Survival Kit for Overseas Living, Fourth Edition: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad

I was required to read the book for my study abroad class. I was surprised to see that some of it was interesting. I just skipped over the stuff that didnt apply to me, so it really wasn't all that boring.

I'm so glad there are expatriation books like this one that teaches you the practical aspects and prepares you for culture shock. Expatriation from America is a subject that the US media considers taboo and non-existent. But yet, it's very real because many are dissatisfied in America and realize that it's not the ideal world it claims to be, nor is it the place where whatever's not possible is not possible anywhere else.

In fact, my greatest discovery overseas is that: "Beyond North America, the social climate is INFINITELY more natural and free flowing, and I am NEVER without attractive female companionship."

This book though, only gets into a few reasons for expatriation, describing only a few benefits that are at the tip of the iceberg. The rest if mostly a how-to guide that covers some practical aspects of it. So far, there hasn't been a book that addresses all the deep real life reasons for living overseas. In short, it talks only about the HOW of expatriation, not the WHY. And shouldn' the WHY be dealt with first? That's what all these authors seem to be missing, except for me. Perhaps the WHY reasons are taboo?

Thus, I've volunteered to become the first one and put together a website and ebook called Happier Abroad at http://www.happierabroad.com to help inspire people to pursue international living, dating and traveling, and cultivate an awareness of the positive benefits overseas unknown to most Americans, who instead are living in fear and isolation perpetuated by the US media and culture which tells them that there is nothing good outside the US and that you are empty inside and need to work and consume to fill that emptiness. It's a soulless life lacking connectedness with others and inner life.

In fact, some of my fans say that my ebook is the perfect complement to this one, making a great combination together. You can read my ebook, Happier Abroad, which is the Gospel inspiring Expatriation from America, at: http://www.happierabroad.com/ebook/Contents.htm

Thanks for reading this review.

Sincerely,
Winston

This book was wonderfully practical and succint. I think the author did a fine job challenging Americans to consider that other cultures are different, not necessarily wrong.

I purchased this book in preparation for a semester abroad, and though it is targeted more towards Americans staying abroad for a longer period of time, I found all of the information relevant and helpful none-the-less

I have only 2 complaints about this book. First, many of the resources the author refers to are out of print or unavailable. That was a point of frustration because many of the books seemed like excellent resources. Also, unfortunately, this book was published just prior to 9/11, an event which significantly affects American travelers.

Despite these shortcomings, I highly recommend this book for anyone spending significant time abroad!

This book is terrible! Don't buy it! it is very condescending and generally stupid. It has a very high-and-mighty sophomoric attitude, while not really giving any worthwhile information. To add insult to injury, it is also out of date and contains misleading information. This book actually has excersizes to teach you what 'stereotypes' are, what 'culture' is, etc. Ugh.

This book, first published in 1979, is still timely and useful, though it shows a few signs of age. It's hard to believe that any Americans in the CNN age are quite as ignorant of the world abroad as they were in the 1970s. However, diversity training and exposure to Thai and Mexican cuisine only goes so far to inoculate Americans against their own inherent cultural assumptions. Yes, this is written for people from the United States and addressed to them directly, but it would be useful to any sojourner trying to shake off hometown assumptions and adapt to life abroad. This volume treats every reader as a neophyte, a Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Author L. Robert Kohls offers a useful series of self-tests and questionnaires, psychological and anthropological frameworks, and practical guidance on routine matters. The book, which is engagingly written, with a wry and sometimes ironic touch, also contains useful appendices. We believe that it merits a place in the library of anyone, particularly any American, who is taking an overseas assignment, however brief.