Guides, stories and insights for internationals building a new life abroad.
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Moving from a sunny country to a darker one can feel like a shock. One day you’re fine. Then winter hits, and everything feels heavier. If this is your first winter in Ireland, Canada, Russia, the Nordics, the UK, or Northern Europe, you’re not imagining it. Winter blues abroad are real, and they can surprise […]
by Marianna Spanou
Moving abroad in 2026 isn’t just about choosing a city you like. It’s a chain of small decisions: visa rules, money, housing, healthcare, paperwork, and what happens in the first 90 days once you land. 2026 is an especially important year to plan carefully. Europe is changing how its borders work (biometrics and new pre-travel […]
by Marianna Spanou
Visa-safe side jobs can help when you’re living abroad — but first, you need to understand what your visa counts as “work.” What feels like a small gig to you may still count as work to immigration officials. In most countries, “work” goes beyond a formal job. It can include “cash in hand” shifts, freelancing, […]
by Marianna Spanou
When you move abroad, you often end up in house sharing. Even though you aren’t a student in a dorm anymore, you are suddenly sharing much more than just a roof. You are sharing your kitchen, your living room, and even your daily moods with people who have their own unique habits. In many big […]
by Marianna Spanou
If you’re living abroad, you may be asking if you should stay or go home next year. You may know this feeling: Studies on expats show that many feel lonely, anxious or low at some point, and that big questions about “where I belong” can add stress. It’s completely normal to find the choice to […]
by Marianna Spanou
We talk to Brinsley McNamara, creator of Weird Ireland, about what exactly makes Ireland so weird.
by Celia Rhodes
If you want to study in Australia in 2026, there are some important new rules you need to know. Australia is raising its student cap, but visa processing may still move faster or slower depending on your university (provider) and when you apply. This guide breaks down why the changes are happening and what they […]
by Marianna SpanouHuurtoeslag 2026: Understand the new, money-saving changes being introduced for renters in The Netherlands.
by Celia Rhodes
You get a job offer in Ireland. The number looks decent. Then payday hits… and your bank app laughs at you. That “salary shock” is normal, because an Ireland salary is usually quoted as gross pay (before tax), not what lands in your account. Revenue (Ireland’s tax authority) takes its cut through PAYE, plus three […]
by Marianna Spanou