Like Australia, Thailand also flourished from the countless waves of migrants arriving on its shores. For centuries, people from China, India, USA, the United Kingdom, Germany and other Scandinavian countries came here to settle, work, and contribute to the nation’s further progress. This puts Thailand on the spotlight as one of the most popular migration destinations not just in Asia but in the world.
So, would you rather settle in the Land of Smiles or the Land Down Under?
Relying heavily on exports, Thailand is a newly-industrialized country whose economy is the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. Main industries include automobiles and automotive parts, financial services, electric appliances, tourism, cement, computers and parts, furniture, plastics, textiles and garments, beverages, tobacco, and agricultural processing.
Going to Thailand without a firm job offer will leave you unemployed for quite a while, as most jobs are being offered to Thai citizens only. However, online resources such as Jobzing and Monster advertises job postings. It’s also very important that you speak Thai here to get a job. English teaching and IT related work are the ones easiest to find, and it’s easier to find them in Bangkok than anywhere else. Also, the employer must prove that there is no Thai citizen available for the job post before they can hire you.
Australia operates on a mixed market economy structure, and the 12th largest economy in the world. The economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP.
As long as you can speak English, there will be opportunities in Australia. The country focuses more on specialists, especially on fields such as accountancy, computing, electronics, engineering and mining, catering, cleaning and maintenance services. The payout can also be lucrative, as the country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world.
Check here for a list of resources where you can find jobs in Australia.
Health care in Thailand is divided into private and public system. The private system is quite expensive, but provides a wide range of health insurance packages. Relative to other developed countries, this cost is quite low already, thus attracting many medical tourists. Most foreign workers choose to opt for the private health insurance. There are over 470 private hospitals with superb medical facilities in the country.
Public healthcare, meanwhile, is free for Thai citizens. The medical staff are well-trained. However, the facilities in public hospitals are not in the same standard as in private hospitals. Thai hospitals cannot treat you for free. Before any treatment is administered, you need to provide first proof of acceptable insurance or money to pay your hospital stay. Otherwise, the hospitals might not admit you for in-patient care.
Like in Thailand, Australia’s health care is also divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Thai cuisine is one of the most famous in the world. It focuses on balance, detail, and variety are the most significance elements. Thai cuisine is known for blending in at least three and up to four or five elementary taste senses in each dish such as sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy. This technique of combining can be executed on the overall meal. Unlike other dishes in other country, Thai stays away from simplicity and aims for a complex and harmonious combination of different taste.
When dining, do not pour your own drink. This goes the same with your neighbor. So be alert if their glass/cup is half-empty already. Chopsticks are not normally use, except when eating Japanese or Chinese dishes. Do not slurp on soups or broth. Remember also that when you eat all the rice in your bowl, it means you want more. Do not take the last bit of food from a central serving plate. And tipping is not usually practiced here.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
When dining, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work, unless your host initiates so. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive in straight on to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Getting a good place to settle in Thailand can be challenging. And this escalates furthermore if you live in large cities. However, property prices are generally lower here compared to other developed countries. When it comes to renting, your choices will boil down to four types of properties here: Serviced apartments (condominiums with hotel-like atmosphere and services, popular in the country's business districts), rented condominiums (regular condominiums without the additional services), houses (mostly located in the suburbs), and town houses (smaller than regular houses).
If you’re planning to rent, you need to have at least a passport, a copy of your work permit, and proof of income.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
To find out more how to rent a house in the country, check here.
Thailand’s public transport is varied, dynamic, and can sometimes even be chaotic as roads can be congested and there are no dominant means of transportation. However, road travel has been the primary method of roaming around. One such public transport is the tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled auto rickshaw. The tuk-tuk is especially useful during traffic congestions. Rapid transit systems also operate in Bangkok such as Skytrain, Bangkok Metro (MRT), Bangkok Skytrain (BTS), and the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link (ARL). Buses, on the other hand, are the most popular means for long distance travel. They also operate in Bangkok for in-city travels. Other alternative methods of transportations are motorbikes, taxis, van, and boats.
A one way train ticket here costs US$0.57, while a monthly pass is at around US$34.27. Starting taxi tariff is US$1.00 with US$0.23 for the first one kilometer. A Toyota Corolla 1.6l 97kW Comfort (or any equivalent new car) will set you back US$24,235.67. Gasoline is at US$0.80 for every litter.
