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Amazing Capitals Amazing Capitals city & regional expat guides assisting cities and businesses to attract and retain One day, I was asked to relocate to Germany.

Helping cities and businesses to attract and retain expats, Amazing Capitals are powerful online resources, expat guides full of must have information, insights and knowledge to inspire and help international residents lead better lives in their new location. Amazing Capitals is opening expat guides in new cities and offering opportunities for licensees. Published by a Brit who has lived lengthy a

nd shorter periods in UK, Germany, Spain, France, Finland and travelled some 60 countries. I needed to take care of formalities, create a new home, find great places to go out, meet others and take care of my own wellbeing. Yet I knew nothing, had no language skills and no cultural awareness. Some years later, British Consulate staff attending my business club in Düsseldorf, Germany asked if I could assist them with their many enquiries. So in 2007, the concept to support expats, cities and businesses cities with Amazing Capitals online resources was born. The latest eGuide was introduced to Valencia in 2018.

Fear Driven Recruitment Zwei.Following reflection upon Finland, a look at Germany is next, where the lack of trained sta...
17/02/2024

Fear Driven Recruitment Zwei.

Following reflection upon Finland, a look at Germany is next, where the lack of trained staff is known as “Fachkräftemangel”. The phenomenon is ever-present and has been so for a very long time.

Viewing more specifically North Rhine Westphalia, the state capital Düsseldorf boasts its cosy 650,000 residents. A powerful economy belongs to the neighbouring Ruhr Metropolis, an area with some five million people. Vastly different, yet both require far more staff than the national labour pool can offer.

Many years ago, I attended a speech held by the Italian Ambassador in the Industrie-Club, home to a large number of venerable members. I quote him loosely but he stated that the Germans love the Italians but don’t respect them. The Italians, on the other hand, respect the Germans but don’t love them.

Could this sentiment play a role in too few professional staff relocating from abroad? Or are other characteristics at play? Germans have always been renowned for their dedication to work. Yet they were not considered the most jovial nor friendliest of nationals. The rise of politics to the far right may be of concern to some looking to relocate but pushback from society is also strong.

The country and its folk have changed much over recent decades. I personally can vouch for a more diverse cultural landscape and heightened “laissez faire”. Although somewhat lacklustre, the globe’s third largest economy remains strong and quality of life is generally high. Especially for expat residents.

I was able to learn rudimentary language skills after three months and speak proficiently within a year, so I consider German fairly easy to learn. The weather is nothing to write home about but is normally far from extreme. And the country is ideally located to visit dozens of other nations with ease.

Internationally operating local corporations and highly successful, family owned businesses are widespread as are those in foreign ownership, be it the US, UK and EU, China, Korea, India, Japan or elsewhere. These big players are experienced in employing international talent. Others are less so.

Could it be that company leaders are reluctant to hire from overseas due to a perceived disruptive effect upon customary staffing traditions? Is it the language barrier, culture or more? Is there a reluctance to recruit in case the new employee or possibly their family fail to integrate and feel at home in their new place of residence? Or does the mere lack of experience create an element of fear-driven employment?

Cycling past an advert, I screeched to a halt. My feed on social media has been presenting me with similar job ads, causing me to wonder about the folly of demographics, geo-positioning and targeting options. But this was new to me. The airport in Düsseldorf is targeting passers by. A search for jobs online reveals, perhaps understandably, that non-German speakers have no initial options:

Düsseldorf Airport's job plattform (sic) offers a variety of job vacancies. Either for the Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH itself or for companies being located at the airport area. To search for job vacancies, internships or duale (sic) study programmes please click the link below. The button says “View German version” and a click reveals 18 positions:

The effect on business development and predictability through having positions filled is undeniable. Secondly, the influx of foreigners has long proven to be highly rewarding to so many. And I wish to help.

Meanwhile all success to the airport and its candidates. The job fair is being held on February 27 2024. Free entry.

To be continued…

Sources: https://www.dus.com/en/corporation/jobs; https://www.dus.com/de-de/konzern/jobs/stellenangebote/flughafen-düsseldorf-gmbh.

