International Schools - What to Think About When Moving Abroad

When considering a child's education in a foreign land most countries offer three alternatives: state schools, private schools and international schools. This article concentrates mainly on the potential benefits and drawbacks of international schools although some consideration is also given to the state school option.

Classes in international schools are usually taught in English and academic results are generally very good. The curriculum is most often British or American in style with the use of high school grades and SAT scores or International GCSEs at age 15/16 and A Levels or the International Baccalaureate at 17/18, the latter being recognized by universities worldwide. Subjects taught are also similar to those taught in the US or UK.

Almost all international schools are fee paying (although grants and scholarships may be available) and fees can be considerable. Average fees for a day school are around EUR 10,000 per year but it should be borne in mind that fees generally increase as the pupil grows older. For example, the average fees for children aged 12 or over are around EUR 20,000 per year. Furthermore, fees for boarding (as opposed to day) schools are much higher. In addition to yearly fees it may also be wise to consider the other expenses which are likely to be incurred when sending a child to an international school. These expenses might include a registration fee, purchase of a uniform, insurance, activity fees and transport.

Given the prohibitive cost, why do some expats choose international schools for their children's education? Sometimes they are the only choice if foreigners are not permitted to attend local state schools (as is the case in the United Arab Emirates) or if the state schools are full. Many parents are also concerned about the effect learning a new language and adapting to a new culture are likely to have on both their child's education and happiness. Typically young children take these challenges in their stride but older children may struggle or feel alienated. Another benefit of attending an international school is that it gives the parents a chance to meet other expats!

However, not all expats choose international schools and the state school option may in fact be preferable in some cases. Apart from the obvious cost savings a local state school is a superb place for a child to learn the new language and many expats find that their children are often fluent in the local lingo within a very short period of time. Speaking the language and adapting to a new culture are not only of immediate benefit but may also be useful in the longer term if the family decides to stay in the new country.

International schools can be found in or near most of the popular expat destinations. In other areas they may be more difficult to find. If possible try to choose a school affiliated with a respected international school association as they are more likely to meet minimum requirements as far as teaching or facilities are concerned.

Many international schools have waiting lists so it is always a good idea to enrol as soon as possible, a process which may involve entrance exams (most commonly in English and Maths).

Jamie Morris is the founder of Expat Focus - http://www.ExpatFocus.com - a leading website packed with information and tips for anyone moving abroad. Register at Expat Focus today and join us in the forums: http://www.ExpatFocus.com/register

Shipping Overseas to Greece: Important Things to Know About Cargo Shipping

Learning the custom and import rules for Greece can help save time and money when you are moving overseas. The import regulations for shipping to Greece are simple to follow if you plan ahead. Greece, which has over a thousand islands, has one of the longest coast lines in the world, therefore shipping your belongings overseas should be easy with the help of an international cargo shipping company.

You can ship household items duty free to Greece if you have a residence permit before you arrive. In order to qualify for a residence permit, you must either be:

1) Of Greek descent

2) Married to a Greek citizen, or

3) In possession of a work permit granted by the Greek government

If you qualify for a Certificate of Repatriation, you are allowed to bring certain items to Greece duty-free. For example, if you are Greek but you have worked out of the country for a few years, you can begin the repatriation process. This requires that you have a Greek Tax number by the time your items are entering the country through customs. You will need to contact the nearest Greek consulate in order to receive a duty-free certificate.

Currently, it may be difficult to obtain an employment visa in Greece. Greece has been hit particularly hard by the worldwide recession and is experiencing high rates of unemployment, especially for the youth. An employment visa can only be obtained if an individual already has a contract to work for a company in Greece or they are being transferred to a branch of their company in Greece. The employer must first prove though that a Greek national or European Union national is not able to fill the position. If you do qualify to work in Greece, you can work with the Greek consulate to obtain the correct visa.

The duty-free tax relief does not count toward any items that have commercial value, determined by customs officials by the type of item and the quantity. Alcohol and tobacco products are not duty-free; you will have to declare them at customs. Greece also places restrictions on a few items which you cannot bring into the country including:


Weapons
Drugs
Meat or dairy products

Only one of each electronic item is duty free. However, if you can provide a justification, such as family size, for having two or more of any one item, it is possible that those items can also be duty-free.

