Expat of the month

Originally from Ecuador, Andrea is a mom and lawyer who has been living in the Netherlands for nine years now. After the country introduced a travel ban for family members from outside the European Union, she started a campaign for helping expat children in the Netherlands reunite with their parents and grandparents. But in May 2021, the government finally lifted this entry ban under certain conditions. Andrea talks to Expat.com about the impact of this campaign and expat children's rights in the Netherlands.

It's been more than a decade since Marcie, a US expat, has been following her spouse around the world for his career. The COVID-19 pandemic has got her stuck in California as her husband prepares for a solo move to Shanghai. Marcie talks to us about her adventures around the world and a book she recently wrote about marriage and compromise for trailing spouses.

Originally from Spain with German roots, Anja has been travelling since her early childhood. Growing up in Kenya, she studied in the UK before relocating to Chile, a country she had good memories from. Today, Anja von Dessauer is an Expat Life and Mindset Coach. She talks to us about culture shock and the challenges of making a new country your home.

Marina is an adventurous expat from Russia. Mum of two bi-cultural children, she has travelled and lived in many countries before relocating to French Guiana in January 2021, amid the pandemic. She talks to us about her quest for a better life for her family and herself.

Candice Smith is originally from Ohio, in the US. Her journey as an expat started at a very young age. Since then, she has been travelling the world, exploring cultures and learning languages. Today, she lives in Istanbul with her mum and daughter, with a rich career as an entrepreneur and beauty professional. She is also the author of two published books "The Black Girl's Guide to Being Blissfully Feminine" and "A Girl's Guide to Being A Lady in Waiting". Meet this passionate and determined Afro-American expat woman.

It was a rather unfortunate turn of events that pushed Vernon and his wife, both American citizens, to move to Belize in 2001. But it was never a decision that they regretted. In fact, the couple put their time, knowledge and resources into helping others build a better life for themselves. First with inmates at the Belize Central prison and today with blind, unemployed young people in Panama. Here is his story.

Today, Maya, an LA girl, is living with her husband in Singapore and expecting her first child. But Maya has not always had a companion on her Expat adventures. Indeed, a few years ago, right after college, young Maya left the US to teach in the Philippines, satisfying an urge to live abroad she's always had. In an interview to Expat.com, Maya tells us all about her expat adventures and her blog Maya the Explorer.

Behind the blog Londoner in Sydney, is Annabel Symonds. Seven years ago, travel enthusiast Annabel followed the love of her life to Sydney. Since then, the pair have travelled the world, taken Londoner in Sydney to new heights and attempted to move back to England. Annabel's blog has been featured in the Top 25 Expat blogs in the World by Feedspot and Top 10 Australia Expat blog by International Money Transfers. She tells us all about her thrilling expat life in the Land Down Under!

When living abroad and planning to have a child, many factors come into play: healthcare, maternity support, parental leave, daycare, and more. This wonderful life event requires good organization, especially when you're an expat. One important aspect to consider (if you choose to) is breastfeeding, particularly in public spaces. While natural, breastfeeding can be controversial, heavily criticized, discouraged, or even banned in some countries.