While there was some confusion as to whether the order to “celebrate the new year in a sombre manner” would cover the whole spectrum of entertainment and parties it would appear that all clubs, parties and private events were targeted. However, there are a number of posters who have suggested that private parties still went ahead to celebrate New Year which again brings western values into conflict with the middle eastern traditions and culture.

There are a number of people both living in the region and outside of the region who are surprised that Sheikh Maktoum still has so much control over the United Arab Emirates but many are possibly missing the point and historic style of leadership in the region. The ruling sheik has kept very close control of the region for many years and even the property market, which was recently opened up to international investors, is under strict supervision and subject to regulatory changes which can happen overnight. Indeed, we recently saw the effective banning of certain forms of mortgage finance as a means to protect the financial sector and property market in these troubled economic times.

As we have covered in some of our earlier posts, historically the United Arab Emirates leaders have turned a blind eye to many western style activities which possibly conflicted with local culture. However, the recent case of an unmarried couple from the UK who were caught in a compromising position on the local beach appears to have been the “straw which broke the camel’s back”. Since then we have seen a number of initiatives by the authorities to stamp out the growing problem of cultural differences between expats and the local community.

There is some debate as to whether the recent change in leadership style towards non-Muslim activities is just a short-term flexing of the muscles or a longer term change in style. The banning of New Year celebrations brings home the fact that the United Arab Emirates is a substantial player in the Muslim dominated region and a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. The fact that the last-minute change in plans seemed to have upset a number of Western settlers in the region would not have caused any concern within governmental circles.

Conclusion

Even though it appears a number of private parties were held against the wishes of Sheikh Maktoum the vast majority of those living in the Dubai area seem have adhered to the leader’s wishes. While this move yet again highlights the overriding position of the local culture it also brings into play the Palestinian and Israeli problem which could spread across the region effecting economies and property markets.

The first question is about the make up of the East End of London and whether the area is suitable for a new family moving from Canada. A number of contributors to the thread have highlighted how diverse London and East London in particular is with a number of nationalities, standards of housing and general facilities available. There are also some interesting comments about the ongoing and recent developments in the East End of London such as the Docklands and Greenwich.

It is also interesting to note that many people believe the catchment area for central London is larger than many visitors expect due to the extended tube and public transport network. This brings into play other areas such as Essex and others a little further afield, where property prices may in some instances be lower than the East End of London. London is an enormous city and one which offers a diverse population and extended public transport network which is unrivalled across the country.

There are many other questions on the thread including the location of various parks and greenery in and around London, the standard of schools in the region and a general point about which areas of London the family should consider moving to. It appears that North London and South London have historically attracted the highest number of expats to the UK but the ongoing development of the East End has added a new element to the mix.

This thread demonstrates the growing popularity of London amongst overseas workers and while the current economic climate may not be the most helpful for those looking to relocate, London should be one of the first areas of the UK to recover in due course. The ongoing expansion and development of the East End of London perfectly demonstrates how significant investment in and around the capital has increased the catchment area for the central business district.

Schooling can be quite a tricky matter for those new to the UK as the difference between private and public schools can be vast. There are also various regulations and guidelines to consider regarding the so-called “postcode lottery” which can limit the schooling facilities available to young children. As with any move overseas it is vital that you do your homework as soon as possible and “set the ball rolling” at the earliest opportunity.

London continues to be a seriously strong magnet for overseas visitors and those looking to relocate full-time overseas. However, the standard of living and the cost of living can vary dramatically across the capital and especially where young families are concerned it is essential that all avenues are investigated. Which area of London is more suitable depends upon the standard of living you require and your budget.

The more common factors to consider include:-

Cost of property

While we would all like to buy the big mansions and have the exclusive use of large properties overseas we need to be sensible in choosing a potential new home. What is the point of spending the vast majority of your money on a large property, whether you buy or rent, and having little left over to enjoy the new life that you had always dreamed of?

Economy

The underlying economy of the country you are considering move to should be very much at the forefront of your thoughts as a weak economy can so often create a chain reaction which could have serious consequences for your livelihood in the region. As we have seen over the last few months the worldwide economic slowdown has seen a number of governments around the world exclude foreign nationals from various areas of the employment market in favour of the local population.

While the current situation is a very exaggerated episode this is something that you should consider - why move to a weak country where the economy and your standard of living could change for the worst in the future?

Employment prospects

This is very much part of the economic argument above although even in the boom times, as a foreign national, you may well experience discrimination in some areas of the employment market which you need to be aware of. The more successful expats are those who are able to offer a skill or experience which may well be missing or in short supply in the local economy of your new homeland.

