Expat interviews

An expat's views on life in the United States in the Covid-19 era
Everyday life
An expat's views on life in the United States in the Covid-19 era
Diego was born and raised in the province of Verona, Italy. Two years ago, he relocated to Georgia, in the United States. He currently works as an electronic engineer in Atlanta. Diego talks to Expat.com about his adventure abroad.
From Italy to Portugal to volunteer
Portugal
From Italy to Portugal to volunteer
Biagio is originally from Turin, Italy. In 2020, when he retired, he chose to relocate to Portugal. He currently lives in Viseu, a particularly clean and well-maintained city that he appreciates a lot. He tells us how he made new friends and, a few months ago, started volunteering at a local vaccination centre.
Being an expat freelancer in Austria amid the crisis
Everyday life
Being an expat freelancer in Austria amid the crisis
For Sarah, an American expat, being a trailing spouse is far from being a boring life. She is an art director, designer, illustrator, photographer and all-around creative guru based in Austria, where she relocated in October 2020. She talks to us about her new life in her host country amid the pandemic.
Adapting to a Western country as an Asian expat
Everyday life
Adapting to a Western country as an Asian expat
Lin is originally from China. She relocated to Belgium in 2009 on a student exchange program and fell in love with the country. In spite of the language barrier and cultural challenges, she made it and shares her expat experience with Expat.com.
The life of a diplomatic spouse in Berlin
Everyday life
The life of a diplomatic spouse in Berlin
Alexandra is a Romanian expat who followed her spouse to Berlin for his career, but that doesn't make her a trailing spouse. A diplomatic spouse rather, who is always busy volunteering, writing books and articles, and taking care of her family. She talks to us about her reality.
From Europe to Africa via Asia: Tales of a young Italian expat
Senegal
From Europe to Africa via Asia: Tales of a young Italian expat
Sara is a travel enthusiast and loves to discover new cultures. It has been a few months since she moved to Dakar with Djibril, her Senegalese boyfriend met in Shanghai. Sara is currently working as a volunteer in a non-profit organisation specialising in the reintegration of street children in the educational and vocational mainstream.
From Poland to Qatar in the name of love
Everyday life
From Poland to Qatar in the name of love
Joanna is a Pole expat who has had a great passion for travel for many years. Today, she is based in Qatar, following her Tunisian husband, who had a job there. She talks to us about that turning point in her life and the lifestyle she really enjoys in Qatar.
From Ireland to Botswana: Anna shares her experiences and challenges
Everyday life
From Ireland to Botswana: Anna shares her experiences and challenges
Anna was born in Ireland but spent many years abroad, including in Europe and Asia. She currently lives in Botswana, where she followed her husband who got a job offer there. Anna talks to us about her life experiences and challenges of relocating overseas and adapting to a new culture.
How a trip to Italy lead this Indian expat to Belgium
Everyday life
How a trip to Italy lead this Indian expat to Belgium
Athul is originally from Kerala, India. After working for a few years in Bangalore, he flies to Italy for a business project. Years later, a new opportunity leads him to Belgium, where he currently lives with his wife and daughter. He talks to us about his journey.
From Paris to Vancouver: a life-changing story
Everyday life
From Paris to Vancouver: a life-changing story
Elodie is a curious wanderer who was looking for a change in her life. So she left Paris, where she had stayed for six years, for Montreal on a working holiday visa. But today, she lives in Vancouver, where she is enjoying nature and the sea nearby.
From Italy to Mexico amid the pandemic
Mexico
From Italy to Mexico amid the pandemic
Aurora left her job in Italy a few months ago to embark on a long journey with her boyfriend. Mexico is their first stop since the country doesn't require quarantine on arrival. But this is just the beginning of Aurora's travel blogging adventure.
From Bristol to Portugal with two suitcases amid the crisis
Everyday life
From Bristol to Portugal with two suitcases amid the crisis
Helen is a happy wife and mum of two grown-up children and has always been passionate about travelling. But it's only in 2020 that she could make her dreams come true despite the pandemic. With her husband Adrian, he now lives in the rural countryside of Central Portugal.
An expat living the American dream amid the pandemic
USA
An expat living the American dream amid the pandemic
Alessandro relocated permanently to the United States in 2017 after obtaining his Green Card. He currently lives in Miami, Florida, and works as a medical assistant in a prestigious local hospital. He talks to us about his American dream and his career amid the pandemic.
An expat mum living her dream in Canada
Everyday life
An expat mum living her dream in Canada
Originally from Brittany, Anne-Charlotte first travelled to Canada when she was 20. And it was love at first sight, although she returned to France after some time. In 2018, she finally relocated to Quebec with her husband and son, who was only 18 months old. She talks to us about her dream come true.
Life in Paris amid the crisis through the lens of an expat
Everyday life
Life in Paris amid the crisis through the lens of an expat
Claudia is originally from Potsdam, Germany, where she was the chief editor of German movie website. Today, she is a relocation agent in Paris, the French capital that became her new home in 2014. Claudia talks to us about her love for Paris and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on everyday life, housing, etc.
Responsible travel: A challenge for this expat couple in Sri Lanka
Everyday life
Responsible travel: A challenge for this expat couple in Sri Lanka
Clémence, from Paris, is married to Fabien, who is from Geneva. From life partners, they have also become business partners. Since their move to Sri Lanka two and a half years ago, they have been running a guest house and are looking to promote responsible travel amid the global health crisis.
Meet Lilly, the expat who is constantly reinventing herself abroad
Meet Lilly, the expat who is constantly reinventing herself abroad
Lilly has lived abroad for more than 10 years. She has studied in the US, worked in Canada and is now pursuing the dream of becoming an entrepreneur somewhere in Central America.
From Germany to France for love of the language
Everyday life
From Germany to France for love of the language
Jasmin is passionate about the French language and culture. And this led this young German expat to relocate to France in 2017. From being a content writer, she also gives conversation classes to share her cultural knowledge. Jasmin talks to us about her career.

