Guides, stories and insights for internationals building a new life abroad.
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Australia is changing its plan for international education in 2026, and these updates can affect your study plans in a real way. If you want to study in Australia – or you’re already there – you need to know what’s changed and what it means for you. The government has […]
by Marianna Spanou
When politicians talk about migration, they focus on protecting public services and managing numbers. These are legitimate concerns that governments need to address. But here’s what often gets left out: families. Family reunification doesn’t grab headlines like small boats or work permits do. Yet it affects hundreds of thousands of people every year. Family migration […]
by Marianna Spanou
When you move to a new country, finding “your people” can take time. For some newcomers in Ireland, that search ends in a rehearsal room full of drums, harmonies, costumes and laughter – at Fusion Murga, a multilingual, community-based music and theatre group in Dublin. Romi and Ro, both migrants themselves, co-founded Fusion Murga in […]
by Marianna Spanou
You walk through your new neighborhood in December, and something feels different. The decorations do not look like the ones you know. The music sounds new. The smells from bakeries do not remind you of your childhood. This is Christmas when you live in another country, and it can change how you think about the […]
by Marianna Spanou
You might think your job interview performance depends only on your CV and your answers. But the time when you sit in that chair can also affect the outcome, especially around lunch and the so-called “hungry judge effect”. Does interview timing really matter? When you pick an interview slot, you usually look at your calendar […]
by Marianna Spanou
You want to eat better. You want more energy, a clear mind, and food that makes you feel good. But then you open your wallet, look at the prices, and wonder how a bag of salad or a small pack of chicken can cost so much. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever thought, “Healthy eating on […]
by Marianna Spanou
China’s services sector cools and unemployment remains moderate, but youth joblessness and structural shifts complicate the outlook. Here’s how the latest data on China’s job market trends affect expats and job seekers. China job market trends: Services slowdown and a fragile recovery As of December 2025, China’s job market shows mixed signals. A private survey […]
by Marianna Spanou
Migration today looks very different from what it used to be. More people now move to study, work, or build a better life somewhere new. When you look at the global map, you’ll notice that many people are now heading to places that offer education, careers, safety, or just a fresh start. You might even […]
by Marianna Spanou
Official reports and private surveys show that China’s housing market is still weak. Demand for homes is low, even though new-home prices have risen a little. Here’s what expats need to know. Prices and transactions: late‑2025 snapshot Data from October and November 2025 show a “two-speed” housing market in China. According to the National Bureau […]
by Marianna Spanou