Expat Women

Global Giving's "Give More - Get More Challenge"

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, It's our pleasure to give a shout-out again this year to Global Giving - a wonderful site making it relatively easy for needy projects to promote themselves to donors, and for donations (large and small) to reach needy projects around the world.

Right now, Global Giving have a "Give More - Get More Challenge" that runs through December 1. Donate to your favorite projects - the more they raise, the more matching funds they can earn. Projects that raise the most money, or get the most donations, can win bonus funding as well.

"GlobalGiving is changing the way people give, offering donors a transparent, high-impact giving experience. You choose where you want your money to go, and we get it there, quickly and efficiently. Locally-run projects with creative ideas that would never be funded through traditional structures also have access to new sources of funds. And finally, we make sure donors get feedback about how their contributions have been put to work and the results achieved - with satisfaction guaranteed through the GlobalGiving Guarantee."

And if you find it all a little overwhelming, Paula Lucas (a previous success story interviewee on our main Expat Women site) would gladly welcome any donation you could make to the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center via the Global Giving program.

Thanks and have a wonderful day/evening! Andrea

Expat Women November Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, If you are a member of our main site, ExpatWomen.com, and you did not receive our newsletter for November 2009 this week, please let us know here. If you have not signed up to Expat Women yet, please do so now. Your support really does make a difference when we are trying to raise money from sponsors and advertisers to keep Expat Women growing strong.

November Newsletter

In addition to our home page features, our newsletter includes:

The name of our Explorer Publishing mini-guide pack winner;
Our winning story Round and Round It Goes...Which Country Nobody Knows, from Liz - an American in Spain; as well as
The names of our two lucky winners in Malaysia who signed up at the KL expo last month.

Article Contributions

If you would like to contribute an article for potential inclusion on our site and/or in our newsletter, please send us your new, original, 1000-word, quality article for us to review, anytime.

Story Submissions

Our Read The Stories section of ExpatWomen.com is one of the most-read sections of our site, but we are always in need of more quality stories from wonderful women like you. Please consider helping us by submitting a story. Story guidelines are available here.

Thank You

Thank you very, very much Everyone! Andrea

Goodhealth Worldwide is now Aetna Global Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, You may have noticed a new name on our site today: Aetna Global Benefits. This is in fact our loyal Gold Sponsor, Goodhealth Worldwide, but with a new name. Aetna Global Benefits took over Goodhealth Worldwide a little while ago and the rebranding has just taken place.

"Aetna Global Benefits (AGB) is a specialist provider of international health insurance for expatriates. We offer a full range of worldwide health insurance plans and whether you are looking for individual, family, group or company cover, we have an international medical insurance plan to suit your requirements. Aetna Global Benefits makes sure you have access to the finest medical facilities worldwide, enabling you to obtain the best possible treatment whenever and wherever you need it.

As experienced specialists in international health insurance, we understand that, living abroad, expatriates require comprehensive worldwide medical insurance. Our international travel medical insurance plans ensure you are not faced with large medical bills, and provide a valuable range of additional international healthcare services."

The good news is that Aetna Global Benefits is still proudly supporting Expat Women! So in return, if you need international health insurance, please consider supporting Aetna by making an enquiry and/or receiving a personal quote today.

Thank you muchly, Andrea.

Can You Help? Passport Career Is Still Looking For Short-Term Researchers

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, It's been a couple of months since we last updated you on PassportCareer's search for short-term researchers. If you can help in any of the following locations, please do so...

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Comoros Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Honduras, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Montenegro, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa (Cape Town), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.

Or, if you are in the United States, they are looking for researchers in the following (old and new) locations:

Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore, MD; Buffalo, NY; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Detroit, MI; Fairfield, Stamford, Norwalk, CT; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; Tulsa & Oklahoma City, OK; Orlando, FL; Palo Alto, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Richmond, VA; Rochester, NY; Salt Lake City, UT; San Antonio, TX; San Jose, CA; St. Louis, MO; and Wilmington, DE.

