Shmi Shem

Expat (noun: shortened version of expatriate (singular); expatriates (plural) - a person who lives outside of his / her native country (google dictionary). A person temporarily or permanently residing outside of his / her country of citizenship (wikipedia). Synonyms: migrant, emigrant, non-native,  émigré, guest worker, foreign worker. 

Expat Life : A category in Shmi Shem's website detailing the activities and experiences undertaken by an expatriate in his / her country of residence.

In places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, where expatriates are common, some locals perceive the lives of the latter as glamorous. Expat forums detailing or bemoaning expat packages don't really help. However, not all expats live the same way. A growing number of expats don't live in swanky condominiums in the Central Business District or in posh neighborhoods. Some don't have maids or even drivers. There are still those who live the life of a C-level executives and their spouses are more likely involved in philanthropic endeavors but more and more expats are living the middle-class life than those of the upper 1%. 

Here on Expat Life, I'll be sharing my experiences and knowledge gained while living outside the country of my citizenship. In time, I will also be sharing other people's experiences.  Note that people's experiences are different. My expat life in the USA can be vastly different from someone who lived there even if we did live in the same state, city or town.

I've broken Expat Life further into Life Overseas, Succeeding in Singapore, and Global Citizens.  Life Overseas will cover topics ranging from apartment hunting to looking for health or medical practitioners. Succeeding in Singapore will be about people who managed to carve out a career in Singapore, mainly women. Global Citizens will be about people traveling or living in different parts trying to make a difference in their lives or the lives of others.