Fear Driven RecruitmentAs Monty Python once sang, Finland is “So close to Russia”. Located way up in northern Europe, th...
16/01/2024

Fear Driven Recruitment

As Monty Python once sang, Finland is “So close to Russia”. Located way up in northern Europe, the tip of Lapland is also over 1100 kms or 700 miles farther north than the south coast. Not only long, it is also the fifth largest nation in the European Union behind France, Spain, Sweden and Germany.

The country is fascinating and so are the Finns, of which there are not so many living there. Whilst Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ireland and Slovakia reveal fewer residents, Finnland with over 5.5 million people is by far the least densely populated.

And yet, the country thrives. Having spent many a summer flying there for the weekends, I often came across roadworks during a drive the cottage. A week or three later, repairs were completed over long distances and contraflows gone. Both road surfaces and journeys were smooth again. I have never seen such efficiency in any other country.

Infrastructure is not their only area of excellence. Schooling, public transport, aviation, ecology and quality of life rank among the world’s finest.

And yet, when it comes to international recruitment, Finland struggles similarly to many other countries. Since experience shows this is a global phenomenon, is it the case that the language is a barrier?

Having tried to learn Finnish twice, I could agree. Whilst my mother tongue is English, my German is almost as proficient. Drop me off in Paris and I’ll communicate fairly well in French, even if using somewhat banal vocabulary. In Madrid I may require a glass of wine but I can hold a conversation in Spanish too. I can thus attest to Finnish being far from easy for me but innumerous foreigners excel in speaking with natives.

Yes, winters can be cold and dark. And long. But summers are equally warm. And, due the light, even lengthy. Is it perhaps the mosquitos? Not really. I have experienced more in Düsseldorf. The cost of living? No. Whilst prices may be inflated, salaries are proportionately high too.

Employment opportunities exist in their thousands. So much so, that even such a strong economy suffers. Unique measures have been introduced to help attract international staff.

Recruitment events

The national Talent Boost Summit took place in November last year in Vantaa. It is, quote, “the most exciting business event of the fall! The event will offer concrete knowledge and practical tools regarding the recruitment of international talents and diversity topics.”

Just prior to that, another event known as the Work in Helsinki-Uusimaa Region was held in October in partnership with EURES, European Employment Services and ELA, the European Labour Authority.

The upcoming Contact Forum in Helsinki January 25 this year is “Finland’s oldest and largest recruitment and career event for university students” and held annually. With 135 companies already registered, it clearly reveals current circumstances.

The most fascinating?

To quote the Helsinki authorities from last year, “The City of Helsinki wants to provide work for people - regardless of language skills. On 4 April 2023, Helsinki City Hall will be hosting a Work for You recruitment event, bringing together employers in Uusimaa and international jobseekers. The event is aimed at jobseekers who have moved from abroad as well as companies that do not require their employees to have good Finnish or Swedish language skills.”

This is a huge step, especially since governments across the globe require language proficiency to become a resident.

Since all these events were local, is international recruitment considered questionable?

Or is it the case that employing their first foreigner who is not proficient in Finnish is for many companies a step too far? That recruitment is at times fear driven?

To be continued…

Sources:

Work for You: https://www.hel.fi/en/news/the-city-of-helsinki-wants-to-provide-work-for-people-regardless-of-language-skills; Contact Forum: https://contactforum.fi/en; Talent Boost Summit: https://www.workinfinland.com/en/tyonantajat/tapahtumat/talent-boost-summit-2023; Work in Helsinki-Uusimaa Region: https://europeanjobdays.eu/en/event/work-helsinki-uusimaa-region

Contemplating this story, I am reminded of my hero, an incomparable Peanuts character from Charles M. Schulz. That brill...
21/12/2023

Contemplating this story, I am reminded of my hero, an incomparable Peanuts character from Charles M. Schulz. That brilliant philosopher and avid writer named Snoopy is portrayed sitting crouched over an old typewriter as those famous words “It was a dark and stormy night” appear.

