speak better French than Wallons
speak Dutch). However recently, due to vows of Flemish
authorities, it seems that nobody will understand you if you speak
French in any official building (as the city hall) - or at least it
looks like they understand perfectly but cannot speak it. However there
is no problem to discuss the same matter in English.
Since
December 2006, the Wooncode (Flemish accommodation law) states that it
is necessary to speak Dutch - or at least willing to do so -
in Flanders, to be able to apply for a social accommodation (council
flat). In addition, in some areas in Flanders such as Zaventem,
Volvoorde, Zemst or Hoeilaart, the sale of land to promotion price is
now reserved to Dutch-speakers (which means also, for the Flemish
community, people born in Flanders) or people following language
courses in a registered school.
In March, the local authorities
of Liedekerke (22km from Brussels) have decided the non Dutch-speaking
children from 6-12 will be excluded from the playground areas. Other
decisions have been taken such as to forbid any mention of French on
the outside boards in cities of the bilingual zone of Halle-Vilvoorde
(you cannot display A VENDRE on you property anymore and must write in
Dutch TE KOOP, but apparently you can show SALE or any other language but French) or to punish children
who speak French even in playground at schools located in Flanders.
Other example, in Overijse, the local council have decided to suppress
the French writing part of the monument engraved in memory of 2 French-speaking
Belgian who escaped during World War II.
Condemnation from the UN and European institutions
Of course the Flemish authority decisions have raised more and more suspicion outside but also inside. De Morgen,
leftist Flemish newspaper, express concerns and talk about linguistic
apartheid alike situation. In the last week of March, Marino Keulen,
Minister in charge of interior affairs in the Flemish government, has
cancelled the rules set in Liedekerke. He is already under pressure as
the Council of Europe is currently investigating as some
French-speaking mayors in the Flemish areas have not been officially
recognised by Flemish authorities as they failed to address letters in
Dutch only to their French fellow citizen. The Council of Europe has
already condemned tree times (1998, 2002 and 2005) Flanders for its
treatment and discrimination towards the French-speaking community. The
United Nations has published recently a report stating that the fact of
reserving council accommodation to certain category of the population
based on place of birth and language was ethnic and regional
discrimination.
The European Court of Justice has also published a report
stating that the 30th March 1999 law of the Flemish parliament, setting
a healthcare system reserved to inhabitants of Flanders or
Brussels-Capital only is actually against the European freedom of
movement. In 2004 the rules were changed in order to include those
living in other countries... but always excluding inhabitants of
Wallonia. Since then, no change.
Belgians have humour... but until when?
Most
of the jokes of April's fool were addressing the political and
community divide in Belgium. Thus, a Wallon Minister explained in the
newspaper La Dernière Heure, that he intended to realize
"French corridor" in Flanders, by buying back the parts of the E411
motorway located on Flanders territory to allow French speakers to
drive from Brussels to Wallonia. On the French TV RTL-TVI, the news
displayed a report showing the in the Flemish city of Meise they
decided to test a way of cutting all phone conversation in French. A
test that will be extended in all Flanders territory if successful.
Again a joke, but that shows what is the main concern of Belgians
nowadays...
Delayed and cancel flights: your rights
easyexpat
| 24 March, 2008 15:01
Last time I was in Dubai, my return plane to UK was cancelled. Bad luck, but the company was not willing to offer any help better than "come back in 2 days" [1]. There are protective rules for passengers who suffer such uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately it depends whether you are flying in Europe, US or the rest of the world.
In Europe, the European Union Air Passenger Rights rules for delayed and cancel flights apply to all passengers with a confirmed reservation for any flight taking off from any EU airport or flying to a European airport on a EU member's plane company.
Passengers who are delayed for more than 5 hours may request a refund of their ticket and free accommodation, but only if they decide not to travel. In case of cancellation, you are entitled to compensation of € 125 for short flights to € 600 for long flights, and have the choice of rerouting or refund, plus meals, refreshments, 2 phone calls.
Financial compensation is due unless you were informed 14 days before the flight, or you were
rerouted close to your original times, or the airline an prove that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances (unfortunately this is unclear and has been used by many airplanes to deny compensation, using the wording "extraordinary circumstances" for strikes, fog, snow in Scandinavia...etc).
- If your flight depart from a EU country, call the freephone number during working hours (09:00–18:30 CET weekdays): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11
- From outside the EU call (normal charges apply): (32-2) 299 96 96
- or by email: mail@europe-direct.cec.eu.int
In the United States, airlines are not required to compensate passengers. You can find information on http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm
[1] Don't worry, a bit of stuborness and experience and I managed to catch a plane within the hour 