You can only make one duty-free shipment to Greece, so make sure to pack everything you need in one trip. You must be present at customs with your passport in order to receive clearance on your shipment. In order for all household items to remain duty-free, you cannot sell, give or lend any of the items for one year after import. If any of your imported items are sold or lent, you must pay the original custom taxes and you will have to make an overdue payment from the time it was first imported.

People who are moving to Greece to study can also import items related to their education duty free. Students can import clothes, furniture, and school related items such as calculators and books.

Interested in shipping a car to Greece? Vehicles can be imported to Greece duty free if you have owned the vehicle for at least six months. New vehicles will be subject to value added tax or VAT. You must also pay for license plates for all vehicles that you ship overseas and import to Greece. Just as with household goods, you cannot sell, give or lend anyone your vehicle for at least five years after importation or you will be subject to the original import taxes. In fact, no one other than a direct family member can drive the car for any reason or you could be subject to the original import taxes.

You can import a household pet when you are moving to Greece. All pets imported to Greece must be microchipped for identification purposes. All pets must be vaccinated against rabies. If you are moving overseas and bringing a pet to Greece, your pet will need a blood test, taken at least thirty days after the vaccination, in order to make sure the vaccine is working and protecting the animal. Finally, all pets must travel in a cage with the owner's name, postal address and telephone number listed on the outside.

Finally, before you move to or even visit Greece, you will need to have a yellow fever vaccine which you can get from a travel clinic is your area.

Moving to Greece is a great opportunity to live or work abroad. While moving a household to a new country can be stressful, knowing what you can and cannot bring with you will make it easier to relocate. Making a detailed packing list and packing similar items close together will make it easier to go through customs. An international shipping company can help you obtain all the correct paperwork to help make your move to Greece much easier.

Based about 30 miles north of Miami, Florida, Cargo Experts was formed by a team of moving professionals and cargo shippers who are committed to delivering outstanding customer service as they take care of all the details involved in your overseas cargo shipping. Ms. Bodner works with Cargo Experts and has many years of experience in international cargo shipping. Visit http://www.cargo-experts.net/about.aspx for more information about international cargo shipping services, including a free online quote for your international cargo shipping. For more information, call toll free at 1-866-994-7822.

Thinking About Moving To A Different Country To Live - Read This First!

So many people are giving thought to the ideal of living in another nation. With financial downturn increasing and liberties that once were, are now a thing of history. Increasing numbers of people are planning on moving to some location where the government and culture may match their individual life styles. Not to mention, the thrilling elements of living in a completely new atmosphere may bring emotions of freshness and quality to a person's life.

For those who have discovered that after living in the same nation after many years isn't providing you with fulfillment and have been interested in an additional culture or language maybe moving to another society is actually what you're searching for?

The very first things that may spring to mind when searching for a brand new environment are such things as, "What nations match my personal way of life?" or even "How will I support myself in a brand new location?" These types of concerns and much more will be of initial concern whenever considering a brand new spot to move to.

The advantage of moving to a new country would be the numerous types in which to select from. Be it another world or developing country, even first world such as European countries or even North America. Everything simply depends upon where you want to work and play. The kind of local weather you want to have around you plays a large function in the choices you'd be soon dealing with.

Have you got kids? How would they adjust to the altering environment?

Where would be the best spot to look for info you could trust when it came to your long term endeavors?

The best place may be checking your local library. You'll find a large number of books that would be able to help you produce an educated choice about an unknown abroad environment. Providing you with more info than maybe you could even use, but offering you an excellent first impression of the brand new nation to start with at the same time.

The web might be also an excellent location when considering moving abroad. With only a mouse click for the search phrase "moving overseas" or "living inside a new country" will be sufficient to gather a few solid details about living overseas. You basically would have plenty to millions of web sites ready to assist the would-be traveler to his/her location.

Family and friends may be a trusted source if someone you know has possibly visited a nation you've been considering going to. Perhaps you have neighbours who are from the different country and will be prepared to provide you with individual understanding to their culture, government, and language maybe.