If you think you might be able to help by completing a short-term research project for one of the locations above, please read this previous blog post (important), then please urgently email Passport Career's founder Susan Musich

Please feel free to pass this around to any other contacts that you have who might (also) be able to help. Many thanks... and good luck!

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Cities 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Hello once more, If you're looking for holiday destinations next year, take a look at Lonely Planet's list of their Top 10 Cities for 2010.

If you are too busy, you can scan the summary here, but the Lonely Planet list shows beautiful images and explanations that are much more enticing the humble list below...

Cuenca, Ecuador;
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;
Kyoto, Japan;
Lecce, Italy;
Cork, Ireland;
Singapore;
Vancouver, Canada;
Istanbul, Turkey; and
Charleston, United States of America.

Happy vacation planning! Andrea

Hola Mexico Film Festival: Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Hello Everyone, A quick mention of the Hola Mexican Film Festival this year in Australia, which is supporting Misión México - which is the orphanage in Mexico that one of our previous Success Story women, Pamela Skuse, so selflessly runs with her husband, Alan.

Opening night in Australia is Wednesday 18 November in Sydney at Dendy Opera Quays. To find out the tour dates for other Australian cities and to see the program, please click here.

How To Be A Global Grandparent

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0000

Hello again, Many months ago I was sent a review copy of the new book How To Be A Global Grandparent: Living With The Separation, by Anne Huscroft and Peter Gosling.

Finally, I had a chance to read through this book last week and I would like to recommend it to any new grandparents out there who have not been expats themselves and who are simultaneously trying to understand both the world of grandparenting and the expat world that their children now live in.

For grandparents new to emails and the internet, this book also walks readers through how to use each of these online technologies, in an effort to encourage grandparents to keep up communication from afar, in a way that fits into their children's busy lives.

Permits Foundation Looking For More Company Support From CEOs in India

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:12:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, Last week I finally had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen Van Der Wilk and her colleague Francoise van Roosmalen from the Permits Foundation.

Kathleen and Francoise are currently in need of more CEOs and local MDs in India to co-sign the executive summary they wish to present to the Indian authorities, with regards to the issue of employment visas for accompanying spouses, to demonstrate a wide basis of support among companies operating in India.

Do you know someone who could help? If yes, please urgently email Kathleen and Francoise. Many thanks.

Expatriate Research Survey: Looking For UK Repatriates

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:27:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, Claire Hardy (Doctoral Researcher at the University of Nottingham) is looking to contact UK employees and their spouses who have returned from an expat assignment of 12 months or more (even if they have subsequently left UK shores again).

If you can help, or know someone who can, here are the 20 minute online anonymous survey links:
Survey link for assignees
Survey link for accompanying spouses/partners

If you have any questions, please email Claire or contact her via LinkedIn. Thanks.

W.I.N. Mobilizing Women Event, Istanbul, Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, The wonderful women at W.I.N. (Women's International Networking) invite you to come, be inspired and join influential thinkers and experts from business, entrepreneurship and academia meeting in Istanbul to address the future of women and business.

The program features presentations by:

Prof. Dr. Sirin Tekinay, Vice Rector of Özyegin University
Kristin Engvig, CEO of W.I.N.
Selma Aliye Kavaf, Secretary of State for Women and Family Affairs

Plus a panel of exceptional women speaking on “The Role of Women in Global Economy and Competition”:

Moderator – Prof. Dr. Erhan Erkut, Rector of Özyegin University
Ümran Beba, President of South East Europe Region of PepsiCo
Ebru Çerezci, Winner of "Woman Entrepreneur of the Year" Award by Garanti Bank and Ekonomist
Arzu Kaprol, Fashion Designer
Gülseren Onanç, President of Woman Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey, KAGIDER

Date: Friday 11 December

Time: 13.00-17.30

Venue: Özyegin University, Auditorium 2, Kusbakisi Caddesi 2, Altunizade 34662, Istanbul, Turkey

Cost: Free, but registration essential.