The Christmas line “Twas the night before Christmas” is also known by countless millions of children. So too, the last line of the same poem, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”.

As we approach the threshold of a new year, an annual festive season is repeated that some consider divine, yet others dread. It would seem that roughly a quarter of the world’s population celebrate Christmas. In some countries the celebration seems ever-present for weeks on end, rather than a mere couple of days.

So, considering how many have embraced the birth of a child in Bethlehem, it may be fun to consider another, more recent, character’s heritage and how the story of modern day Yuletide cheer has evolved over time.

A Night

Firstly, the deer with reins, since they go back a long, long way. Originating in Scandinavia, the Nordics, Russia and covered in fur from head to toe, they are especially suited to life at the north pole. Since the Finns claim Santa Claus is from Rovaniemi a little further south, the herding of reindeer by the Samis seems poignant. Furthermore, these beautiful animals were revered in Pagan mythology, later becoming part of European Christian customs. Following their introduction to the wider North American continent, they were popular with the Inuits too.

Fast forward to 1821 when a sleigh with a single reindeer is first mentioned in an anonymous illustrated children’s poem published in New York called Old Santeclaus with Much Delight. This predates publication of the aforementioned poem by two years, when a sleigh was pulled by eight reindeer named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, V***n, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. Copywriter Robert L. May created Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer in 1939 and their numbers swelled to nine after songwriter Johnny Marks adapted the story of Rudolph into song in 1949.

A Star

Now to the big man himself, who is considered to be born of Greek heritage in Myra during the time of the Roman Empire. An early Christian bishop, his life spanned a surprisingly long life of 73 years. He became the patron saint of children, students and adults from many walks of life.

In the Netherlands, this saviour and man of good deeds was known as Sint–Nicolaas, later to be referred to as Sinterklaas. The Germanic region and surroundings also referred to Saint Nicoaus as the Christkind or Christkindl. Whilst he is still celebrated in several European countries in early December, Dutch settlers in New York were instrumental to his arrival in the United States of America. Little did they know that this was to have impact the world over.

As they say, appearances are everything and this character certainly changed styles over time. Author Washington Irving’s Knickerbocker’s History of New York introduced Americans to Saint Nicholas in 1809 as a jolly old Dutchman who parked his wagon on rooftops and slid down chimneys with gifts for sleeping children on his feast day. Yet artist Alexander Anderson’s image of that same Sancte Claus drawn in 1810 was more religious in nature.

The man’s contradictory transformation remained slow until the prose cited above was published anonymously in 1823. A Visit from St. Nicholas was later credited to Clement Clarke Moore. Three lines in particular give a delightful impression. Whilst he was dressed in fur, He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. His colours were destined to appear later.

It was 1863 when cartoonist Thomas Nast depicted Santa in A Christmas Furlough wearing a cloak with stars whilst seated on his sleigh pulled by reindeer. In 1864, Santa wore yellow in a later edition of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, to wear red only 4 years later. Nast’s Merry Old Santa from 1881 saw him more rotund, sporting a fluffier beard and today’s image was born!

On the cover of The Life and Adventures Of Santa Claus in 1902 by L. Frank Baum, Santa is drawn wearing black, carrying a sack of presents and climbing into a chimney. Many illustrations followed. The Coca‑Cola Company’s Christmas ads commenced in the 1920s with a strict-looking Santa Claus. Following artist Fred Mizen’s Santa in 1930, illustrator Haddon Sundblom was engaged. From 1931 to 1964, their advertising featured images of the famous character in various scenes and a tradition was firmly established.

Dramatic stories do, however, reveal curious surprises, so enter Santa’s English origins. Although early references mention the mid-fifteenth century Sir Christëmas, they begin in earnest with Ben Johnson’s Christmas, His Masque referring to Old Christmas in 1616. Parliament banned Christmas in 1647 but it was restored a mere 13 years later. Nineteenth century Father Christmas appeared with Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol in 1843 before today’s version also started to surface in Britain from the 1870s onwards.

