Product Description

This book not only covers the practical aspects of relocating; it enters unchatered territory, laying emotional and cultural groundwork to help the expatriate thrive.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #308624 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 270 pages

Customer Reviews

the first one was good, this version is even better!
I think some of the people who reviewed this book must be talking about the first version, published several years ago. This version does a great job of covering modern means of communication, telecommuting careers for expat spouses, etc. It also addresses the increased security concerns of a post 9/11 world. It is no way outdated, as far as I can see.

The strongest part of this book is its accurate description of the challenges faced by "trailing" spouses. I so wish that I had had this book before our first move overseas. It would have helped a great deal to understand the stages that I was going through, and the advice on getting connected at post wouldn't have hurt, either. There is nothing like personal advice from those who have been in your shoes!

Secondly, the chapters on cross cultural adjustment and communication are very well done. Again, nothing like advice from those who have been there. The tips are presented in a very matter of fact, non-judgmental way, with plenty of illustrative anecdotes, and with acknowledgment that there are some things to which we may never adjust, no matter how hard we try! This book does not tell you to try to blend in, but rather to find your own place as an expat within the local culture. That is the most we can realistically achieve in most foreign countries, and not a bad place to be, as a matter of fact.

Other chapters on moving with kids, with pets, etc. are chock-full of useful information gleaned from the practical experience of both authors and their many experienced expatriate interviewees.

I've lived in six countries as an expat, and I would highly, HIGHLY recommend The Expert Expat to anyone preparing for an overseas move, especially spouses!

Better than ever -- and it was great before!
Before you go, while you're headed there, and even after you've moved, you'll find "The Expert Expat" an indispensable guide to living outside your country of citizenship. If you have the time or money for only ONE book, this is the one to purchase. Frequent "asides" from experienced expats illuminate the suggestions and information given in the ten chapters. Companies and organizations sending employees abroad should make sure families are given a copy of this book along with country specific material as soon as an expat assignment is accepted.

Great book, but only answers the HOW, not the WHY
I'm so glad there are books like Expert Expat that tell you and try to show you how to live overseas. I never knew they existed before either, since expatriation from America is a subject that the US media considers taboo and non-existent. But yet, it's very real because many are dissatisfied in America and realize that it's not the ideal world it claims to be, nor is it the place where whatever's not possible is not possible anywhere else.

In fact, my greatest discovery overseas is that: "Beyond North America, the social climate is INFINITELY more natural and free flowing, and I am NEVER without attractive female companionship."

This book though, only gets into a few reasons for expatriation, describing only a few benefits that are at the tip of the iceberg. The rest if mostly a how-to guide that covers some practical aspects of it. So far, there hasn't been a book that addresses all the deep real life reasons for living overseas. In short, it talks only about the HOW of expatriation, not the WHY. And shouldn' the WHY be dealt with first? That's what all these authors seem to be missing, except for me. Perhaps the "WHY" reasons are taboo?

Thus, I've volunteered to become the first to address the deep "WHY" reasons and put together a website and ebook called Happier Abroad at http://www.happierabroad.com to help inspire people to pursue international living, dating and traveling, and cultivate an awareness of the positive benefits overseas unknown to most Americans, who instead are living in fear and isolation perpetuated by the US media and culture which tells them that there is nothing good outside the US and that you are empty inside and need to work and consume to fill that emptiness. It's a soulless life lacking connectedness with others and inner life.

Check it out. It'll give you a whole new dimension on life.

Thanks for reading this review.

Sincerely,
Winston