More Information: Please email W.I.N. or call +41(0)21 6120354.

Chicago Residents: Job Opportunity at IOR Global Services

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:05:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, IOR Global Services is looking for a new Global Relocation Coordinator in the Greater Chicago Area.

"The Global Relocation Coordinator is responsible for serving IOR's client base by coordinating cultural training and destination services programs from authorization to completion, ensuring client satisfaction along the way. This client services professional interacts with destination services consultants, cultural and business consultants, cultural trainers, client human resource contacts, and IOR team members to deliver outstanding expatriate support programs. The individual provides excellent administrative support to all participants in IOR’s programs. This position reports directly to the Director of Client Services. (Local candidates only)"

"International experience living/working abroad and foreign language a plus."

If you are interested, go ahead and take a look at the skills required and good luck if you apply! Andrea

A Story About Never Giving Up

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, Whenever I talk to someone about not giving up, I tend to quote the Chicken Soup for the Soul guys (Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen) who I remember at a conference I attended once in the United States, (Mark) said that they had been rejected by 147 or 149 publishers, before finally they found a publisher to take a punt on their book idea. I always wonder how they kept up their stamina and I question if/when I would have given up.

Well, now I have a new story to share. Did you read about the lady in Korea today that finally passed her written driving test after 950 attempts?

I ask myself... is this story really true? How long is it going to take her to pass her physical driving test? And, dare I say it, is it safe for this woman to drive...?

Well, I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and believe her story. This woman, who apparently needs a driving licence for her vegetable-selling business, never, never, never gave up.

Think about your own life: are you making excuses or giving up before you should...?

Andrea

Global Mobility Jobs In The UK And Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, If you are looking for a job in the Global Mobility / HR Management / Relocations field, do not forget to check Re:locate Magazine's online job pages from time to time.

Right now, they have more than 200 jobs listed - mostly based in the UK, but with a sprinkle of overseas positions as well.

Re:locate Awards Open For Nominations

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:42:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, Re:locate Magazine had their snazzy launch party this week to officially launch the opening of nominations for their 2009/2010 Re:locate Awards.

The Seven Award Categories

Best Relocation Strategy/Policy;
Technological Innovation in Relocation;
Inspirational HR Team of the Year;
Relocation Service Provider or Team of the Year;
Best Property Provider or Solution;
Rising Star in Relocations; and/or
Relocation Personality of the Year.

If you think you could compete in one (or more) of these categories, go ahead and grab your entry form here. You can enter free of charge in up to two categories. Additional entries incur entry fees.

Entries close 15 February 2010.

Good luck!

Thanks To Some Wonderful People And Groups In The Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:17:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, I am back home again in Malaysia after a fabulous trip to the Netherlands and London and I want to give a thank you and shout-out to some of the wonderful people and groups that I met along the way....

Firstly, to the groups who invited me to speak, Expatica, European Professional Women's Network - Amsterdam (special thanks to Katharina Pohl) and Connecting Women - I say thank you for your hospitality and warm reception. Plus to IWC Amsterdam, for allowing me to get up at their meeting and introduce Expat Women.

Secondly, congratulations to Expatica for the success of their 'I Am Not A Tourist Fair' on Sunday 25 October, which attracted nearly 4,000 people!

Thirdly, to these friends for welcoming me:
Toma Haines, The Antiques Diva
Shirley Agudo, Shirley Agudo Photography
Jacqueline van Haaften and Leo, Global Connection
Antoine van Veldhuizen, Expatica
Carolyn van Es-Vines, Black and Abroad
Melody Biringer, The Crave Company (more to come on Melody, later)
Kathleen van der Wilk and Francoise van Roosmalen, Permits Foundation

Fourthly, to two of our site's Sponsors, who I met with in London:
Goodhealth Worldwide (soon to be rebranded as Aetna), who have Gold Sponsored us since our launch in January 2007. We are indebted to Goodhealth Worldwide, for believing in us from day one, so if you need health insurance, please do try Goodhealth Worldwide.
Exchange4Free, one of our Bronze Sponsors, who offer a fantastic service for anyone wanting to send money abroad.

