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Alyssa Writes

Alyssa Writes

Alyssa Writes

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Life Abroad

Moving to the UK, Travel Tips & Advice

Reader Question # 5: How do I Deal With Taxes in Canada While On a UK Youth Mobility Visa?

16 March, 2015

Tax season is around the corner and that means I’ve been getting frantic emails from readers about paying taxes in the UK and whether they have to file a tax return in Canada while living abroad. It turns out this stuff really isn’t as complicated as I thought! The short answer is yes, in most cases…

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Alyssa 14 Comments
Promenade en cours, ecole Martinique, school in Martinique
Life Abroad, Martinique, Travel Tips & Advice

Surviving Your First Lessons as a Teaching Assistant in France

23 September, 2014

It’s that time of year again – British Council, Comenius and TAPIF assistants from English-speaking countries around the world are preparing to enter classrooms full of French kids to help them improve their English. If there’s one thing I learned in my 2 years as an English assistant in France, it’s that being able to…

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Alyssa 5 Comments
Moving to the UK, Travel Tips & Advice

Reader Question # 4: How to Bring Money Over to the UK?

2 September, 2014

How have people brought their money over to the UK? I’m trying not to bring large sums in cash. Do people write a cheque to themselves and deposit it when they arrive and start a bank account? – Johnny Dear Johnny, This is a great question! There are a few options to transferring your money…

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Alyssa 7 Comments
commuters in London, how long to find a job in London
London, Moving to the UK, Travel Tips & Advice

Reader Question # 3: How long will it take me to find a job in #London?

14 July, 2014

  Hi Alyssa! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed message. I didn’t expect it but greatly appreciate it. I do realize London is very expensive, even by Vancouver standards. I have been and stayed there a couple times before. Even the hostels were pricey. How long do you think it…

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Alyssa 14 Comments
Moving to the UK, Travel Tips & Advice

Reader Question # 2: Is a British CV different from a North American resume?

23 June, 2014

Hi Alyssa! Me, my sister and our friend have just, in the last couple of weeks, finally decided to change our lives and move to the U.K., and have booked our flights for September. We have no real future plans, but are getting super bored here in the city (Vancouver) and are basically just going…

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Alyssa 5 Comments
The Phoenix, East Finchley London, Working in London
Moving to the UK, Travel Tips & Advice

Reader Question # 1: Move to the UK first, or find a job first?

15 June, 2014

Hey Alyssa! So I work a regular 9-5 corporate job here in Toronto but anxious to travel and enjoy life. So I have been thinking about taking my skill and going abroad. I know you’ve been doing that and so I was wondering if you first decided to move and then find a job… or…

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Alyssa 62 Comments
Electric Cinema, London
Life Abroad, London

9 Films You’ll Appreciate More after Living in London

22 May, 2014

If there’s one British word I have yet to start saying, it’s ‘cinema’. Cinema, to me, requires erudite discussions of motifs, archetypes and referring to films by their directors rather than the most famous actor in it. It’s the difference between “Let’s go see that new Cameron Diaz movie!” and “What did you think of…

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Alyssa 11 Comments
Life Abroad, Musings, Travel Tips & Advice

How to Cope with Homesickness and Other Expat Difficulties

1 May, 2014

This is my third year and second country living abroad and it hasn’t gotten any easier. And in all fairness, I’ve had it easier than most when moving abroad. In Martinique, I had a job already set up and a community of other assistants to socialize with. When I arrived in London, I had a…

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Alyssa 9 Comments
Ally Pally Market
Life Abroad, London, Musings

I Love North London

14 February, 2014

  Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m sure you’re sick of seeing all of your friends lovey-dovey Facebook statuses and Instagram photos of the dozen roses they got with an antique filter on it…so I’m going to change it up a bit. Do something a little unconventional, I’ll tell you about the place I love. Every time…

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Alyssa 15 Comments
Golders Hill, London, moving abroad for love
Life Abroad, Musings

Where Have You Been?!

25 November, 2013

Over the last few weeks, I’ve pretty much disappeared off the face of the blogosphere. For little old me, it’s the equivalent of a twig falling in Canada’s boreal forest, but just in case anyone cares enough to wonder why – here’s what’s been going on with me this fine November. I’ve been somewhat down…

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Alyssa 9 Comments
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Who am I?

alyssa james, freelance writer, content marketer, alyssa writes

I’m Alyssa — PhD Student and Freelance Writer based in New York City! I write about Travel and Social Justice. Words in MSN, Bustle, the Globe and Mail, Porthole Cruise Magazine, The Local, Matador Network, and more.

About | Hire Me

Where Am I Writing?

Where I Was:

Aix-en-Provence | Thailand | Bali

Where I Am:

New York

Where I Will Be:

Colombia | Martinique | Japan

What Am I Reading?

Click on the book to get a £3/$5 credit on your first Kobo book purchase!

Need to Send Money Abroad?

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