Having the desire may also be sufficient to get the process started in the correct path of making a step-by-step plan. Occasionally the solutions that you'll require are around however it requires a little bit of selection and merely becoming confident with the info that's received before making an enormous choice. However remember it's your choice to make and that you only live once, therefore make certain in the end you do not leave with any kind of remorse.

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Thinking About Moving to a Different Country to Live?

Many people are giving thought to the ideal of living in a different country. With economic crises on the rise and freedoms that once were, are now a thing of the past. More and more people are thinking about relocating to a place where the government and culture will fit their individual lifestyles. Not to mention, the exciting factors of living in a entirely new environment can bring feelings of newness and freshness to one's life.

If you have found that after living in the same country after many years is not bringing you satisfaction and have always been interested in another culture or language then maybe relocating to a different society is really what your looking for? The first things that might come to mind when looking for a new environment are things like, "What countries fit my lifestyle?" or "How will I support myself in a new place?" These questions and many more will be of first priority when thinking about a new place to move to.

The good thing about moving to a new country are the many varieties in which to choose from. Whether it is a third world or developing nation, even first world like Europe or North America. It all just depends on where you would like to work and play. The type of climate you would like to have around you plays a big role in the decisions you would be soon facing.

Do you have children? How would they adapt to the changing environment?

Where would be the best place to look for information that you could trust when it came to your future endeavors?

The best place might be your local library. You can find dozens of books that would be able to help you make an informed decision about an unknown overseas environment. Giving you more information than maybe you could even use, but offering you a great first impression of your new country to start with at the same time.

The internet would also be a great place when thinking about moving overseas. With just a click of a button for the search term "moving overseas" or "living in a new country" would be enough to collect some solid information about living abroad. You basically would have tons to millions of websites all set up to help the would-be traveler to his/her destination.

Friends and family could also be a reliable source if someone that you know has possibly been to a country you have been thinking about visiting. Maybe you have neighbors who are from a different country and would be willing to give you personal insight to their culture, government, and language perhaps.

Having the desire is sometimes enough to get the ball rolling in the right direction of creating an action plan. Sometimes the answers that you need are all around but it takes a bit of selection and just becoming comfortable with the information that is received before making a huge decision. But always remember the choice is yours to make and that you only live once, so make sure in the end you don't leave with any regrets.

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Expatriate Living - Have You Thought About Moving Overseas For Work Or Retirement?

Over the last two generations or so, the population of the United States has become more and more mobile. Corporate transfers from state to state or even from one side of the country to the other have become quite common. Some individuals have even been transferred overseas. More than in the past, career advancement today frequently involves geographically relocating or at least considering the possibility of relocation.

When I was teaching in the university during my academic career, I found that in order to get a promotion or even an increase in pay, I most frequently had to change locations. It was much easier to progress in my career by relocating than it was to simply wait on a promotion within the university in which I was teaching at the time. I was able to progress in my career faster by making these moves. The working environment and the need to have more mobility today includes a larger geographical area.

Today the world has gotten smaller, largely due to advanced means of communication like the internet. Where I would have moved from state to state within the United States; others are now moving from country to country. Some have even become perpetual expatriate travelers, constantly moving from country to country.

The two major reasons for moving abroad are: (1) to work abroad, or (2) to retire abroad.

Working Abroad. With the expanding interdependence of world economics, it has become easier and easier to find international business opportunities. Developing nations are looking for skills that either are not yet available among their own population, or due to cultural reasons, are not considered desirable positions. For example, right now in 2010, the country of Panama needs contractors who are willing to build housing for lower socio-economic citizens. Even though the government is pushing programs to build this type of housing, few local contractors are taking advantage of this market. Those who are building for the expatriate population in the upper price ranges consider it beneath their dignity to build the less expensive houses. It might effect their image. So, the housing shortage continues.

Retiring Abroad. Retirees from the U.S. and many European nations are now looking at retiring to a location less expensive than their home country. Couple this motivation with those individuals who move for a new lifestyle, adventure, better weather, and a perpetual vacation (good goal; harder to accomplish), and you have a large developing number of prospective expatriates. Countries like Belize and Panama have recognized this opportunity and have designed specific retiree programs with a multitude of benefits for expatriates. If you are interested in retiring abroad, such programs can not be beaten. Check them out.
If you have a personality that craves change, living abroad is definitely for you. If you want a shorter change of environment, living abroad is also a good choice. Whether it is a new job, job transfer, long term vacation, or permanent residency you desire, living abroad has much to offer you.