All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. But, like in Thailand, driving is the most used mode of transport, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), bus, and lastly, train. Despite this, roads are unlikely to get congested, except in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Fares are pricier than in Brazil, though. A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
Throughout most of the year, the climate in Thailand is typically hot and humid. It has only three distinct seasons: the hot season from March to May, the cool season from November to February and the rainy season from about June to October. The landlocked provinces i.e. the central, northern, and northeastern Thailand experience all the three seasons while the southern and coastal regions goes only through two seasons. This makes the general climate here quite easy to understand.
All in all, the climate here can be defined as tropical monsoon. It features strong monsoon influences, has a substantial amount of sun, high rate of rainfall, and high humidity that sometimes makes the weather feel quite disagreeable.
Due to its massive size, climate also varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Advantages of Thai citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
While Thailand has yet to reach the status comparable to that of Australia’s economy, the Asian culture and standard of living has been the main draw among expatriates and migrants. The costs of living here is relatively low, the health care efficient and affordable, and Thai way of life is very unique as it is charming. It is reflected in its world class cuisine, the South Asian architecture, and the colorful festivities. Work life here might be hectic, but their traditions and way of living is already a tradeoff.
On the downside, you initially have to deal with the language barrier, as very few people here speaks English. Also, the cities tend to be congested, leading to heavy flow of traffic, especially during rush hours. Not to mention, the Thais’ etiquettes, manners, and social protocols are very far to that of the western world. So big adjustments are needed here.
Australia, on the other hand, is as Western as it gets. It maintains its British Colonial influences while integrating it to American contributions, and completed by Asian and Mediterranean influences. English is the primary language, so you will have no difficulties communicating. Also, Aussies are very warm, friendly, and very open to small talks, even to total strangers. No to mention, the stable economy means it always have opportunities to migrants.
However, its unstable weather, large size, and isolated location are the main drawbacks here. The country can experience as many as four weather patterns in the single day. Also, due to its size, driving form once city to another can take a while. The same is also with traveling to other countries .
Before the 1930s, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was one of the most underdeveloped countries in the planet. Upon the discovery of oil, it transformed into one of the wealthiest nations and migration hotspots in the world. Relying essentially on foreign labor to efficiently make use of their vast oil reserves, there are roughly 9 million foreign workers now in the country from all over the world such as the United States, Europe, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Most of them engineers, architects, technicians, machine operators, and some are even agriculturists and domestic workers.
Today we compare the world’s Oil Baron with the Lucky Country.
Possessing over 18% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with the government having strong control over major economic activities, and ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum. Main industries include crude oil production, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, industrial gases, cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, and construction. Unemployment rate is at 11.4% while inflation rate is 3.77%
Just like its neighbor country, United Aram of Emirates, salary level here is just the same (or slightly greater) as those offered by western countries. What makes the country a lucrative destination is the absence of personal taxation. This makes the net income much bigger. Also, housing, car, and education provisions that were previously given are now being offered as cash packages. Though you have to endure the 40 to 48-hour working time that is a norm here.
Australia too operates on a mixed market economy structure, and the 12th largest economy in the world. The economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8% with a lower inflation rate of 1.3%
The country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world. Though income taxes may apply, the net income is still very much considerable. Packages and fringe benefits include company cars, mobile phones, laptops, and even utility bills.
In Saudi Arabia's national health care system, the government administers health care services through a number of its agencies. However, there is a growing role and increased participation from the private sector in the provision of health care services.
Both the natives and expats are entitled for a comprehensive package of benefits. These include public health, preventive, diagnostic, and curative services and pharmaceuticals with very minor exclusions and without cost sharing. Majority of such as state of the art cardio-vascular procedures, organ transplants, and cancer treatments (including bone marrow transplants) are covered. For private sector expatriates, sponsors and/or employers are contracted for settling for an extensive package of services
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Arabian cuisine had gone through thousands of years with little to no evolution. Some of the common food items include wheat, rice, lamb, chicken, yogurt, potatoes and dates. The Islamic dietary laws prohibits the eating of pork and the drinking of alcoholic beverages. This law is encompasses all of Saudi Arabia. Also, animals must be butchered in a halal way and blessed before they can be eaten as per Islamic law.
