50 Expat Blogs From Around the World
Leaving one's homeland to start a new life on foreign soil, whether for personal, professional, or political reasons, can be a life-changing experience. The constant exposure to unfamiliar food, people, and environments can be exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. The following fifty expatriate blogs from around the world chronicle the emotional highs and lows of adapting to new local customs and making a livelihood as a stranger in a strange land.
Africa - Asia - Europe - South America - North America - Oceania
Africa
1. Iganda? No, Uganda! (Uganda)
American Lukas Fried has been keeping a blog of his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Uganda . The trials and tribulations in his transition have included having to use a forty-year-old physics textbook and reluctantly submitting to a buzz cut from a local barber who wasn't in possession of a pair of scissors.
2. Reflections from the Center of the World (Ghana)
After working in health policy research for three years, American Scott Kniaz made the move to Ghana looking for some “in-the-field” experience implementing health programs. His blog's title comes from the fact that Ghana is the closest nation to zero degrees latitude, zero degrees longitude, putting it smack dab in the center of the world (at least according to cartographers).
3. Living in Egypt (Egypt)
Canadian Maryanne Gabbani decided to move to Egypt after marrying an Egyptian-Canadian businessman so her two children could meet their father's family. She ended up making a permanent home there after her children voted to stay past the original two years, and has devoted her time to presenting a more accurate depiction of Egypt 's culture and people than what she saw on TV after the events of September 11th, 2001.
4. Tales of Life in Mozambique (Mozambique)
American Lynn Lagore has spent the last four years with her husband and children in rural Mozambique and South Africa , helping build schools, delivering food to orphans, and working to promote health and education in the local villages. Her children recently finished school in Canada after being home-schooled in the bush for eight years.
Asia
5. Sushi on a Stick (Japan)
Simon describes his experience with his family of “Australian barbarians” (his words) living in the countryside of the southern islands of Japan , working as a freelance Japanese-to-English translator. Recent blog posts have focused on his children's experiences in Japanese junior high school.
6. Teetotaled at Twenty-Six (Korea)
Amandan (the blogger ID shared by Americans Amanda Zengel and Daniel Magee) recount their experiences living the sober life (with occasional lapses) in South Korea . They take turns ranting about Barack Obama, healthy eating, American vs. Korean economic policy, and whatever else strikes their fancy.
7. Shanghai Scrap (China)
American writer Adam Minter has been living in Shanghai and writing about China's emerging recycling industry since 2002. His blog covers a wider range of issues in contemporary China, such as the impact of industrialization on China's fishing industry and the 2010World's Fair.
8. Shanghai'd: Our Year in China (China)
Howie and his wife Ellen have been living in Shanghai since Howie was laid off from his job with the South Florida Sentinel, which gave him the chance to accept a position at the English-language Shanghai Daily. They left behind their grown children and grandchildren, but regularly post photos of their many adventures in the big city to keep them and anybody else who's interested up to speed.
9. Michelle's in Cambodia (Cambodia)
Michelle left her job as a lawyer in Bristol in March 2008 and headed to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to travel, teach English, and write about her experiences getting to know the country and interacting with the locals. Her entries typically delve into political issues of the past and present, offering insight about Cambodian life.
10. Sticky Rice (Vietnam)
Mark Lowerson provides restaurant reviews and food news from his home away from home in Hanoi, Vietnam. He's written 25 reviews on 25 different restaurants' versions of ph?, the classic Vietnamese beef and noodle soup.
11. From Swerve of Shore (Vietnam)
Aaron Joel Santos is a professional travel and documentary photographer currently based in Hanoi. His photographs of indigenous wildlife and local goings-on about town show the many facets of life in modern Vietnam from a foreigner's perspective.
12. Still Life in Southeast Asia (Thailand)
After living with her husband in Buenos Aires for a year, the anonymous American author of “Still Life in Southeast Asia” moved to Bangkok, Thailand where she explored the Buddhist temples and other sights the city has to offer. A recent photo essay, “Cats of Wat Pho,” captures the lives of the many stray cats that have made the temple their home.
