The Expert Expat: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad

I am a new expat on my first assignment with my spouse and 2 children. I wish I had this book before I left the United States. It is full of extremely good information. The authors stress the importance of handling family issues. They really hit the nail on the head in describing the feelings and emotions that can arise on the part of family members involved in an international relocation. There are numerous sections of the book that address the special issues of spouses and children, and provide excellent advice on how to deal with them. Read in conjunction with The New American Expat: Thriving and Surviving Overseas in the Post/9-11 World, and a couple of the top expat websites, like www.expatexchange.com and www.transitionsabroad.com, these sources provide all the necessary information to make your overseas experience enjoyable and successful.

Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman's indispensable book covers all the practical aspects of adjusting to life in a foreign country. They pay particular attention to factors that can help or hinder an expatriot's adjustment. Every chapter includes short, personal sidebars recounting the experiences of those who've lived and worked abroad, an addition which brings the book to life with insightful, useful and often hilarious detail. We from getAbstract recommend this book to anyone who is considering relocation to another country. To be at home anywhere on the globe, supplement it with a couple of books about the specific country where you are going. Pay attention to the advice about planning ahead, then get your shots, tuck your passport in your pocket and head for the airport. (Don't forget to pack this book; you may need it for re-entry.)

So you got that dream job.... London, Tokyo, New Delhi, Pretoria? When you get there, you discover that you're "Not in Kansas any more." Trust me, I have done it five times, a move abroad is not like moving across the state or across the country. Suddenly you are far fom home, far from the people and things you know and love, and everything seems to work just a little bit differently. And if you think it is bad for you, just ask your spouse and kids.... Nevermind, Linderman and Hess do a great job of helping you with all the concerns that you might have in your move. This book sets forth the good, the bad, the ugly, and the funny in an international move. Even if you are lucky enough to have a corporate move-planner to assist you, this book is a gem to help you get ready psychologically for the move and what comes afterwards.

When you're moving overseas for the first time, what you want is advice, support, and perhaps more than anything else, the reassuring voice of reason. That's just what this comprehensive guidebook provides, which is what makes it such a boon to first-time and even experienced expatriates. The authors, both experienced expatriates themselves, offer refreshing reading on almost every imaginable topic pertaining to moving and living abroad: preparation, arrival, learning a foreign language, culture shock, moving children, moving pets, health care, and a special section for accompanying spouses. Full of down-to-earth advice spiced up with personal anecdotes, this book belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who's moving, living, or even considering a move abroad. *** I wrote the review above for the first edition, but I have to say that the 2007 edition is even better. For one thing, there are more anecdotal passages, which always makes for more interesting reading, and I do think that expats learn best from others who've gone before them. Secondly, since security has become more of a concern since 9/11, it's good that this new edition addresses security concerns much more comprehensively. This is a must-buy for anyone living, working or about to move overseas, especially since support from employers, particularly in the private sector, varies so much from company to company. It's good to have a book that thinks of everything.

Save yourself the trouble of placing a second order and get 2 copies to begin with. You'll want one for yourself and inevitably you'll meet up with someone who you want to give a copy. This book is very readable and full of tips and practical advice for preparing for a relocation...and for coping once you arrive. Especially for first time expats, the authors will help you anticipate (and deal with) many of the challenges that could otherwise throw most of us for a loop. Alot is common sense advice but when you are faced with the many decisions involved in an international move, clearly writtten common sense advice helps. Living overseas can be fabulous if you don't get overwhelmed. The Hess-Linderman book will help you get settled and also help the new friends that you will be meeting - take an extra copy with you to give away.