A Surprise

Interestingly, the political publication Harper’s Weekly had a soft spot for old Kris Kringle. As have the US Continental Air Defense Command and its successor, the joint Canada and the United States bi-national air defence command NORAD or North American Aerospace Defense Command.

According to the Official United States Air Force, the tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations hotline. The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

A Cast

The tale of the Elves also reveals a complex affair. A supernatural creature of believed to be of Norse origin, the word Elf itself is Germanic. They are capricious in nature and highly unpredictable. Their evolution and progress is somewhat disputed but, of course, they are the ones to please if we wish to be looked upon favourably by Father Christmas. It is said that they are his emissaries, sent down from the north pole from the first day of the twelfth month to see if children have been naughty or nice.

A Tree

The Christmas tree is rumoured to have been brought south to Germany by Martin Luther upon his return from Latvia. A huge tree in Riga’s market square is first mentioned in 1510. Some even hung them upside down from the ceiling. Having become part of seasonal celebrations, it was Queen Victoria’s spouse Albert who, in 1848, began to make the tradition popular in the British Isles. This then became well known in the US, triggering the tradition to spread more widely across the country.

A Taste

And whist we are on this expansive topic, what about the Christmas meal? The Spanish brought the turkey back home from central America. These were introduced to the UK through trade or directly by British merchants in the early 1500’s. Settlers then took some of these poultry with them to North America during the seventeenth century.

Plum or Christmas pudding is even older. In medieval England, the ingredients are rumoured to have represented Jesus and his 12 apostles. Mince pies were originally made containing with meat as well as fruits and spices. It is believed they originate from the Middle East and appeared in England in the middle ages. Perhaps brought back by returning crusaders? Finally, eggnog. Enjoyed in British aristocratic circles during winter, this deliciously sweet staple of American celebrations seems to have arrived there in the 1700s.

A Flame

So what about the lights? When Germans started to take trees indoors, they attached candles to branches to represent the light of Jesus. With the invention of electricity, this dangerous pastime could be replaced. The first electrically illuminated tree is reputed to have been in New York during Christmas of 1882.

As technology progressed, lights could be found in many homes, both on the trees and off. Today, it is the most natural experience in the world to string lights at home or wander amongst extensive municipal displays in cities on all four continents. My parents had a string of lights which I inherited. They include a pretty parrot, Santa’s head, a snowman, lantern and several other assorted symbolic bulbs. Unfortunately they glow no more, yet these beautiful glass motifs still shine magnificently without power.

A Saviour

Finally, Germanic Pagans referred to the time of year from December 21 to January 1 as Yule. It was a celebration of the winter solstice. Hence the term Yuletide is still used to this day. However, perhaps it is noticeable that this story has yet to remind us of the true reason why we make all the fuss.

In Spain especially and in other Spanish speaking regions, the festive period is extended to include Epiphany. January 5 sees a massive celebration with large processions and joyous children rejoicing the coming of the Three Kings. Nativity scenes with Mary, Joseph, animals and a manger can also be seen everywhere at Christmastime.

The birth of Jesus Christ is a wondrous tale, told countless times, repeated in services, sung in carols and revered across the globe. How fascinating is it then, that Christians are not the only ones to celebrate. Now that truly is the power of love and of joy.

A Wish

Expats from around the world embrace their new hosts, surroundings and experiences with awe, wonder and curiosity. They may show surprise or act and react differently. We are all on a unique journey.

This is the time of year to light a single candle or perform daily and weekly spiritual rituals. We hang colourful Christmas lights and decorations, play games and enjoy lunch or dinner. We may watch a classic movie together or be alone in a foreign country.

Wherever you find yourself this year, whatever tradition you follow, celebrating on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, may this season bring good tidings to all.

It remains to say thank you to my clients, partners, sympathisers, readers, friends, family and loved ones all over the world. It is such a pleasure to serve.

Wishing you Merry Christmas, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Wesołych Świąt Veselé Vánoce, 圣诞快乐, Hyvää Joulua, Et Al,

In joy, Garry

Empowering companies, cities and expats with knowledge since 2007.

