An expatriate (sometimes shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”).

Posts

Dealing with parental expectations

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At Christmas and during the summer many of us go home to our…

Growing old abroad

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Intercultural couples might never have thought about whose 'home' will be the one where they rest their bones. Couples who share one culture, as well as individuals may face the prospect of reverse culture shock. And some of us may even find we lose our acquired languages.

Children and native identity

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Native identity is often one of the hot potatoes that concern parents who are raising international children. What is cultural identity and what might be the new ground that our international youngsters might be capable breaking if we let them?

International friendships

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If you look at the friendships that survived your travels, you might notice that they are in a deeper, more lasting phase. Time and distance will have sifted out the one or two friends that are lasting, while others faded away. Just as there are different ways of making friends, there are also different ways of staying friends and expressing what we feel for them.

Reflections on finding my roots

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After thirty years of living abroad I am spending more time…

Where is home?

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Books read, hagelslag bought, cards, mostly written, and some even sent. I’ve been Home away from Home

Perfectly imperfect internationals

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When it relentlessly pursues us with its ‘must do and can do better’, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, something is out of balance. That's bad enough living in the comfort zone of your wn national identity, but for expats, who are already confused about the new cultural and linguistic paths they have embarked on, it can become a hinderance, rather than a help to settling in.

Changing identities abroad

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Many people experience the changing of their identities abroad.…

Dealing with the death of a parent abroad

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Reader Question: How can I better manage dealing with the death…