Dr. Lamar Ross, a cultural anthropologist by training, has a special interest in training individuals for expatriate living and providing information on unique travel destinations. He is an author, educator, photographer, internet entrepreneur, and international traveler. He has lived in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and India and has traveled extensively in 29 different countries. He speaks both English and Spanish fluently and has a basic ability in several other languages. For more information on expatriate living, check out the blog Expatriate Traveler Notes

About Moving Overseas

Anyone who is going to try and make the move to living overseas somewhere has a very tough job ahead of them. You can start out by making a 3 month checklist of things you need to start working on getting organized at least 3 months before you even leave make the big move. For starters, you need to start determining what all you are going to try and take with you versus just purchasing when you arrive there. It is always easier if you have a lot of extra cash laying around and can eliminate most or all of your possessions and simply buy what you need when you get there. This simplifies moving greatly and makes everything much easier.

Therefore, before you get anywhere near your moving date, you should try to sell nearly everything that you own and turn it into cash. If you can get rid of all your clutter and have some extra cash to show for it then this will help you out greatly when it comes time to move. Less stuff to transport will save you time, money, and hassle in the end. For every item you can eliminate and replace later on it saves you greatly in all 3 of these areas.

The next thing you need to focus on is in choosing a competent moving company. If you still have a lot of stuff that needs to go with you then this is going to be of critical importance when moving overseas. If you cheap out and go with the absolute cheapest option available then you are possibly going to have to deal with damaged goods, lost luggage, or simply end up with missing stuff at the end of your journey.

Therefore it pays to go with a quality moving company that has good reputation and is recommended by other people. Do your homework in this department early on so that you do not suffer major problems later. A quality moving company can make the move go much smoother than it would otherwise.

Learn more about a moving overseas and what kind of horse jewelry you should take with you.

The Importance of Having Tax Information about Moving Overseas

Information is always valuable to the right people. Before doing anything or making any decisions, we always need information to at least give us an idea which decision to make. The more information we have the better. Of course, this depends on the nature of the information involved. This brings us to the question of why tax information about moving overseas is important.

First of all, tax information about moving overseas is important because of the fact that it allows people to budget their finances. When a person moves overseas, the experience would be like beginning a new life. This means every detail, especially finances, needs to be taken into account.

Some people, when they are anticipating expenses tend to forget taxes. Although people hate paying taxes, they know that it is a necessary part of life and they often choose to disregard it. Except during auditing periods, people usually try to forget about taxes. Of course, people pay taxes, but they like to do so in such a way that they would not actively pay taxes. Most have it deducted straight from their income.

Having tax information about moving overseas enables a person to anticipate the expenses. It will give the person an idea of how to save cash on moving. This, of course, will help a person have a great start in his or her new world.

Having tax information about moving overseas also gives you a glimpse of your destination. As we all know, taxes are set by governments. By knowing tax information about moving oversea, you can draw some conclusions regarding the government of your destination. Of course, all taxes tend to be seen by people as unreasonably high. Because of your own bias, you need to have some sort of standard to base your judgment on. The best thing to do is to compare the tax rate of your destination with the tax rate of your origin. If you see some significant differences, that would reflect the difference in the economic development of the two places.

Where do you get tax information about moving overseas?

Well, usually, this can be provided by various government offices like the DFA. It is also possible that you can get this information from a consulate. However, this can be a bit inconvenient and not to mention difficult ordeal. The best thing you can do is research on the internet. On the internet, various overseas moving companies would be willing to give you the tax information about moving overseas that you need.

As we all know, the internet today is the largest and most comprehensive source of information. Its power is actually only matched by its accessibility. The internet today lets people connect with each other wherever they are in the whole world. This means that you would not only get tax information about moving overseas, you would also get various tips and advice regarding what to do with that information.

Tax information about going overseas can be valuable in the same manner as all types of information can be valuable. It needs the right person to give it the right value. Because of this, it is always important to consider the value of a piece of information carefully before dismissing it. You need to know that the right information in the right hands can be a very powerful thing.