Dinning etiquettes here is quite complex. As the food is served before meals, guests say, "Sahtain" (much like "bon appetit"), or "Bismillah" (“In the name of God”); when the meal is over, guests should also say, "Daimah" ("may there always be plenty at your table"). Never use your left hand when eating. Women should not directly touch Muslim men’s’ food, unless they are direct relatives. Men and women may be asked to dine separately. And spouses are typically never invited to business meals and dinners.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
Unlike in Saudi Arabia, gender equality is being observed here. Women can dine with men and can partake in business meeting. There are no laws governing which food to eat to anything available can be served (and yes, including pork and alcohol). However, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work when dining here, unless your host initiates so. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive in straight on to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Due to the rapid growth of the economy and the abrupt arrival of expats, housing for new migrants had to be built as fast as possible. This means that, instead of individual houses, apartment blocks were constructed. The term ‘compound’ refers to a group of houses or small apartment blocks within a walled enclosure. This may include a communal swimming pool, a restaurant, a shop, tennis and squash courts, and a gymnasium. There might be a play area for children and a form of community hall known as a majlis – the traditional Arab meeting area for visitors.
Expats and natives usually do not live together. The Arab culture usually call for large, extended families, which require large houses. The affluent typically own villas while the less well-off tend to own medium-sized houses.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sport the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing. They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
To find out more how to rent a house in the country, check here.
Operated by two government-owned companies, a railway network move around in Saudi Arabia, transporting people and good across the country. Inter-city buses also operate country and operated by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company. It includes 2,000 buses connecting Saudi Arabia’s major cities such as Riyadh (the capital), Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Taif, Dammam, Abha, Gaseem, Tabuk and Hael. But the most used mode of roaming around the country is road transport; such as private driving and getting a taxi. The country funneled much of its resources in building roads and infrastructures
A one way train ticket here costs US$53, while a monthly pass is at around US$53.33. Starting taxi tariff is US$2.67 with US$1.33 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$17,331.48. Gasoline is at US$0.17 for every litter.
The rail way system in Australia is very extensive and efficient due to its huge size also. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all sport expansive electric commuter rail networks which eventually have developed and expanded over time. Trams have operated extensive across the country but have since shut down in favor of cars, except in Melbourne and Adelaide. While Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have partially underground transit systems. Buses and taxis also operate in the country. However, despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. If you want to find out how commuting etiquette here works, check here.
Commuting costs here are pricier than in Russia, though. A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
Saudi Arabia has a desert climate defined by extreme heat during the day, a sudden drop in temperature at night, and very minimal annual rainfall. There is considerable variation in temperature and humidity due to the influence of a subtropical high-pressure system. Meanwhile, the region of Asir along the Western coast is influenced by the Indian Ocean monsoons, usually occurring between Octobers. The two main differences in the climate of Saudi-Arabia can be felt between the coastal areas and the interior.
The average summer temperature is approximately 45° C, but readings of up to 54° C are not rare. The heat becomes intensified just after sunrise and lasts until sunset, followed by surprisingly cool nights. In the winter, the temperature seldom drops below 0° C.
Due to its massive size, climate varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Aside from both having the warm, dessert climate, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Australia are worlds apart. The earlier thrives with a strictly middle eastern-culture governed by Islamic laws. The latter is rife with Western influences with no adherence to a specific religion or ideology.
Saudi’s employment comes with unusually high perks not found in most countries such as high salaries, free tickets back home, and the absence of tax. The also offer free education for kids and lucrative end of service benefits after two or three years of employment. Not to mention, the free health care and other medical benefits. On the down side, you may need to survive the language barrier, the very intense climate, and the ultra-conservative nature of their society, especially when it comes to women (they are not allowed to drive, wear certain clothes, compete in sports, swim, interact with men, etc.). Also, there isn’t much freedom when it comes to religion and the lack of entertainment options in the country is very apparent.
Meanwhile, Australia provides greater freedom to its citizens and migrants in choice of their religion and beliefs, employment, and choices in life regardless of gender, race, and status in life. Everybody speaks English so it’s easier to communicate. And expats can go for permanent residency and even citizenship to further improve their quality of life, a benefit not typically found in Australia. Though the country offers the highest minimum wage in the planet, the income tax and cost of living offset that.
It was Christmas day of 1991 when the Soviet flag flew over the Kremlin in Moscow for the last time. This marks the final stage of the demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), or more popularly known as the Soviet Union. The dissolution happens essentially due to the many number of radical reforms being implemented during the last six years. Earlier before December 25, the 11 Soviet republics, including the mighty Russian Federation, announced they will they would establish a Commonwealth of Independent States.
Russia’s history and political transitions are sometimes tumultuous, but it survives every time just like the robust empire it is since the medieval times. Now, it is one of the hottest migration destinations in the world.
Today we compare two of the most massive countries in the world to help you decide where to go.