Last but not least, my trip would not have been possible had it not been for the generosity of my host and good friend Jo Parfitt. Jo has been on the expat rollercoaster for many years and is probably most renowned for her book, A Career In Your Suitcase, now in its third edition. She has written 26 (!) books in total, her latest being her collection of poetry about life as an expat, A Moving Landscape. Her passion at the moment is running workshops on Writing Your Life Stories, but she provides writing, publishing and consulting services as well, so if you need someone to help make your writing dreams come true, please get in touch with Jo.

Thanks and best wishes for your day/evening, Andrea.

Breaking News: IE Business School Scholarships Offered To Expat Women Network

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, We are very excited to announce that the prestigious IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, is offering four half-scholarships to qualified women in our Expat Women network, in their upcoming Advanced Management Programs.

"IE Business School is an international institution dedicated to educating business leaders through programs based on our core values of global focus, an entrepreneurial spirit and a humanistic approach. Our 500-strong, international faculty teaches a student body composed of more than 80 nationalities on their Undergraduate (IE University), Master, and Doctorate degrees, and Executive Education programs. Our alumni, now numbering over 37,000, holds management positions in some 100 countries worldwide. IE promotes an investigative, multidisciplinary and integrated form of education, always oriented towards the market where students use innovating methodologies of combined learning, in-class and online."

The Financial Times ranked the IE Business School as fourth best in the world this year for “Executive Education – Open Programs”, following only behind the Harvard Business School, University of Virginia (Darden) and IMD, Switzerland.

The three (English-speaking) program options where half-scholarship applications are invited from qualified women in our Expat Women network are as follows:

1. Advanced Management Program (AMP) Blended
This program is aimed at high-potential directors in transition towards the top executive level and at entrepreneurs who are currently launching a new project. Work focus should be clearly international.

First In-Class Module: 15 – 22 February 2010
Intersession Online Module: 29 February – 8 May 2010
Second In-Class Module: 17 – 25 May 2010

2. Advanced Management Program (AMP) Intensive
This program is aimed at managers and entrepreneurs who are preparing themselves to make the transition to general management or broader responsibilities. They would bring to the program over 10 years of experience in management.

In-Class Module: 1 – 23 July 2010

3. Global Senior Management Program (GSMP)
This is a joint program with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The program is aimed at members of the Managing Committee and Administrative Councils, presidents, company owners, managing directors, vice presidents, negotiations directors, country managers and other senior managers, whose responsibilities are strategic affairs within their companies, whose focus is clearly international and who each would bring to the program over 15 years of experience in senior management.

First In-Class Module: 16 – 21 May 2010 (Chicago)
Intersession Online Module: 24 May – 19 June 2010
Second In-Class Module: 20 – 25 June 2010 (Madrid)

Full tuition fees for these programs range from €16,900 - €18,900. So, half-scholarships range in value from €8,450 to €9,450.

This is a fantastic opportunity for professional women in our Expat Women network and we encourage all qualified applicants (expatriate and non-expatriate women) to apply.

The deadline for Expat Women network scholarship applications is: 30 November 2009.

All enquiries and applications should be directed please to Yvonne Sanchez, Associate Director of Top Management Programs at IE Business School.