Other Types

How living abroad transforms family bonds for expats
Everyday life
How living abroad transforms family bonds for expats
Moving to a foreign country changes you and alters family relationships. You are no longer the same as before, and your family changes, too. How do you find your new bearings? How do you accept the changes induced by these long-distance relationships?
Understanding expat stress: High burnout yet strong resilience
Everyday life
Understanding expat stress: High burnout yet strong resilience
An expat's life seems to be a constant game of push and pull. Working and living abroad offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth and cultural immersion. But it is also filled with challenges: emotional, financial, and personal. So, what should expats do to find balance? And is it even achievable?
Reconnecting with home: How expats find comfort in familiarity
Everyday life
Reconnecting with home: How expats find comfort in familiarity
Moving abroad is a chance to build a new life. You get to learn a new language, meet new people, and adjust to a new culture. But with all the "new" around, some expats can't help but cling to the "old". For some, relocation makes them understand and appreciate the value of their home cultures in a way they never did before.
Why are more and more Canadians moving overseas?
Everyday life
Why are more and more Canadians moving overseas?
One of the top destinations for expats from around the world for decades, Canada continues to welcome foreign nationals despite its recent immigration reforms. However, a growing number of Canadians are choosing to move abroad. While this is not a new trend, it has been steadily increasing, which is quite troubling for a nation grappling with an aging population and seeking to retain its citizens. So why are more and more Canadians moving abroad?
Embracing the veil: Top destinations where Muslim women feel welcome
Everyday life
Embracing the veil: Top destinations where Muslim women feel welcome
Combining a new life abroad while practicing your religion is not always straightforward, especially when you choose to wear a visible sign of your faith. It significantly depends on how open the host country is. Many Muslim women who choose to wear the veil say they are particularly sensitive to how their religion is received in a foreign country.  
What expats should expect from the world's most stressful airports 
Formalities
What expats should expect from the world's most stressful airports 
Air travel can be stressful. You need to arrive early, check the size of your luggage, and go through customs. And then there are flight delays. But, apparently, some airports can raise your cortisol levels higher than others.