13. Diary of a White Indian Housewife (India)
Author Sharrell moved with her Indian husband to Mumbai in 2008 after meeting him in a club at Kolkata (he was the DJ) while on leave from her job in Melbourne , Australia . She has been writing about her experience adjusting to Indian life and traveling the country, while mixing in photos, recipes, and tidbits about Indian culture.
14. An American in Delhi (India)
In July of 2007, Jeanne Heydecker moved with her 14-year-old son and Siamese cat from Chicago, Illinois to Kolkata, India, to work for a dot-com business. She recently relocated to Delhi, where she writes about internet business in India and adjusting her personality so as not to seem like a rich tourist.
15. Bangalore Journal (India)
After living in Los Angeles for twenty years, Pervez Sikora moved with his family back home to Bangalore India . “Bangalore Journal” describes the experience of living as an expatriate in the US as well as the reverse culture shock of coming home after an extended absence.
16. Jen Does Delhi with VSO (India)
Jennifer Smith has been chronicling her experiences as a VSO (Volunteer Services Overseas) sign language interpreter in Delhi , India since June 2009, using her blog additionally to raise money for the Deaf Way foundation and share photos of her adventures in the Indian countryside.
17. The Grumpy Goat (United Arab Emirates)
A self-described “forty-something British expatriate,” The Grumpy Goat has spent the last nineteen years living in the Persian Gulf (six in Qatar, then thirteen in the UAE). His blog chronicles his gradually falling in love with the Middle East , as experienced largely on his motorbike “The Goatmobile.” He ends every post (often involving a rant about the UAE's traffic laws) with his goat-inspired emoticon signature, “]}:-{>.”
Europe
18. A Sociologist Abroad (UK)
The author of “A Sociologist Abroad” voluntarily repatriated herself from the American South to London South to escape what she calls her “hopelessly corrupt, morally bankrupt” home country. Her posts frequently tackle issues of social justice in England compared with the United States, especially along racial and gender divisions.
19. Paintscots (Scotland)
Jan Clizer moved from her hometown of Coeur d'Alene , Idaho to Scotland with the aim of studying Celtic history and art and capturing its timeless beauty through painting. Her posts give a historical and cultural background to the subjects of her paintings, which range from landscapes to wildlife to classical architecture.
20. 40 Shades of Life (Ireland)
“40 Shades of Life” author Evin moved from the United States to Cork City, Ireland in 2008. He started a blog to share his experiences (especially food-related ones) as an expat in “the land of 1,000 welcomes and 40 shades of green.”
21. A British Expat in Nice (France)
Jewelry artist Nicole Hill moved to Nice , France in July 2009 and has been steadily blogging about her adjustment to a French lifestyle. She gives each post a unique label (“technorati,” “toes,” and “toques brûlées,” to name a few), reflecting the erratic and unpredictable nature of her day-to-day experiences.
23. Mental Irrigation (Spain)
Author Sarah Jarrett is a 34-year-old Canadian expatriate living in Barcelona. Her blog recounts her forays into the city's active nightlife and sightseeing adventures with her boyfriend, baby and portable chihuahua dog.
24. United Statesian (Spain)
Bucking the trend of dodging anti-American sentiment abroad by masquerading as a Canadian, the anonymous “United Statesian” proudly wears his nationality on his sleeve as he exposes himself to the traditions and customs of Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. Blog posts area accompanied by Google maps that show the exact route traveled by the United Statesian during the day's adventures.
25. Rome Photoblog (Italy)
Jessica Stewart moved to Rome in 2005 to take in the history and culture of the ancient city, documenting her daily experiences with the help of her camera. Her lens is frequently trained on the diverse and vibrantly colored street art that blankets the walls and sidewalks of the metropolis.