Warmest regards and good luck to applicants! Andrea

Expat Women November Home Page

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, We have just uploaded our Expat Women November home page and we invite you to take a look at our new features:

Success Story
Nathalie Brotchi
Net Expat
In 2000, Nathalie joined Net Expat as a partner. Today Nathalie manages a team of 300 HR consultants around the globe and ensures a smooth delivery of Net Expat services together with the Operations Team. She is also participating regularly at international conferences as an expert on Dual Career issues.
Read more…

Business Idea
RNG International Educational Consultants
Rebecca Grappo
Rebecca Grappo is a professional educator who has successfully combined her advocacy and teaching experience with her need to develop a portable career abroad. After living, working and teaching overseas, Rebecca started her business in 2006 in Oman...
Read more…

Writers & Publishers
The Wealthy Author
Debbie Jenkins
Debbie Jenkins is a British expat living in Spain, famous for publishing a book that made £30,000 in one day. Debbie talks to us about her newest book, which walks us through everything we need to know to become wealthy authors...
Read more…

Best iPod Applications?
Top 10 iPod Applications For Travelers And Expats
Sarah Novak
We all know that having the right tools is critical for success in any endeavor. Sarah shares with us how to leverage up-and-coming iPod technology to smooth out those rough points in your overseas adventures…
Read more…

Expat Confession
My Job Was A Mistake
Expat Women Girlfriend
I am a professional who is currently a trailing spouse. I finally found a job and had started doing something that I felt would be meaningful to me and beneficial for my career path. However, my job is not all that I had dreamed it would...
Read more…

Didn't Go Your Way?
How Do You Deal With Disappointment?
Margie Warrell
Life doesn't always go to plan. Sometimes things don't work out as we want. Sometimes people let us down. Sometimes our hopes, dreams and expectations crash to the ground with a thud...
Read more…

Not A Member Yet?
Just a reminder that our blog is separate from our main site, so if you are only subscribed to our blog, you will not automatically receive our ExpatWomen.com monthly newsletters.

To receive our newsletters and to go in the running to win our monthly prize of a complete set of Explorer Publishing's Mini-Guides, please sign up today to our main site, ExpatWomen.com.

Thank you very much and we wish you a sensational November! Andrea

10 Of The Best Social Media Tools For Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:06:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, We came across this good article today on Mashable that we wanted to share, that talked about 10 of the best social media tools for entrepreneurs.

In brief, their top ten were:

Google Apps for Domains
LinkedIn
Basecamp
Facebook
Twitter
Get Satisfaction
Mail Chimp
User Voice
You Tube
Monitter

If this interests you, enjoy the full article here. Best wishes.

Survey Participants Needed: Women With Life Lessons To Share

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:30:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, Stacie Berdan, a former expat and co-author of the award-winning book, Get Ahead By Going Abroad, and a former Success Story interviewee on our site, is working on another book about women and needs your help...

Stacie is currently conducting research designed to inform a book she is writing for women coming of age today. Stacie's objective is to collect information from women of all walks of life - professional leaders and stay-at-home mothers, single or married, kids or not, and women of all nationalities. She intends to use the information to showcase the various choices women have made - and the lessons they have learned - in the past two decades with the explicit intent of sharing it with the generation of women coming of age (18-30) in the form of colorful, insightful women's stories.

If you can help Stacie by completing her anonymous survey (which takes about 15-20 minutes, as I just completed it myself), please click here: Lessons From Wise Women.

In addition to the online survey, Stacie is also looking for women to share their stories in greater detail for the book; if you are interested, please email Stacie.

On behalf of Stacie, thanks for your support!

Finalists Announced: Stevie Awards - Women In Business

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, The finalists were announced recently for the 6th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners, and the organizations they run.

"More than 1,100 nominations were submitted this year for consideration in 54 categories by organizations in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

Among the leading contenders with multiple Finalists are The Bioengineering Group, Salem, Massachusetts; Eulogy! Public Relations, London, UK; PetRays Veterinary Telemedicine Consultants, The Woodlands, Texas; and Wipro Technologies, Bangalore, India and East Brunswick, New Jersey.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards. The Stevies are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards.

The final results of the 6th annual competition will be announced at an awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on Friday, November 13. Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased at www.stevieawards.com/women."

Click here to see the list of finalists. Get inspired. Maybe enter your own business next year!

