InterNations Blog

Magazine Topics Campaigns & Contests Changemakers Culture & Traditions Expat Expert Family Life Friends & Relationships Intercultural Communication InterNations Community Jobs & Business Language Mental Health Relocation Settling In Travel & Leisure Community Life A Chillingly Good Time: Events in October From awareness-raising events to popular celebrations, there’s plenty of variety to be found in the event calendar this month.

Taking care of your health Of course, taking care of yourself should always be on the agenda. But if you need a reason, October offers two! It’s both the Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as Mental Health Awareness Month — both important topics that are also being picked up in our communities. In Abu Dhabi, for instance, Ambassadors hosted an Official Pink October Event on 18 October in honor of affected women and cancer survivors.

1. Singapore When asked about whether or not it’s easy to deal with the local bureaucracy and authorities, 70% of expats in Singapore said “yes!” — that’s nearly twice the global average of 37%. And over a third even give it the best possible rating (35% vs. 12%)! But to be fair, Singapore already has one big advantage: English is one of its official languages.

InterNations turns 18 — it’s time to party! Every year in September, our communities around the world throw big birthday bashes to celebrate InterNations growing one year older. And this year was no different! The Brussels Community had a Happy 18th Anniversary with an Armenian Touch celebration on 2 September.

Melissa has lived across multiple places and shares how each place left its own mark: “Some gave me laughter, others gave me loneliness. But in every city, I searched for something real. In Mexico, I found warmth — not just in the sun, but in a friend who taught me how to trust my intuition again and start a tarot and coaching business. In London, I learned boundaries the hard way, specially in the finance industry.

A picture speaks more than a thousand words Did you know that 19 August is World Photography Day? Not that our members need an excuse to go out and snap some pics in the first place! Earlier in the month, for example on 2 August, the Montréal Museums & Exhibitions Group headed out for a walk and some Street Photography in Old Montreal. Whether abstract or in focus, with or without people, we hope you all had a great time capturing unposed moments of city life.

Eat spicy like a Mexican Now this might not be a tip for everyone. But if you can handle (and enjoy) spicy food, then you’re in luck! The capsaicin in chilis tricks your brain into thinking you’re overheating, triggering your body’s cooling system. You sweat, your blood flow increases, and thus, you cool down. Plus, capsaicin releases endorphins. So you’ll not only feel cooler but also happier — maybe that’s the secret to expats’ happiness in Mexico.

Taking Care & Getting Active This month is International Self-Care Day (24 July) — a great opportunity to reflect on your health, lifestyle, and what makes you happy. Meditation is one way of practicing self-care, as experienced by the Montréal After Work Drinks Group on 20 July. Members enjoyed Summer Vibe Drinks and Meditation in the park to connect with their inner self and one another. With their Peaceful Evening of Meditation, the Istanbul Spirituality and Wellness Group had a similar idea.

Interest in work abroad is trending upwards The desire to work internationally is on the rise as seen in recent studies. A new global study conducted by Ipsos of over 10,500 workers across 19 countries reveals that nearly 50% of the professionals surveyed would consider relocating internationally for work — a notable increase from 46% in 2017. Furthermore, HRO Today revealed that 44% of Gen Z believe that working remotely should not be confined to one’s home country.

The upcoming holiday season can be particularly tough if you’re not able to join your loved ones back home. Luckily, there’s always your InterNations family that you can fall back on! Of Santa Hats and Lighting Candles In Dublin, members got around to an early start with their Christmas Celebration on 7 December.