Cost of living

Again this is partially linked to the cost of property in that what is the point in moving to a country where the cost of living may be high and leave you with very little excess funds to enjoy life. The whole point of moving overseas is to make a better life for yourself but if the vast majority of your money is spent on everyday items and everyday requirements you may well suffer on a social front.

Weather

Many people who move overseas from countries which have inclement weather will often mention warmer weather as one of their main criteria for moving. While this has been commonplace for many years the last few years has seen the introduction of global warming to the mix and the potential for serious changes in weather patterns around the world. While possibly too early to be taken as a serious consideration when looking to move overseas there is no doubt that unless serious inroads are made into problems with global warming and the weather patterns of the world they will become more and more of a consideration.

Conclusion

Choosing to move overseas and where to live is a very personal decision and the reasons for doing so will vary wildly between different parties. However, there are a number of common factors which need to be considered before you should even contemplate moving overseas, hopefully to a better standard of living.

There are many places around the world which spring to mind as possibly the scariest places you could visit but what do you really know about these countries once you scrape away the top layer and start to dig a little deeper into what is actually happening on the ground.

Colombia

Colombia is a country which has been wracked by infighting for decades, is seen as a centre of the cocaine industry and has a reputation for extreme violence but is this the Colombia of today?

While it would be foolish to suggest that Colombia does not have its problems there is no doubt that much of the violence which dictated the country’s reputation overseas has receded during the 1990s to date. The political situation is very much more stable, the economy is in better shape than ever before and slowly but surely the country is making its way back into the civilised world.

Zimbabwe

In many ways it Zimbabwe has had a detrimental impact upon the whole of Africa as it continues to grab the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Astronomical inflation, large-scale poverty, infighting and a political situation which has been on the edge for many years has seen many companies pull out of the region and substantial political pressure placed upon president Mugabe.

The racial friction between the white settlers and the “traditional” Zimbabwe population has reached fever point over the last few years and many believe the country is at the point of no return. Slowly but surely there have been changes to the ruling government and the opposition parties now have a small say, at least in public. Zimbabwe is for many one of the scariest countries in the world at the moment although many on the ground suggest that the extreme violence is very much centred upon a small area of the country. For a country as beautiful and historic as Zimbabwe to find itself effectively cut off from the developed world is heartbreaking for many, but there is hope for the future.

Conclusion

These are just two of the countries mentioned on the original thread but they do perfectly illustrate how the public perception of the country can be right and can be wrong. Countries attract a reputation for historic occurrences which they can find very difficult to shake off even when there has been much reform and much change in the country.

Thankfully, the Internet offers those looking overseas the chance to get to the bottom of a country’s reputation and look behind the headlines which so often dictate our initial perception of a country. While there are some very dangerous countries out there, many have changed of late and their reputation from many years ago can be so very different to the modern day climate.

One of the main professions which appears to be transferable to each and every area of the globe is the teaching of languages which can often speed up entry to a new country and open up a vast number of opportunities. However, before we all rush off and start our language courses many countries will only accept the top level qualifications for the teaching of language to ensure quality prevails.

So what languages should you be looking at?

There are many languages which are spoken around the world but the top 10 include:-

Mandarin Chinese

This is a language which is spoken either as a primary or a first language by nearly 900 million people around the world and number one in the list.

Spanish

While Spanish language may be a surprise entry at number two in the list it is spoken by over 325 million people worldwide and continues to grow in popularity.

English

For a country which is so small the fact that the English language is spoken by over 300 million people around the globe is a massive reflection of its historic popularity.

Arabic

While Arabic is spoken by just over 200 million people as a prime language some experts put this figure in excess of 400 million which would actually catapult the language to number two in the top 10 list.

Hindi

This predominantly Indian language is spoken by in excess of 180 million people and is a central element of many local communities.

Portuguese

The Portuguese language is very popular in South America in countries such as Brazil where there is an historic link resulting in nearly 180 million people speaking the language.

Bengali

While maybe something of a surprise in the top-10 list the Bengali language is spoken by around 173 million people around the world.

Russian

Even though we have seen a gradual reduction in the power of Russia and the demise of the Soviet Union there are still around 150 million people in the world who have Russian as their primary tongue.

Japanese

It will be no surprise to see Japan in the top 10 with Japanese spoken by 128 million people and a growing number of these are outside of the country.

German

The amalgamation of East and West Germany has created a super power within Europe and resulted in nearly 100 million fluent German speakers in the world today.

While these figures do tend to fluctuate from year to year the information above does give a starting point for those looking at teaching foreign-languages overseas as an entry point and their long-term reason to be allowed to stay. While it is not quite as simple as that, the ability to teach a well known and popular language in a foreign land can have amazing benefits.

