Why Learning Danish Is Harder Than You Think (But Worth It For Expats)
Expat Focus
Sigga Hansen joins the Expat Focus Podcast to share honest insights about learning Danish as an expat. As founder of Lingua Danica and one of Denmark's most experienced Danish teachers, she reveals why Danish is trickier than expected - and why it's essential for truly experiencing Danish life. Key Insights: Why Germans learn Danish faster than Swedes (surprising but true!) The pronunciation challenges that trip up most learners Why Copenhageners immediately switch to English The "hidden Denmark" you'll miss if you only speak English Real language learning strategies that work beyond apps ...
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Why This American Mom Was Stunned By French Maternity Care (And You Will Be Too!)
Expat Focus
Ever wondered what it's like to be pregnant in a foreign country? In this episode, Carlie chats with Sarah, an American living near Paris who recently welcomed her baby daughter Laura into the world. Sarah takes us through her entire French pregnancy journey - from those first nervous blood tests to her unexpected emergency C-section. She shares the real differences between French and American maternity care, including the shocking perks (priority cards that let you skip lines!), excellent healthcare coverage, and those amazing 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. You'll hear about the French...
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Moving To New Zealand Just Got Easier For Digital Nomads
Expat Focus
David Andrews, Director of Visa Visa Limited, returns to the Expat Focus Podcast to explain New Zealand's new approach to digital nomads. In this episode, we uncover the truth behind what's been called a "digital nomad visa" (but isn't actually a new visa at all!), exploring how visitors can now legally work remotely while enjoying everything New Zealand has to offer. David shares valuable insights about: How the visitor visa rules have changed to accommodate digital nomads Tax implications for remote workers from countries with tax treaties The current job market and in-demand skills in New...
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29 Moves Later: Expert Tips For A Stress-Free Relocation
Expat Focus
Devra Jacobs joins the Expat Focus Podcast to discuss how to achieve a "happy move" when relocating. Drawing from her experience of 29 moves, including living abroad in Korea, Devra shares practical tips on making the moving process as stress-free as possible. She discusses the importance of pre-move preparation, including what to keep and what to leave behind, how to pack efficiently, and how to handle pets and children during transitions. As the co-author of "A Happy Move," Devra provides insights on working with professional movers vs. DIY moves, the best times to relocate, and crucial...
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Easy US Tax Filing Abroad: Insights From MyExpatTaxes
Expat Focus
Nathalie Goldstein, CEO of MyExpatTaxes, joins the Expat Focus Podcast for an essential conversation about U.S. tax obligations for Americans living abroad. As an expat herself living in Austria for the past decade, Nathalie shares her personal journey and explains why she created a platform specifically designed to help U.S. citizens navigate their complex tax filing requirements from overseas. From understanding basic obligations and deadlines to avoiding double taxation, dealing with FATCA and FBAR requirements, and managing digital nomad tax implications, this episode breaks down...
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New Year, New Life: Your No-Nonsense Guide To Moving Abroad In 2025
Expat Focus
Life coach Bianca Tate joins the Expat Focus Podcast to share insights on how clarity, confidence, and courage are crucial for a successful move abroad. Bianca, with her extensive personal and professional experience as an expat in multiple countries, delves into common challenges like cultural shocks, the importance of community, and the steps to prepare emotionally and practically for an international move. She also provides practical advice for mid-career professionals considering relocation and emphasizes the value of having a clear purpose and holistic plan. #expats #expatlife...
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Could Trump's Presidency Impact Your Move To The US?
Expat Focus
Attorney Mena Maimone joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about the various pathways for moving to the United States in 2025. She explains common visas, such as the E2 investor visa, EB2 National Interest Waiver, and EB3 employment-based visa, detailing the requirements and processes for each. Mena shares her personal motivation for moving to the U.S., the key motivators for immigrants today, and the challenges applicants might face. The conversation also explores the potential impact of the upcoming presidential administration on immigration policies and provides insights on how to...
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Here's Why Americans Are RACING To Canada - And How To Join Them
Expat Focus
Moving has been a top priority for some Americans since the US presidential election, leading to a surge in inquiries to immigration consultants, Canada Abroad. Deanne Acres joins the Expat Focus Podcast to explain exactly what US citizens need to know if they're set on relocating to Canada. For a free immigration assessment, visit: For job outlooks in Canada, visit: 00:00 Why Americans Choose Canada 01:57 Immigration Requirements and Processes 04:46 Work and Study Permits 12:25 Retirement and Investment Options 21:37 Cost of Living and Cultural Considerations 22:45 Path to Citizenship 23:22...
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2024 Budget: What UK Expats Need To Know
Expat Focus
Jake Barber, Founder and Advisor at SJB Global, is back in this episode to talk through the recent UK Budget announcements, and what they mean for UK expats. You can stay up to date with expert analysis like this by signing up to our monthly newsletter - just head to expatfocus.com/newsletter. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:32 Overview of UK Budget Changes 01:16 Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax 04:02 Stamp Duty and Inheritance Tax 07:40 Impact on Pensions and QROPS 12:06 Non-Domicile Rules and Tax Planning 16:06 Economic Climate and Growth Projections 18:34 Global Comparisons and...
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The Truth About Property In Panama
Expat Focus
Is Panama a tax haven for expat property investors? What sort of rental return should I expect? Can I list on Airbnb there, and do I need to worry about hurricanes? On the show to answer these questions and more, is Melissa Darnay, the CEO of Choose Panama. Originally from California, Melissa spent 15 years in Texas before tragedy struck, and she went on to start a whole new life in Central America. We dive into how Melissa became a real estate and rental agency entrepreneur, what makes Panama appealing for investment today, some location hidden gems, and if you’re looking to buy property in...
info_outlineDevra Jacobs joins the Expat Focus Podcast to discuss how to achieve a "happy move" when relocating. Drawing from her experience of 29 moves, including living abroad in Korea, Devra shares practical tips on making the moving process as stress-free as possible. She discusses the importance of pre-move preparation, including what to keep and what to leave behind, how to pack efficiently, and how to handle pets and children during transitions.
As the co-author of "A Happy Move," Devra provides insights on working with professional movers vs. DIY moves, the best times to relocate, and crucial post-move considerations that people often overlook. She shares valuable lessons learned from her extensive moving experience, including how to avoid common pitfalls like moving during peak seasons or holidays, and practical advice on documenting your belongings for insurance purposes. Whether you're moving across the country or internationally, this episode offers essential guidance on making your next move a successful one. Learn more about Devra's book at ahappymove.com.
#ExpatLife #MovingAbroad #Relocation #ExpatTips #MovingTips #ExpatPodcast #InternationalMove
00:00 Introduction and Listener Feedback Request
00:35 Guest Introduction: Devra Jacobs
01:26 Devra's Moving Experiences
03:14 Achieving a Happy Move
05:35 Practical Moving Tips
10:36 Packing and Professional Movers
19:57 Managing Pets and Kids During a Move
25:01 Timing Your Move
31:35 Post-Move Considerations
34:41 Conclusion and Contact Information