A Reference

As always, online research leads us along many avenues, a few of which proved fruitful to creating my story. These I gladly share:

Clement Clarke Moore’s poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/a-visit-from-st-nicholas.

Wonderful comments upon Snoopy’s attempted stories: https://ronaldbrichardson.com/metafiction/the-worlds-shortest-novel-snoopys-it-was-a-dark-and-stormy-night.

Rudolf book and song: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/snapshot/rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer.

Santa Claus pictorials: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/a-pictorial-history-of-santa-claus.

Christmas trees: https://time.com/5736523/history-of-christmas-trees.

Coca Cola: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/history/haddon-sundblom-and-the-coca-cola-santas.

Santa Claus history: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-father-christmas.

Santa Tracker: https://www.noradsanta.org/en

https://amazingcapitals.com/expats/expat-blog/christmas-story-2023

Rejoicing DifferencesBorn into a white family in England, The MD of this company spent a very happy childhood in Hampshi...
01/12/2023

Rejoicing Differences

Born into a white family in England, The MD of this company spent a very happy childhood in Hampshire, Moray (Scotland), Somerset, Cornwall and Norfolk. The British Isles are highly diverse and so were the environments I lived in. Yet, in one respect they were not.

Racism

The first people I met who possessed foreign roots and were of a different colour were a group of teenagers with Pakistani heritage who were on vacation from London. I was seventeen. Sadly they encountered verbal and physical abuse from some unpleasant locals. After my friends and I rescued them from their ordeal, they stated it was normal for them. I felt disgusted and shamed.

When I moved to London, I encountered much diversity and the first individuals from Africa, Asia, South East Asia, The Middle East, North America, South America and Europe. What a melting pot!

Two guys who worked on my team looked incredibly alike to my eyes. Sadly, they despised each other so much that they caused friction in the workplace.

Confronting them one day at the peak of another argument, I enquired why they disrespected each other so much. Since they were not forthcoming, I told them to stop work and accompany me to another room. Under protest, they did and they listened.

I explained their options. We could all three debate the issues they had or they could discuss their differences amongst themselves. The third choice was that they will both be fired. There was no option four. To my delight, they chose to speak but just the two of them. I told them to only come out when they had found a solution, promised never to ask anything, left my office and closed the door.

They earned my highest respect. Not only were they cordial with each other, they became friends. It transpired that one family had come to Britain from East Africa, while the other had emigrated to the UK from the Caribbean. The clashes had arisen from long-standing cultural controversy. Interestingly, there was never any black on white or white on black prejudice in our company. To be perfectly clear, the aforementioned individuals were all British. It was pure racism.

Xenophobia

Whilst racism lies at the heart of much discrimination, xenophobia can surface more subtly and with less obvious underlying provocation. The mere fact that someone is a foreigner can be seen as a threat. When societies or individuals are fear-driven, friction can be rife.

The world has always experienced the movement of people. Latest theories reveal that it seems Homo sapiens heading north eradicated local indigenous tribes including the Homo neanderthalensis through carrying disease more than through aggression.

Human beings have sailed the seas across the eons of time. Untold numbers have migrated and emigrated. We still do. Sadly, so many are forced to flee through conflict or oppression. Others choose to do leave their place of birth to seek a better life. That leads many to cross a border.

Since an abundance of people have become immigrants before us and their offspring have benefitted societies, the phenomenon of xenophobia is surprising. Are we so focussed on the negative effects that we fail to see the positives?

Respect

I once attended a talk by the Italian Ambassador to Germany. He claimed the Germans love the Italians but don’t respect them. He went on to state that the Italians respect the Germans but don’t love them. The fact that we all possess various traits is surely a gift. We cannot, for instance, move to Spain and expect Germanic efficiency. The reverse is true with Germany lacking a certain no pasa nada. I write with without judgment.

When I walked around the streets of Düsseldorf in my early years, I blended in. I still do. Apart from a period of speaking German with no accent, when I open my mouth, it became obvious that I am a foreigner. Many people tend to classify the extent of foreignness and so I was lucky to rate A+. Furthermore, I can truly say I have always felt welcome in Germany and in more than sixty other countries I have travelled. I’m one of the lucky ones.