26. Bleeding Espresso (Italy)
Writer Michelle Fabio left her hometown in Pennsylvania for the “medieval hilltop village” of Calabria, Italy in 2003. She has been there ever since, living on cappuccinos and taking care of her two dogs and three goats while working as a freelance writer. She's as devoted to her blog as she is to her coffee, answering nearly every comment posted on her site as well as e-mails.
27. Moscerina (Italy)
The author of this blog, whose nom de plume is Italian for “little fly,” is another freelance American expat living in Italy . Her posts tend more towards the kitschy and screwball, however, focusing more on the quirks of Italian life that can fascinate and befuddle the uninitiated.
28. Kölsch Encounters (Germany)
Blogging under the name Chikoln (combining his hometown of Chicago with his new home of Köln, or Cologne), this author quit his job as a video editor in 2009 and moved to Germany, despite not knowing a word of German and with no concrete job prospects. His blog mixes updates on his progress assimilating into the native culture with commentary and reflections on soccer, food, and the German language.
29. Somewhere Between Facebook and Flickr sits Fiona (Germany)
Like the “Kölsch Encounters” author, British expat Fiona moved to Germany knowing basically nothing about the country's language and customs, knowing just enough German to say “I am 13 years old” and “My sister is a dog.” In the weeks since her May 2010 move with husband and toddlers in tow, Fiona has settled in an apartment in Berlin and attempted to learn German by striking up conversations with her neighbors.
30. Invading Holland (Holland)
“Invading Holland,” or “The story of an accident-prone Englishman,” chronicles the adventures of a British computer designer who has been living in Amsterdam for the last seven years and has yet to get a handle on the Dutch language. His typically self-effacing British sense of humor shines in the many posts labeled “Accidents and Embarrassments.”
31. Symi Dream (Greece)
Neil Gosling has been blogging since December 2007 about his life on the idyllic island of Symi , located off the coast of mainland Greece . You might ask, “Why Symi of all places?” Fortunately, his “Why Symi?” page has a list of no less than 100 reasons he chose to live on the tiny island. Number 85: “Jumping from a boat into the transparent sea.”
32. Empty Nest Expat (Czech Republic)
Author Karen left her home in the US on August 1, 2008 (after her youngest daughter's high school graduation) to reside permanently in the Czech Republic's capital city of Prague, taking TEFL courses and then teaching Business English to Czech executives. Since assimilating into the local culture, her posts have focused on the country's music, cuisine, and history from an expat's perspective.
33. Touching Up My Roots (Croatia)
Jennifer Wilson's grandparents were born in an “ancient mountain village” in Croatia with the unpronounceable name of Mrkopalj (“MER-ko-pie,” according the FAQ). One hundred years later, Jennifer and her husband make the journey there from their US home as a family sabbatical. They're back in the states now; their book hits the shelves in spring of 2011.
34. From Russia with Love (Russia)
Eileen is an “Amerikanka” missionary living in Rostrov-on-Don, Russia since 1999 (blogging since 2006). She posts regular video and photographic accounts of her active life in southwest Russia 's largest city.
35. On Life in St. Petersburg (Russia)
Elizabeth is also a Christian missionary in Russia, but being a generation younger than Eileen she understandably has a very different perspective. Her October 2009 post “A Typical Day” outlines her morning routine, commute (3 to 4 hours), and her work and class schedule, leaving little free time for the American twenty-something.
South America
36. Bear-Shaped Sphere (Chile)
Eileen Smith's travel blog gets its name from when, as a first-grader, she misheard her cold-addled teacher explain that the earth was not a true sphere, but instead “pear-shaped.” Years later, she realized her mistake, but has nevertheless organized a travel philosophy around the whimsical idea of exploring every inch of the “bear-shaped” sphere that remained stuck in her mind.
