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Living Abroad

Living Abroad Publishers and Book Reviews

Recommended Reading

There are a growing number of books that deal with all aspects of living in a foreign country. Readers have a wide variety of topics to choose from, from studying or working overseas, to doing business, investing, and buying property. Some books about living abroad are part of a series that covers several countries, while others are single titles that reflect the authors' field of expertise. With so much to learn and research before going abroad, getting good reading about your future destination is very important. The following list is a selection of the best books and book series for those planning to live in a foreign country. —Compiled and edited by Volker Poelzl


Avalon Publishing’s Living Abroad Series: “Living Abroad: Dream. Plan. Make it Happen” is the motto of this new series that helps people realize their dream of living overseas. The books include information on the country’s culture, people, and language, as well as on planning and making the move, health and finance, employment, housing, an overview of prime living locations, and more; available for Belize, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica, and Japan. Avalon Travel Publishing, 1400 65th St., Ste. 250, Emeryville, CA 94608; www.travelmatters.com, www.livingabroadin.com.

Buying a Property Abroad by Ben West (Cadogan Guides, London, www.cadoganguides.com. Buying a Property Abroad is a general guide for newcomers to get started in investing or relocating overseas. The book’s main focus is on European and English-speaking countries. It is primarily focused on destinations popular with British expatriates, but most of the information is also useful for Americans interested in buying property overseas. The main section of the book consists of profiles of 34 countries worldwide, with information about properties, financing, legal considerations, visas, and permits, as well as listings of books, real estate agents, and other useful resources. In addition to discussing issues relevant to buying real estate in foreign countries, the author also considers basic aspects of moving abroad, such as climate, language, safety, health, and insurance.

Country Business Guide series—“The Portable Encyclopedia for Doing Business” A comprehensive series for 12 countries that provides in-depth information and analyses for business travelers and companies. Covers topics such as business law, regulations, practices, industry reviews, business culture, economics, etc.; includes appendix of important addresses, business dictionary, and city maps. World Trade Press, 1450 Grant Ave., Ste. 204, Novato, CA 94945; Toll free: 800-833-8586 or 415-898-1124; mmanley@worldtradepress.com; www.worldtradepress.com.

Culture Briefings, www.culturebriefings.com, published by Geotravel Research Center, provide current, in-depth information on the customs, culture, and traditions of people in 15 different countries. Published in e-book format.

Culture Shock! Country Guides by Marshall Cavendish International Pte. Ltd. Practical information about foreign customs, etiquette, culture and ways of life for over 50 countries. The series also offers several titles on more general topics about the challenges of living overseas, such as “Living and Working Abroad,” “A Student’s Guide,” “A Traveller’s Medical Guide,” and “Working Holidays Abroad”; also publishes the new “Culture Smart” series for 26 countries, which are pocket guides to customs and etiquette. Available at book stores and via Amazon.

Expatriate Press publishes Robin Pascoe’s books about expatriate life. In Homeward Bound—A Spouse’s Guide to Repatriation ($16.95) the author provides practical information for spouses and their families returning home after living overseas. A Movable Marriage—Relocate Your Relationship without Breaking It ($16.95) covers valuable advice for couples and families moving overseas. Expatriate Press, 1430 Terrace Ave., North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7R IB4; 604-990-4532; www.expatexpert.com.

Expat World - the newsletter of international living. Expat World is delivered to expatriates, privacy-seekers, travellers, businessmen and other international-free-thinking people the world over each month. Free Trial Subscription! office@expatworld.net; www.expatworld.net.

The Expert Expatriate : Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad-Moving, Living, Thriving by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman. Written by long-time expatriates, this popular book is an authoritative guide on copying with the challenges of living abroad. Covers topics such as managing your move, language learning, confronting and adapting to the new culture, moving children and pets overseas, spouses’ issues, re-entry, and more. The book also provides personal, psychological, and hands-on advice for living abroad. Intercultural Press.

Geotravel Research Center: "Culture Briefings". Culture Briefings provide current, in-depth information found in no other single source on the customs, culture, traditions and ways of life of people in other lands. bmartin@culturebriefings.com, www.culturebriefings.com.

GenXpat: The Young Professionals Guide to Making a Successful Life Abroad by Margaret Malewski is a guide for young, mobile professionals. It covers many aspects of pursuing a successful overseas career, such as moving, work contracts, relationships, culture shock, social life, and re-entry.

Intercultural Press, 100 City Hall Plaza, Ste. 501, Boston, MA 02108; 888-273-2539 or 617-523-3801; fax 617-523-3708; books@interculturalpress.com, www.interculturalpress.com. Publishes numerous books on international living, travel, study and cross-cultural experiences. Other new titles include Vietnam Today, Finland-Cultural Lone Wolf, When in Rome or Rio or Riyadh, Latino Culture, and Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times.

The Japanese Way—Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes and Customs of the Japanese by Noriko Takada and Rita L. Lampkin. An alphabetical pocket guide covering many topics of living in another culture, such as etiquette, demeanor, customs, communication, social structure, cultural life, etc. A useful, concise companion for travelers and expatriates; also available in the same series for France, Germany, Italy, and Russia McGraw Hill, books.mcgraw-hill.com.

Live and Work in …(series). Vacation Work (U.K.). Titles in this British series are available for most West European countries as well as Australia/New Zealand; China; Japan; Saudi & the Gulf.

Passport to the World series. Available for 24 countries, these 100-page pocket guides contain useful information about business practices and negotiating styles, as well as about general customs, culture, etiquette, government, etc.. World Trade Press.

The New American Expat: Thriving and Surviving Overseas in the Post 9/11 World by William Melton. An in-depth guide to the challenges of living abroad in today’s post 9/11 world. Based on his extensive experience as an expatriate, the author provides practical information and insights for Americans embarking on overseas assignments, with special focus on safety, security, and topics such as how be an American while living and working abroad. Intercultural Press.

So Far and Yet So Near-Stories of Americans Abroad, edited by American Citizens Abroad (American Citizens Abroad. So Far and Yet so Near is a diverse collection of American expatriates’ personal experiences from around the world. The 47 stories address topics such as the challenges of adapting to a foreign culture, finding a home abroad, impressions of young expatriates, as well as dealing with exotic locales, identity issues, culture shock, and the changing perceptions American expatriates have of the U.S. The lively stories take readers on an inside journey around the globe, where the people, colors, tastes and smells of foreign cultures are brought to life with engaging narrative and keen insights. This book is not merely a collection of expatriate stories; rather, it is a vivid testimony to the challenging and enriching discoveries that await those who venture far from home.


 Recommended Reading by Country
Please see the list of the best travel and living abroad books for the countries below:
Argentina Greece Poland
Australia Hungary Portugal
Austria India Russia
Belgium Indonesia Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
Brazil Ireland Singapore
Canada Italy South Africa
Chile Japan South Korea
China Kuwait Spain
Costa Rica Malaysia Sweden
Czech Republic Mexico Switzerland
Denmark Netherlands Taiwan
Ecuador New Zealand Thailand
Egypt Panama Turkey
France Peru United Kingdom
Germany Philippines Venezuela
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