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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
