Tag: culture shock

expatriation, Me, My 2 cents worth, vietnam

“When tired

learn to rest, not to quit”. All expats have been there. The first three months in a new country are exhilarating. Everything is new, exciting, it is so easy to make friends and for luckiest of us, the food is delicious here. We are super busy: new house to find, new school, new habits, new schedules .. Then it’s usually after 3 months that the … Continue reading “When tired

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Culture shock, Inspiring Monday

Inspiring Monday: if I had to define the Filipino attitude

This picture sums it all: This taxi driver has two daughters and like most of his colleagues often struggles to make ends meet. There is no such thing as maximum hours of work a day in the Philippines. You have to work, so you work. Trade union doesn’t mean anything. Sometimes the driver is so tired that he can fall asleep at a red light. … Continue reading Inspiring Monday: if I had to define the Filipino attitude

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My 2 cents worth, Philippines

My problem with the Filipino teaching

My kids are Jewish by their Mum and Protestant by their Dad. Mr Attila was born in a Buddhist country and his sister in a totally secular one. We worked in Muslim and Hindu places and we are currently living on a Catholic island. How could we possibly educate our children in a single religion? if there is one thing I learnt from all those years working in … Continue reading My problem with the Filipino teaching

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expatriation, Me, photo101

Reverse Culture shock: what Paris’ edges are telling me

Our family has been living in South East Asia for almost 7 years, and each time we travel back to France, I realize how our environment has been shaping my spirits: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia have a round kind of alphabet, nothing sharp like our A, V, Z or W. There is something smooth in the sweet fragrances of the incense sticks in the streets, the welcoming smiles … Continue reading Reverse Culture shock: what Paris’ edges are telling me

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Culture shock, Family, photo101

Photo101: treasures and close up

Close up on my treasures, Mr and Ms Attila: When you travel to Asia with toddlers, you feel like you are escorting rock stars: anywhere you go, your kids are greeted with “ohhh!!! so cute!!!” “ohhhh, hello handsome, how old are you?”. “ohhh, beautiful long lashes, ohhh skin so white!” All camera flashes on them, every teenager wants their selfie with them. My daughter does not care much … Continue reading Photo101: treasures and close up

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Cebu, Expat, expatriation, Family

5 ways growing up in the Philippines is ruining my children’s lives

Early January: The compulsory ritual of the screening of the passing year, what we did well and what we could do better. Expatriating your family is a selfish choice: You are dragging your kids in countries they have not chosen, they must make new friends, learn new ways of life. After almost a year in Cebu, I am wondering: Is Philippines a Wise choice for my … Continue reading 5 ways growing up in the Philippines is ruining my children’s lives

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