Scholarships Available To The Families In Global Transition (FIGT) Conference 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:09:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, If you are a student or a self-sponsored non-profit representative, you are invited to apply for a full or partial David C. Pollock Scholarship to the upcoming 2010 Families in Global Transition (FIGT) Conference in Houston, Texas, March 4-10.

The deadline for applications is 15 December 2009. Please click here for more information. The FIGT conference is always a wonderful chance to learn and network with others in this arena. Good luck to any Expat Women member who applies for the scholarships! Andrea

Inspiring Your Success Abroad: Talks In The Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:40:00 +0000

Photo: Stephanie Ward and Andrea Martins

Hi Everyone, My apologies for not writing for so long. It's funny - sometimes you have to travel half way around the world, just to find time to do things that you have not found time to do at home. Anyway...

A big thanks to everyone who attended my Inspiring Your Success Abroad: A Presentation For Expatriate Women talk yesterday at Expatica's 'I Am Not A Tourist Fair' in Amsterdam. And a very special welcome and thank you to all of our new members that signed up at our Expat Women stand yesterday!

If you are in The Netherlands and would like to hear my Inspiring Your Success Abroad presentation, please come along this Thursday night, 29th October, to the EPWN Amsterdam meeting (click here for details) or the Connecting Women meeting in The Hague next Monday night, 2 November. Thanks for your support! Andrea

Baby Survives Fall Under Train In Pram

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, This is not expat-related, but I had to share it anyway. They say Oprah wants the first interview with the mother, so Oprah/her team must be fascinated by it as well...

Baby Survives Fall Under Train In Pram

Have you seen the YouTube videos (here's one of them, on a news site today in Australia) about the baby in Melbourne, Australia, whose pram accidentally rolled onto the train tracks (when the mother was doing something normal like adjusting her trousers)? The baby's pram was hit by the oncoming train (which carried the baby under the train for 30 metres), but the baby boy survived and apparently only received a small bump on the head. Astonishing!

I am sure the mother is counting her blessings. Thank goodness the baby is okay. Not sure the mother will recover for a while, but I hope she does soon, so she can enjoy every day she's been given as a second-chance with her son.

Andrea

ps. Here is another news site's version:
Baby In Tram Hit By Train, Then Goes Home
.

Congratulations Angela Draskovic & The Zoë Alliance

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Hello Everyone, Recently I saw in a Silver Lining Limited newsletter that Angela Draskovic won an entrepreneurial award for the Zoë Alliance. I wrote to Angela to ask if she was an expat or had spent any significant time abroad as an expat, so we could interview her as a Success Story for our site. Unfortunately she's not nor has she ever been an expat, but I wanted to give her/the Zoë Alliance a quick congratulatory shout-out here anyway...

Zoë Alliance

"ZOË is the Greek word for abundant and flourishing LIFE. ZOË Alliance Inc. is a social enterprise established with one aim – to Empower People for Life. Specifically ZOË Alliance helps people and companies transform impoverished villages with their regular purchases.

We believe that people in developing nations are no different than we are in that they desire dignity, the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and invest in their communities. They are different in that they face significant challenges socially, economically, geographically, and politically that make it impossible for them to break the cycle of poverty without strategic and respectful support and intervention.

We stretch each dollar spent on gifts 3 ways to:

Purchase a gift or source a product that tells the story of hope;
Create jobs with dignity in villages; and

Donate funds toward a school or village project.

Our model harnesses the power of the over $849.7 billion dollars we spend and donate each year and turns it into a new way to approach international development. A respectful, market driven, and sustainable way to alleviate poverty that gives much more than a donation."

Congratulations Angela and the Zoë Alliance. Thanks for helping to redirect our spending power - and in turn - helping to make our world a better place.

English Language Jobs In Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Expat Women) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, I was reminded tonight of a website that might be useful to any of you seeking English-language jobs in Europe: EnglishLanguageJobs.com.

We already had their link on our Jobs and Careers page, but thought we would give it a quick shout-out anyway... and if anyone has used this site, please do share your experiences.

Many thanks - enjoy your day/evening! Andrea