When did we go from a peaceful calm celebration with family, friends and/or neighbors to this commercial nightmare? I am not going to tell you that Christmas is about baby Jesus. Of course for some it is, and I respect that. In fact, it is a beautiful way of celebrating. But Christmas can be many different […]
A culture shock guide for Christmas
10/12/2014 by Leave a Comment
Hélène Rybol is the woman behind the Culture Shock Toolbox, a website for expats and international students – or future ones – and travelers, filled with musings, checklists and mantras. Now she is out with an e-book on the same theme. Christmas gift idea? Culture Shock – A Practical Guide is a how-to guide that will help you […]
Living in another language
09/11/2014 by Leave a Comment
Hélène Rybol is the woman behind the Culture Shock Toolbox, a website for expats and international students – or future ones – and travelers, filled with musings, checklists and mantras. CLEW is happy to feature her musings on living in another language. So I’ve been thinking about what happened when I started living in another language. […]
Seven. Lucky seven. Seventh heaven
20/10/2014 by Leave a Comment
Everyone is aware of its magical allure. Seven is the most common dice roll in gambling. In ancient times, seven celestial bodies could be seen by the naked eye. There are seven continents. Seven seas. Seven days in a week and seven wonders of the ancient world. Don’t forget the seven colors in a rainbow. […]
Am I going to have a heart attack doctor??
14/08/2014 by 1 Comment
It is funny, but nobody ever asks me that question. Doctors love to talk about cardiovascular risk (i.e. your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke). Patients often get very upset if their cholesterol is a little bit out of range, or their blood pressure is too high, but patients and doctors are […]
DIY: Bedroom facelift
11/07/2014 by Leave a Comment
Is your bedroom bland and simple and in need of a face lift? Here are two quick and easy DIY’s: 1) Buy a piece of fabric (I bought one at Ikea that looks like old, weathered plank) and simply nail it to the wall with small, black nails. 2) Another easy way to zest up for example the guestroom is to […]
Expat and the City (let’s leave out the S)
03/07/2014 by 2 Comments
When the partially homesick desperate expat wife goes to certain big cities, she might suddenly and surprisingly find herself longing for a new expat experience. In New York for example, she gets all confused, wanting to be Carrie Bradshaw (or at least have her job) instead of Susan, or – God forbid – Charlotte instead […]
A red, white and blue high
19/05/2014 by Leave a Comment
When you visit your home country after many years abroad, do you feel: a) like a stranger/foreigner b) patriotic to the point of bursting c) like a funny/good/awkward mix of a) and b)
Where’s my Apfelstrudel?! Or why we should drop preconceived notions
03/05/2014 by Leave a Comment
Hélène Rybol is the woman behind the Culture Shock Toolbox, a website for expats and international students – or future ones – and travelers, filled with musings, checklists and mantras. CLEW is happy to feature her musings on Apfelstrudels and preconceived notions. Our expectations shape our experiences. While that is something we might know, we may […]
After all the boxes have been unpacked
26/04/2014 by 1 Comment
It’s Printemps des Poètes in Luxembourg this weekend – Spring of Poets. CLEW is proud to have a poet of our own, and equally proud to present his poetry, that you… as expats, on the move… might recognise yourselves in. After all the boxes have been unpacked and most of the “WhoWhatWhen Where do I, How can […]
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