Community Blogs

Tokyo, Japan

• Feb 28

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), a Japanese passport is the most sought-after in the world as of 2023. No wonder many expats living permanently in J...

Sarah Tanaka

26

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Feb 28

The Sunday tianguis is the best local source for fresh Caribbean lobster in Playa del Carmen — plus how to buy direct from fishermen and make a morning run to Puerto Morelos.

Sofia Martinez

33

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Feb 28

Working in Luxembourg is an attractive option for an increasing number of expats. However, before you start searching for your dream job in the Grand Dutchy, yo...

Thomas Weber

24

Warsaw, Poland

• Feb 28

Traditional Polish dishes: pierogi (potato-cheese/sauerkraut-mushroom dumplings pan-fried with onions), bigos (multi-meat hunter's stew simmered for days), żurek (fermented rye soup in bread bowls), Krakowska kiełbasa, dark rye bread, 12-dish Wigilia Christmas feast.

James Crawford

32

Bern, Switzerland

• Feb 28

In Switzerland, income tax is levied by federal government (30%), cantons (40%), and municipalities (30%) with progressive rates from 0-11.5% federally, varying by canton and location.

Ingrid Vogler

26

Rome, Italy

• Feb 28

For a relatively small country, Italy sure packs an array of climates, topographies, and cultures into its 20 regions. New arrivals to the country will disco...

Marco Rossi

24

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Feb 28

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera revolutionized Mexican art through personal self-portraits and public murals celebrating indigenous heritage, defining modern Mexican identity.

Miguel Hernandez

48

Warsaw, Poland

• Feb 28

Wojtek was a 440-pound Syrian brown bear who served as an enlisted Polish Army sergeant in WWII, carrying ammunition at the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944.

James Crawford

28

Doha, Qatar

• Feb 28

Getting vaccinated in Qatar is a pretty straightforward procedure. And, although the county doesn’t have a mandatory vaccination schedule, vaccines are free ...

Ahmed Al-Rashid

31

Singapore, Singapore

• Feb 28

EUR accounts in Singapore are available from digital providers and banks including DBS, UOB, HSBC, and Standard Chartered for daily transactions, savings, and international payments.

Kevin Lim

24

Pretoria, South Africa

• Feb 27

Healthcare in South Africa can feel like choosing between two worlds. Public clinics offer affordability and open doors to everyone, but often at the price of l...

Rachel Ndlovu

33

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Feb 27

Who Are the Dutch? Beyond the StereotypesAfter six years living in the Netherlands, I've moved past the stereotypes to genuinely understand Dutch people..

James Van Der Berg

27

Warsaw, Poland

• Feb 27

Stańczyk: Poland's legendary 16th-century court jester who used humor to criticize power. Immortalized in Matejko's 1862 painting at Warsaw's National Museum.

James Crawford

70

Global, Global

• Feb 27

Oh, Valentine's Day: the annual day of hearts, roses, romance, chocolates, and maybe even wedding rings. At least, that's what we've come to know of it. But how...

The Expat Collective

29

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Feb 27

Bull shark season runs November-March (peak December-February) at 20-25m depths. Costs $150-250 USD, requires Advanced Open Water, 5-15 sharks per dive.

Miguel Hernandez

30