15 years, 7 countries and 3 continents later, I call myself an eternal expat.
I’m an Expat, Not an Immigrant – How to Redefine the Meaning of an Expat:
As an expat blogger and writer, the number one question I get asked is “why do you call yourself an expat and not an immigrant?” Now, I know that the word ‘expat’ turns people off. When they see ‘expat’, they read ‘privilege’ and imagine me walking with a sign on my...
How to Handle an International Move with Expat Kids
She gave the globe a spin, and as the continents, oceans and countries whizzed by, she looked up and asked “Mama, where is Australia?”
The Help: My Unspoken Dilemma of Expat Life
I confess - I have long had a rather complicated relationship with the idea of having help at home. I suppose it can all be traced back to my childhood in Pakistan. Growing up amidst a plethora of house help was the norm, for upper middle-class families such as ours....
On Expat Superpowers and Getting Out of Tricky Situations Abroad
I looked up at the government officer and could clearly see the confusion on his face. My Pakistani self, didn’t correspond to my American driver’s license or the residence visa in my Italian passport sponsored under my German husband’s name.
How To Do An African Safari With Young Kids
Despite all the advice of “they’re too young”, a South African safari with our two year old and five year old turned out to be an amazing travel adventure for the whole family!
“I’ll Send You That Email Tomorrow Inshallah!” Thoughts & Insights from a Muslim Expat Experience
I have never needed to live in a Muslim country, to feel connected to my Muslim identity.
The Expat Challenge: Managing Dual Careers Abroad
I remember the day like yesterday. I was sitting in our swanky hotel in Singapore, having breakfast. All around me, smartly attired men and women were eating breakfast before going to work. Their suits and ties and laptop bags reminded me of the life I had just said...
Why I Flew Half Way Around the World to Learn from People I’d Never Met Before – First Impressions from FIGT:
It’s a strange feeling getting on a plane and not knowing what to expect when you land. As expats, this is something we do all the time. Land in a new country and then fumble with a new local currency in our hands. Walk nervously into a café for a coffee meeting to...
Why Being an Expat is Good for the Soul
The truth is, that I learned how to open myself up to the world at an early age. My parent’s expats adventures in the Middle East and the United States meant that as a child, I was always dreaming of or remembering faraway places. Photo albums full of picnics in...
Helpful or a Hindrance? Multilingual Parents Raising Multilingual Children
I know what you’re thinking. How could being a multilingual parent, be a hindrance in your quest to raise multilingual children? How could it be anything but beneficial? After all, you are in a unique position to understand your children’s struggles and are in the...
Hi, I’m Mariam! When I was 19 years old, I left my home in Karachi, Pakistan to go on an adventure. What started off with just me and one suitcase, has turned into a full-blown expat adventure. Read more about me and my family.
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