Guides, stories and insights for internationals building a new life abroad.
Babylon has put together two routes for young people interested in interrailing in 2026 including information on expenses, passes and plans. If you’re a student or a young adult looking for an affordable, exciting and accessible way to see Europe, interrailing 2026 might be for you. Interrailing is a common way to travel for young […]
Canada’s Start-Up Visa program is paused for new applications. On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced major changes to business immigration programs, effectively shutting the Start-Up Visa (SUV) to most new applicants. Key timeline The pause addresses a massive backlog. IRCC-linked reporting in late 2025 showed over 43,000 people waiting in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
We talk to Brinsley McNamara, creator of Weird Ireland, about what exactly makes Ireland so weird.
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 […]
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