This particular post opens an interesting debate about Japan and mobile phone technology because many people just assume that as the country is central to many of the major breakthroughs in the mobile phone industry it can accommodate various mobile phone brands and services with no problems. The truth is that unless you have a quad band mobile phone which is specifically manufactured for the international market you may have problems with communications.

As these phone services are often sought after by people looking to work in Japan for a set period of time there can often be a requirement for free incoming calls and value for money international call charges. As with any technology-based product or service you need to shop around for the best deals as they can literally change from day to day and week to week and have a serious impact on your budget.

There are a number of options when looking to arrange a mobile phone service in Japan which include:-

Using your current quad band mobile phone

Even though your mobile phone may be able to accommodate the Japanese networks and the technology used over there you will still need to sign up to a local network to get the best deals available. Even phones which are deemed to be “unlocked” are generally only compatible with a small number of mobile network providers so the “unlocked” description can be misleading.

For those using the likes of Vodafone there is already substantial coverage from this leading mobile network service provider as well as many others.  It is simply a case of signing up to the local Japanese network (e.g. Vodafone Japan, etc) after checking the charges and terms and conditions. The main benefit of using your own mobile phone is the fact that you may well be able to retain your own number although you may pay a little extra for this.

Hiring a mobile phone

There are a number of mobile phone hire companies in Japan whom you can arrange a deal with before entering the country and literally pick up and drop off your phone as you arrive and exit Japan. These phones are fully compatible with the local networks, can in some cases offer free incoming calls, offer fairly good value for money and can be a godsend for those in a foreign land for the first time.

However, in order to arrange these deals before you arrive in Japan you will need to confirm your identification, supply a valid e-mail address and an address check to ensure that you do not run off with the phone!

Conclusion

We recently covered a similar story on the blog in relation to Internet service providers overseas and the fact that many travellers just assume each and every service is compatible and the same price. Like the Internet, the mobile phone industry is very different around the world and you need to do your homework and make preparations before you land, if possible.

Internet availability

While the vast majority of the developed world will offer access to the Internet there are still some areas of the world where Internet capabilities are basic to say the least and sometimes non-existent. To assume that you can just pick up your laptop and receive the Internet anywhere in the world is naive to say the least and potentially suicidal if you have an online business which you need to monitor.

Internet costs

As with Internet availability there is a wide variation on Internet service costs around the world with places such as the UK vastly more competitive than many other countries where Internet connectivity is available. Those in countries such as the UK and for example the US often take these services for granted and it is only when moving to countries where the industry is less well developed that we start to appreciate what we once had.

While some areas of the world may offer more expensive connectivity options than your homeland there is an ever-increasing competitive edge and costs should reduce in real terms around the world as more and more countries open up to the Internet and competition increases.

Type of Internet connectivity

While the likes of the UK depend upon telephone lines for Internet and broadband connectivity there is also the option of mobile Internet which is becoming more and more popular in the UK. Other countries such as Italy for example may offer a less well developed telephone Internet service but will offer access to cutting-edge options such as satellite Internet two-way connections. It is worth checking out the market of the country you’re looking to relocate to and seeing exactly what Internet services are available and their reliability.

Working from home

More and more people around the world are choosing to work from home with the Internet often their only connection to the office or their business. As we have suggested above, the reliability factor of any Internet connection is vital as is the standard of service available should you encounter problems of a more technical nature. Some countries around the world have a better reputation than others when it comes to customer care and customer service although this can also fluctuate from company to company.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking at Internet connectivity for personal use or business use in your new homeland it is vital that you do your homework prior to any move as delays and an unreliable service can often prove costly.

This particular post, and numerous others, seems to replicate the process and procedure which many people go through when looking to move overseas. In this particular instance the student in question is on the verge of obtaining an MBA in business management and looking at the potential for employment and relocation to Italy. However, the post flags a number of oversights and initial concerns which include:-

Why are you looking to move overseas?

In this particular post there is no reference as to why the person in question is looking to move to Italy and indeed there is little indication that they are fluent in the language or the culture. A number of replies have suggested the person involved should first of all consider why they are looking to move overseas and implications this will have on their future life.

Employment prospects

It is well flagged in many sections of the forum that the current economic climate is not the best time to look overseas for a new life. Many countries such as Italy are experiencing a substantial increase in unemployment numbers, the economy is slowing substantially and the country itself has substantial debts. Against this background the chances of a foreign national obtaining the relevant visa under their own steam and finding a position in the short term are very much reduced.