A high-income mixed economy with state ownership in strategic areas of the economy, Russia largely rely on natural resources for revenue. Due to its massive size, it is estimated that the country has 30% of the world’s natural resources. Economic sectors include energy (oil, gas, coal, and timber), mining (minerals and gold), fishing and forestry, agriculture, aerospace, automotive, banking, and telecommunications, among others. It has an unemployment rate of 5.6% and inflation rate of 7.5%
As an expat, working here will likely to hand you high salaries and a great financial quality of life. But you have to manage your expectation, huge pay-outs are hard-earned, and jobs for foreigners are increasingly challenging to find. Foreigners mostly secure executive or senior managerial positions through Russian or international executive search offices. Locals usually fill in the Junior and middle-management positions
Like Russia, Australia too operates on a mixed market economy structure, and the 12th largest economy in the world. The economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8% with a lower inflation rate of 1.3%
There are many opportunities here both for upper and middle management, but the country focuses more on specialists, especially on fields such as accountancy, computing, electronics, engineering and mining, catering, cleaning and maintenance services. The payout can also be lucrative, as the country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world.
The Constitution of the Russian Federation mandates the right to all citizens to free health care under Mandatory Medical Insurance. For every 10,000 people, there are 43.8 doctors allotted. This is lower in rural areas at only 12.1. There are around 9.3 beds per thousand population, almost double the OECD average. The country allots 6.5% of Gross Domestic Product on health care expenditure. Approximately 5% of the population have health insurance, most of them from major cities.
Though Russia has relatively poor statistics in the health care system. Quality medical treatment in can still be found. As it has pioneered some of the most specialized fields of medicine in recent years, such as laser eye surgery. Not to mention, the many different developments and breakthroughs in heart surgery. Quality medical treatment can also be found at several health centers.
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Russian cuisine has no singular characteristics. It is a collection of the diverse cooking traditions of the people from all around the country, which is massive. It is essentially influenced by foods consumed by peasants and people of the rural population in often harsh climates, and usually includes fish, pork, poultry, caviar, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Over time, foods such as smoked meats and fish, pastries, salads, chocolate, ice cream, wines, and juice were imported from other countries and made as their own.
When dining, do not start eating until all the guests have received food on their plates and your host invites you to begin. If gravy or sauce is included, use your bread to soak some of it up. When offered a drink, always take it. Give a good excuse if you cannot drink. The more you drink, the more you will be offered. Tipping at 9% to 10% is appropriate.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
When dining, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work, unless your host initiates so. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive in straight on to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Since the early 1990s, the housing market in Russia has gone through important shifts, as the thriving economy has contributed to an increase in prices. Over the past 4 years modern apartments in the city centres have become available. Price of rentals is determined by location, condition of the flat and type of building.
The types of apartments available here include luxury apartments, elite renovation (both are built with excellent materials and modern design.), Western-style (or "evroremont," suited to more practical and comfortable tastes), above-average (or "cosmetic renovation," the most typical Russian homes, their style dates back to the Soviet era and are usually clean and simple) and standard apartments (average or poor quality).
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
To find out more how to rent a house in the country, check here.
The largest country in the world naturally is home to one of the most extensive transport network. Russia has the world's second-largest railway network, second only to that of the United States. In the capital, the metro is the most popular form of transport. The Moscow metro system serves 7 million passengers a day, while the St Petersburg system serves 2 million. This is a lot of people considering the network only has five lines. There are also underground metro systems in Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Samara and Yekaterinburg. Due to the competition between public and private bus companies and lack of centralised organization, it is challenging to find information about timetables online, so it is best just to check at the bus stops. Taxis, on the other hand, cannot be hailed off the street, they have to be called in advance.
A one way train ticket here costs US$0.43, while a monthly pass is at around US$23.00. Starting taxi tariff is US$2.06 with US$0.23 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$15,653.22. Gasoline is at US$0.53 for every litter.
The rail way system in Australia is just as extensive and efficient as it is in Russia logically due to its huge size also. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all sport expansive electric commuter rail networks which eventually have developed and expanded over time. Trams have operated extensive across the country but have since shut down in favor of cars, except in Melbourne and Adelaide. While Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have partially underground transit systems. Buses and taxis also operate in the country. However, despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. If you want to find out how commuting etiquette here works, check here.