Many nationalities are not so blessed, which makes it especially difficult for companies that wish to hire from abroad. If expat employees or their partners and families cannot develop a sense of belonging and are unable to feel at home in their new society, they are more likely to leave. Now that is a topic that concerns us all. International talent helps drive business success as well as the local economy. One foreigner and one job at a time.

My Grandmother lived to the wonderful age of 102. Her husband died in a prisoner of war camp in Burma, today's Myanmar. I never once heard a single word against the Japanese. Luckily, a bomb that landed at the end of her back garden did not explode. Once again, she showed no ill will towards Germans. Far from it. She spent several happy vacations in the country.

Whilst the powers of the world create strife, humans across the globe can be treated one on one with respect. With political correctness constantly in flux, my choice of words comes from a generous space. I am eternally grateful for growing up amongst a family of open minds and warm hearts. Staying curious is a gift whilst respect is a trait we can choose consciously. Should we really have to look and sound alike or behave the same as each other? Choose wisely. 🙏

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rejoicing-differences-amazingcapitals-ro7gf

In a world rife with discrimination and xenophobia, living life as an expat is a unique experience. Born in England, I c...
28/11/2023

In a world rife with discrimination and xenophobia, living life as an expat is a unique experience. Born in England, I crossed a border to Scotland at the age of ten months. Returning three years later, many years passed living in various parts of the country. I was English. When asked to go to Germany, my passport informed me that I had become British.

When asked where I was from, I frequently stated the UK. I was also a citizen of the EU. Today's common word for a foreigner did not occur to me until many years later. This Englishman was British, from the UK and a European to then also be labelled an expat. I had joined a curious collection of non natives with no local knowledge and often no national language.

Human beings have travelled the globe for untold millennia. Indigenous folk have fought amongst themselves, been fought by others, overrun or displaced. Newcomers have been treated as outcasts, even when they merely moved to the next village.

Are these some of the reasons that today's "modern" societies are still sceptical about the arrival of foreigners? A phenomenon that is increasingly hard to avoid is the necessity to attract talent from abroad. These individuals, partners and families may be foreigners but they are defined more generously as expatriates.

Taking a glance at what the professional field of knowledge has to say about the modern day movement of people reveals the following:

Expatriate

Merriam Webster: The Americans still give a somewhat extreme definition of expatriate. Verb: To leave one's native country to live elsewhere. To renounce allegiance to one's native country (from 1768). The noun is more subtle: A person who lives in a foreign country (from 1818). Expat: A person forced to emigrate for political reasons. According to them, the first known use of the term expat was in 1962.

Collins expresses more gently: An expatriate is someone who is living in a country which is not their own.

Urban Dictionary: Expatriate: A citizen of one country living in another. Expat: A person taking up residency in another country.

Cambridge University Press is yet more simple: Noun: Someone who does not live in their own country. Expat is considered informal.

Oxford University Press offers another angle. Nouns: A person who lives outside their native country. An exile. Expat is considered informal. Adjective: short for expatriate.

And the German Duden? Expat: someone who works (on behalf of their company) abroad for a prolonged period of time. Looking up the generic German equivalent (internationale Fach- und Führungskräfte) reveals no results.

Immigrant

Merriam Webster: A person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence; Collins: An immigrant is a person who has come to live in a country from some other country; Urban Dictionary: An immigrant is any person who lives in a country other than their country of birth; Cambridge University Press: A person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently; Oxford University Press: A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.

Migrant

Merriam Webster: A person who moves regularly in order to find work especially in harvesting crops; Collins: A migrant is a person who moves from one place to another, especially in order to find work; Cambridge University Press: A person that travels to a different country or place, often in order to find work; Oxford University Press: A person who moves from one place to another, especially in order to find work or better living conditions.