As with many countries around the world we are seeing a “closed shop” approach with preferential treatment given to the local workforce ahead of foreign nationals. However, it is much easier and more likely that new recruits to countries such as Italy will stand more chance of employment if they are sponsored for their visa by an international employer.

Where to live

While there is nothing wrong with asking advice about where you should live in a foreign land, when considering such a move, the vast majority of successful relocations would normally see the people involved have a rough idea themselves of areas they want to check out. Asking specific advice on such areas can reap substantial rewards on the forum but walking into a potential move “blind” can often ask more questions than it answers.

Is the grass always greener?

One poster on this thread has suggested that many young people who look to move overseas are often “blinded” by the idea of a dream life in a foreign land when reality can often be so very different. Living a fantasy can be good in the short term but in the medium to longer term when your life overseas returns to a less frenetic pace the novelty factor can often, and has often, worn off.

Conclusion

Before even contemplating a potential move overseas you really need to think long and hard as to whether this is the right move you, what a change would offer you, what you want and how to go about it. A move to a foreign land can often seem like a dream before you get there but unless you are prepared both financially and for what you may experience, it can and has turned into a nightmare for so many people.

In the rush to arrange a move overseas many people seem to forget that while work or perhaps retirement is their main reasons for moving they also need to accommodate periods of relaxation and a social life. If you are working overseas for any length of time it is actually unhealthy to be working 24 hours a day seven days a week without a break for periods of fun and laughter. While many people are prepared to “put their heads down” and work exclusively when they are overseas there can be a detrimental effect on their productivity.

Expat community

Each and every country in the world is highly likely to have an expat community which you can appreciate and mingle with. How often do you see people from your homeland while on holiday and very quickly they become “your best friend”?

While at home if you were to see a stranger in the street you may not even acknowledge their existence, it is often so different in a foreign land if we see somebody from our homeland. Expat communities are very useful if you require assistance or advice on any aspect of local life although in some ways they can shield you from a more genuine experience of the country you are in.

Social activities

Many expat communities will have either pubs or clubs where you can visit and mix with new friends or else they may also arrange a number of sporting activities such as those mentioned in the original post. There is also the fact that as more and more people move overseas this can induce a local interest in “foreign sports” such as karate, football, rugby and basketball which historically may not have been as popular in the region. The bottom line is, if you do not ask and put yourself around you will never find out exactly what is going on possibly under your nose.

Socialising does not have to cost big money

Many people who move overseas for work in particular often feel guilty if they spend money socialising when they are supposed to be building up a nest egg for themselves or their families. However, socialising does not always need to cost big money and there are many sites to visit and experiences which will literally cost you nothing but take you away from your working life and give you a break for a short time. Working every hour you can will eventually demoralise and exhaust you which can then place more pressure on you at the time when you need to be relaxed and focused.

Conclusion

All work and no play can make you a very boring and potentially stressed person!

However, many are now questioning whether you can invite international workers into a foreign land because of the skills and experience they have, as well as taking their investment, and ignore their beliefs and practices in favour of the local culture.

Are we moving towards a two tier cultural system in foreign lands?

The two camps are very much at odds on this subject which has attracted more than its fair share of attention over the last few years in particular in places such as the Middle East. The friction between the Western world and the Middle East has been there for many years but lately, due to economic growth in the region, many differences have been put aside to facilitate both parties. Areas such as the Middle East have enormous investment potential and Western companies have the skill, experience and workforce which many developing countries are crying out for.

When in Rome do as the Romans?

Many people feel that when in a foreign land you need to appreciate and accommodate the local culture and local beliefs not only as an expression of respect but as a way of joining the local community. Unless there is some appreciation of the local culture we run the risk of substantial enclaves in foreign lands which will house for example European workers who will have little or no contact with the local community.

Should different cultures meet each other halfway?

Many people believe that the fact many foreign workers have been “invited” into a new land they should be able to live as normal a life as they have been used to, based upon their own culture and their own beliefs. While many people appreciate this position there is a need to ensure that potential clashes are avoided and possibly some activities and practices carried out away from the local community.  One such example is the consumption of alcohol in Dubai by Western nationals which is at odds with local regulations but has been accommodated by the authorities for many years, if done in private.

Conclusion

While there are many different angles and elements to consider when looking at potential clashes of cultures and beliefs there is a feeling that moving to a foreign land should also include the appreciation, or at least part appreciation, of the local culture. However, for those workers who are from foreign lands where cultures and beliefs may be very different there is an argument for at least part accommodation of their practices.

One country where the clash of cultures has in the past been a problem is the UK although a number of accommodations and changes have been made to avoid serious unrest. However, there will always be one party suggesting the authorities have gone too far and another suggesting that more integration is required. This is an argument which could go on and on for some time yet.