Sunday, March 31, 2013

Assignment in Andorra

Today I would like to discuss Andorra la Vella in Andorra. If you were to be sent to Andorra la Vella on an expatriate assignment or if you were to relocate there, you are likely to experience:

  • Weather that is temperate with snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers;
  • You will meet people who speak Catalan, Spanish, and French;
  • You will find the cost of clothing yourself is high compared to other places;
  • The cost of food and beverages is average compared to other places;
  • The cost of housing yourself  is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of transporting yourself is average compared to other places;
  • Andorra la Vella is the capital of the Co-principality of Andorra, and is located high in the east Pyrenees between France and Spain. It is also the name of the parish that surrounds the capital;
  • The principal industry is tourism;
  • Furniture and brandies are local products;
  • From a day to day comfort perspective, you are likely to experience very little hardship;
  • Make sure you negotiate an appropriate salary or allowance.

If you live in Andorra la Vella or if you lived there recently, let us know what your experience has been. Would you live in Andorra la Vella again?

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Assignment in Algiers

Today I would like to discuss Algiers in Algeria. If you were to be sent to Algiers on an expatriate assignment or if you were to relocate there, you are likely to experience:

  • Weather that is Arid to semiarid with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers along coast. It is drier with cold winters and hot summers on the high plateau and the sirocco which is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer;
  • You will meet people who speak Arabic, French, and Berber;
  • You will find the cost of clothing yourself is average in cost compared to other places;
  • The cost of food and beverages is very low compared to other places;
  • The cost of housing yourself  is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of transporting yourself is very low compared to other places;
  • Algiers is the capital and largest city of Algeria, and the second largest city in the Maghreb (after Casablanca);
  • Algiers is an important economic, commercial and financial centre, with in particular a stock exchange with a capitalisation of 60 billion euros;
  • The port of Algiers is the most important of North Africa;
  • From a day to day comfort perspective, you are likely to experience extreme hardship;
  • Make sure you negotiate an appropriate salary or allowance.

If you live in Algiers or if you lived there recently, let us know what your experience has been. Would you live in Algiers again?

Friday, March 29, 2013

Assignment in Tirana

Today I would like to discuss Tirana in Albania.

If you were to be sent to Tirana on an expatriate assignment or if you were to relocate there, you are likely to experience:

  • Weather that is Mild temperate; cool, cloudy, with wet winters and hot, clear, dry summers. The interior is cooler and wetter;
  • You will meet people who speak Albanian;
  • You will find the cost of clothing yourself is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of food and beverages is very low compared to other places;
  • The cost of housing yourself  is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of transporting yourself is low compared to other places;
  • Tirana is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania;
  • Tirana is Albania's major industrial centre. It has experienced rapid growth and established many new industries since the 1920s. The principal industries include agricultural products and machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal products;
  • From a day to day comfort perspective, you are likely to experience extreme hardship.
  • Make sure you negotiate an appropriate salary or allowance.

If you live in Tirana or if you lived there recently, let us know what your experience has been. Would you live in Tirana again?

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Assignment in Kabul

Today I would like to discuss Kabul in Afghanistan. If you were to be sent to Kabul on an expatriate assignment or if you were to relocate there:

  • You are likely to experience weather that is arid to semiarid with cold winters and hot summers;
  • You will meet people who speak Pashto and Dari (Persian);
  • You will find the cost of clothing yourself is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of food and beverages is low compared to other places;
  • The cost of housing yourself  is very low compared to other places;
  • The cost of transporting yourself is low compared to other places;
  • Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, and is located in the province of Greater Kabul. It is an economic and cultural centre;
  • Kabul's products include: natural gas, cotton, wool, carpets, agriculture, and some small production companies;
  • From a day to day comfort perspective, you are likely to experience extreme hardship;
  • Make sure you negotiate an appropriate salary or allowance.

If you live in Kabul or if you lived there recently, let us know what your experience has been. Would you live in Kabul again?