Expat Focus: For anyone moving or living abroad

You might be feeling a bit paralysed by the news at the moment as the Coronavirus pandemic worsens across the world, and governments update their guidance every day. But amid the chaos, are people trying to do some good.

Volunteers in many countries are sewing masks for local hospital staff facing shortages. GoFundMe pages have been set up so we can buy coffees for people doing essential work. A new website in Australia is highlighting small businesses doing it tough that are still able to open.

And in Switzerland, an expat entrepreneur is hoping to connect communities through his new app. Slovakian Stefan Kuruc is our guest in this episode to talk about how Help'n'Trade can be used by individuals and families, to get the support they need.

Today we're exploring the foreigner's experience of working in Asia, with a man who has written a book on the subject; Steve McGinnes.

Originally from England, Steve has lived and worked across the Asian continent for fifteen years, and his book combines practical advice with first-hand stories and experiences of professionals, covering topics including power, relationships, family and corruption. So whether you're already working in Asia, looking to make the move, or just curious about some of the key cultural differences between Asian work environments and the West… I hope you enjoy this interview.

The Coronavirus pandemic is forcing cities across the world into lockdown, and in Italy, American business owners Linda and Steve have had to close their Rome hostel, The Beehive, for the first time in 21 years.

In this episode, the couple share what the past few weeks have been like as the impact of COVID-19 set in, what support Italy is providing to business owners like themselves, and how they're hoping to survive this very tough time.

Mario Cacciottolo's move from the UK to Malta was very much a homecoming. He spent the first 12 years of his life in the country, and its booming economy, 300 days of sunshine a year and a desire to close some local 'knowledge gaps' were big motivators for him to return.

In this chat, he's going to shed some light on what it's like to live on this small island in the Mediterranean. You'll find out where you can expect to land a job as a foreigner, where you should look for your first apartment, the best ways to get around, and, find out if you should bother learning Maltese in a country where English is an official language too. Mario also shares his thoughts on getting to know the locals, and explains why for him and his wife, every Friday is the start of a holiday.

A fellow podcaster is our guest on this episode, to give you the lowdown on what it takes to set up and run your business from anywhere in the world. Sundae Bean is an American by birth and the host of the 'Expat Happy Hour' podcast.

Sundae is an intercultural strategist who left her corporate job in Switzerland to set up her own coaching business, working from Burkina Faso in West Africa and later, from South Africa.

In this chat, Sundae's going to talk through:

• how she identified her 'calling' and her clients

• the admin that comes with working for yourself and being location independent

• time management and motivation as a solopreneur

• how she juggles clients all over the world while also carving out time for herself

• money, and earnings - what's realistic when you're starting out on your own

Sundae also stresses the importance of investing in yourself, and 'doing the work' to reach your goals.

Caitlin Taylor is a style coach, fashion blogger and podcaster who describes her expat life in New Zealand as "same-same but different." In this chat, you'll find out about the Kiwi fashion scene; how Caitlin's business has evolved over a decade; and how she found her business 'tribe' in her new home.

It's a major "achievement unlocked" as an expat when you start to understand how the locals tick - and how long that takes is different for everyone. American, Chelsea, lives with her Norwegian husband in the town of Henningsvær in Norway. They've been together for five years and in that time, she's learnt a thing or two about the Norwegian approach to life - ten things in fact that she's going to share in this episode.

It's all happening in the UK at the moment; at the time of recording this the general election is just one week away, and the outcome could determine when, how and if Brexit will end up happening.

The UK's exit from the European Union and the tax and social security implications have been top of mind for British expats for a long time now. We're checking in on these issues with tax advisor Oliver Heslop on today's show, he's also going to explain why it could be well worth Brits abroad - and anyone who has worked in the UK - investigating their pension entitlements.

Has a beachfront holiday home in Mexico taken your fancy? Maybe you've spotted a place with a great rental return in Malta. Or perhaps you have your sights set on a house to retire to, in Panama. If you've never invested in property abroad before, it's hard to know where to begin. So today's guest is going to give you some pointers, talking through the current hotspots and the things that can trip up people who are new to the international investment scene.

Lief Simon is the founding editor of Global Property Advisor. Over 20 years, he has bought more than 45 properties and invested in 26 different countries around the world.

The logistics involved in expat life become even more complex when your partner is also a working expat. How do you successfully fuel each other's professional ambitions, as well as personal? Is it inevitable that one half will need to sacrifice their career, or take a backseat in the relationship to support the other?

INSEAD Associate Professor Jennifer Petriglieri has researched hundreds of couples juggling two careers. She's just released a book about the challenges that face working couples, and in this chat, Jennifer shares her thoughts on how you can successfully combine love and work, with life abroad.