Refugee

Merriam Webster: A person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution; Collins: Refugees are people who have been forced to leave their homes or their country, either because there is a war there or because of their political or religious beliefs; Cambridge University Press: A person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons or because of a war; Oxford University Press: A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Personal Experience

Many years ago, I was asked by my British employers to solve complex issues in Germany. I went to a city I had never even thought about, in a country that was not high on my list of places to see. Let alone contemplate living in. After several months of having had terrific experiences, I returned home. End of story, I thought.

However, a year later a new chapter opened. I was requested to go again and eventually to commit to staying. I therefore began to engage more intensely with German society. My life was not in danger in anyway. I was neither poor, nor did I have to leave my country of birth for political reasons. It was therefore, by definition, my first experience as an expat.

Did I take someone else’s potential job? Certainly. Since I was expert at what I did, I was invited to stay abroad. Developing my career, I took away several positions over time. However since the company thrived, other openings were created. Did my move cause a vacancy in the UK? Of course. Was that taken by a German national? No. Could this be an imbalance or source of friction? Possibly.

Owning my own business in the years to come, I created other jobs in Germany. Does that factor in any equation? Not really. The point is, the labour force is in flux. I firmly believe that is a fine situation, offering opportunity to individuals and their employers on a global scale.

Beneficial Synchronicity

Do these individuals take jobs from nationals? Of course they do, technically speaking. But if no-one else is available they also secure vacant positions that otherwise could not be filled. The phenomenon of movement of people is independent of necessity of staff. Yet one could, and often does, benefit from the other.

If we were to examine our rejection of foreigners more fully we might accept the desire to improve their wellbeing more freely. Such a shift in viewpoint is a valid one, enabling us to be more welcoming to each and every expat. Economists agree that this would raise productivity and add to both local and national economies. Whether in Finland, Germany or other countries, a reluctance to employ people with a foreign mother tongue may be understandable but is short sighted. Most are intelligent or determined enough to adapt and learn. The company benefits more than the individual.

Respect

The use of strong words to define international movement across borders is manipulative. Is there a desire to instil fear amongst the public and pursue certain agendas? Today, the words expat, expatriate, immigrant, migrant and refugee are far more interchangeable. Whilst refugees possess a more unfortunate reason for relocating, many possess qualifications. Many more are willing to work. Regulations and xenophobic attitudes often prevent able and willing individuals from benefitting society to the full and create friction amongst the local populace.

Dissecting words, we discover more truths and insights, such as un-fortunate. My personal good fortune led me on my life’s path. I am an expat. Yet I too could be defined as an economic migrant. Unfortunately, this label causes much friction, ill-will and even anger in societies everywhere. I was welcomed with open arms and I felt accepted. I was even referred to not as a foreigner but as "one of us". Despite the facts.

Change

My simple, unifying expat definition: Of foreign origin and often with no local language skills but skilled or talented. A more widespread approach and holistic strategy is required in most locations across the globe. Surprisingly, little is undertaken to secure and promote this highly desirable group of people.

My mission is to change that and has become my business. Amazing Capitals creates expat ecosystems in locations to improve the circumstances of all stakeholders. Join the movement. Amazing Capitals Expat Ecosystems.

https://amazingcapitals.com/expats/expat-employee/expat-definition

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Our Story

Helping cities and businesses to attract and retain international talent, Amazing Capitals are powerful online resources, location guides for expats. Packed with must have information and insights to inspire and help international residents lead better lives in their new home.

Locations to date are Valencia in Spain; Ruhr, Neuss, Dusseldorf in Germany; Cracow in Poland; Prague in Czech Republic; Beijing in China. Offering opportunities for licensees. Published by a Brit who has lived lengthy and shorter periods in UK, Germany, Spain, France, Finland and travelled some 60 countries.

One day I was asked to relocate to Germany. I needed to take care of formalities, create a new home, find great places to go out, meet others, make new friends and take care of my own wellbeing. Yet I knew nothing, had no language skills and no local cultural awareness.

Some years later, British Consulate staff attending my business club in Düsseldorf asked if I could assist them with their many enquiries. So in 2007, the concept to support expats, cities and businesses cities with Amazing Capitals online resources was born.