37. And She Took Her Journey (Chile)
Donna Smith has been blogging about human rights issues, especially relating to persons with disabilities, as an education consultant in Santiago for the last two years. Recent posts focused on the Global Voices Citizen Media Summit 2010, which took place in Santiago May 6th and 7th.
38. Coconut Water (Brazil)
“Coconut Water” is Brynn Barineau's blog about life in Rio de Janeiro, representing her dream of one day being “a mashup of David Sedaris and Bill Bryson.” She received her M.A. in cross-cultural communication; many of her posts focus on problems in translation and cross-cultural differences.
39. An Expat in Lima (Peru)
Like many of her fellow expat bloggers, “Expat in Lima ” author has established deep roots in her home away from home. She married a Peruvian and has two sons and three dogs in her extended Peruvian family. She blogs about married life, cooking and world affairs.
North America
40. The Expatriate Mind (Canada)
For the last five years, “The Expatriate Mind” has been one man's love letter to the city and people of Toronto, with dazzling photography and video's documenting the American's insatiable appetite for Canadian living. When he's not gushing about the sights and sounds of Toronto, author J writes about immigration issues for American expats and international relations.
41. A Brit in Tennessee (USA)
The anonymous author of “A Brit in Tennessee” regularly updates her blog with photos of her home and the Tennessee countryside that she fell in love with years ago. Her cat Oliver makes frequent guest appearances, usually stretched out on a kitty pillow.
42. Biting the Big Apple (USA)
French expat Stephanie moved to New York , NY after spending twelve years in London. “Biting the Big Apple” chronicles the adventures of her two years living in her dream city from 2008 to 2010.
43. Danish Accent (USA)
Peter Fogtdal is a Danish writer currently living in Portland , Oregon and dividing his time between writing and teaching at Portland State University . His posts range from writing about the process of writing to political commentary and self-deprecating remarks about Danish and American culture.
44. Peeks at Mexico (Mexico)
Author Felipe Zapata (pseudonym) made the trip south to Mexico without any contacts or knowledge of Spanish. His observations about Mexican lifestyle and culture tend more towards the dark and macabre—he has another blog for the lighter side of Mexico, “ The Zapata Tales .”
45. Backroads Guide to Belize (Belize)
Allie Fox's “Backroads Guide” focuses mainly on her experiences in Belize and other parts of Central America from the Yucatan to the Mosquito coast in Honduras. She aims to paint a picture of local life that doesn't appear in guidebooks, paying more attention to the less-touristy roads and sites.
46. Life in El Salvador (El Salvador)
Unlike many of the other expat blogs on this list, “Life in El Salvador” is written mainly with the goal of helping deportees and their families adjust to life in the country. Posts provide updates on such topics as cost of living, the political and economic climate, and how to obtain residency and citizenship.
Oceania
47. Florida Girl in Sydney (Australia)
“Florida Girl in Sydney ” chronicles the life of an expat mom living in Australia , raising her small children, and realizing that while Aussies might speak English, it often seems like a foreign language. Highlights include seeing her sons speak with an Australian accent only to other Australians and taking up-close-and-personal encounters with the local wildlife.
48. A Texan in Oz (Australia)
Like many of her expat blogger colleagues, author “emseedubya” left her home and family behind in the name of true love, moving to Queensland , Australia to be with the man of her dreams. She blogs about “all things girly”: fashion, interior design, housebreaking her kitten, et cetera.
49. BRAMPA (New Zealand)
BRAMPA (BR, AM, and PA are the initials of the three family bloggers) tells the lives of an American family living in New Zealand. Their “Mini Egg Showdown 2010” featured an official egg randomizer (PA) and four discerning judges. The winner? Cadbury's mini-egg.
50. Broken Luggage (New Zealand)
“Broken Luggage” is co-written by a married couple from the United States who sold everything they owned and moved to New Zealand in 2009. Their blog chronicles their experiences adjusting to novelties in “The Land of the Long White Cloud,” including the lingo, the traffic, and having their accent be called “exotic.”