Commuting costs here are pricier than in Russia, though. A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
Due to its size, it is quite difficult to give any sort of general description about the climate in Russia, except from the fact that summers are warm to hot, and winters get very cold in some areas. The climate in the country is highly influenced by continental climate with warm to hot dry summers and very cold winters and sometimes with heavy snowfall. Sometimes very strong easterly winds, called buran can occur, bringing freezing cold temperatures and snowstorms.
Heavyweight clothing is largely needed for the winter, no matter where your location is. Waterproof light- to medium weight is suggested for the summer. Be ready for extreme conditions in the northern and northeastern parts of Siberia in the winter.
Likewise, due to its massive size, climate also varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rain forest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Both Russia and Australia are unbelievable large countries in terms of land size and economy. Both rely on a mixed market structure to support their trade, have expansive transport services, offer a wide variety of houses to choose from, and feature a wide range of climate regions. These are just a few of their similarities. The differences, however, are just as vast.
Lifestyle in Russia features a culture unique in its own, this can be very apparent in their architectures, traditions, and food. If you are not fond of a warm climate, you’re in luck. Majority of the country has a fairly cool atmosphere. There are also lots to do with the many organizations and clubs having events everywhere. And lastly, there are so much opportunities to travel, since the country is large and landlocked with other countries. Going to Asia and Europe is easier. However, you may have to deal with the language barrier, the small space usually offered in apartments, and the crowded transport and congested traffic all the time. The winters are also very long and very cold.
Australia, on the other hand, has a mix of European and American culture, with its unique element thrown in. Everybody speaks English, so you can communicate everybody easily. The country also offers high minimum wage, and there are lots of choices with the apartments with decent spaces. Unlike in Russia, the cities aren’t really crowded and traffic congestion can be rare, especially in smaller towns. On the flip side, there isn’t much activities in the aforementioned smaller towns, as most entertainment centers are in the bigger cities. The properties can also be pricey, and driving from one city to another can take a while. Also, since it’s isolated by water, a trip to Asia, United States, or Europe can take a while.
Knowledge is power. And there’s no other situation when you need so much power as you can get than when you need to survive in an alien place with an equally alien culture. And this predicament rises exponentially when you are in Australia. You see, the country is where the world gets flipped upside down, with its quirky culture and unique people. And it doesn’t help that people get bombarded with inaccurate information and misconceptions about the country.
These seven books will arm you with the proper knowledge about living in the Land Down Under. Most of them are written with an outsider like you who gets a taste of culture shock when moving here, and then slowly immerse themselves. These literary works of art will paint you an almost accurate picture about the life in Australia.
Written in 1987, English travel writer, novelist, and journalist Bruce Chatwin combines fiction and non-fiction to describe his journey to research and discover the country’s aboriginal songs and its connection to the Outback culture as well as Aboriginal culture and religion. Chatwin argues that the aboriginal songs are related to man’s nomadic nature, its evolution, and the formation of their self-concept and concept of the land, as they travel from one place to another,. He said this is especially true in one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Australia.
To fully know about a country, you have to discover it on a deeper level. And there’s no better way to do that than through the people who first settled here. The aborigines of Australia are people teeming with lessons about the country’s ancient culture. And what they impart sparks interest even from complete strangers to the country.
In this witty and humorous travelogue by Bill Bryson, the Anglo-American author tours Australia through car and train, no less. He strikes conversations with locals from all walks of life along the way about the country‘s history, geography, and even the unusual plants and animals Oz is famous for. He then snowballs this with his reactions about the life and culture in the country.
The book covers a great deal of geography, including the life in the Outback, the modern and civilized part of the country, and the edges where the best natural spots like the Uluru Rock and the Great Barrier Reef are located.
If we’re going to recommend a single book to browse through while on your trip to Oz, this would be it. Bryson gives a feel of how it would be a total stranger in Australia without the readers having to go through the culture shock. He will immerse you through culture of the locals, providing a glimpse of what will be your way of life here. Consider here a preview of the exciting things to come for you here.
Nobody can write about Australia than Australians themselves. Journalist, critic, and non-fiction author Phillip Knightley extraordinarily proved that. In this combination of historical discourse, travelogue, and life essay, Knightley plunges the reader along the tumultuous forces that shaped Australia from a convict colony to the thriving country it is now today. He accounts marvelous details from its federation-government era to the First World War to the Great Depression to the gradual evolution and severing of its relationship with Great Britain.
If you should know the country, you should know its history. Knightley showed us that Australia wasn’t built in a day. It’s conglomeration of various forces over time such as the two World Wars, civils wars, and the Great Depression. Topping it all is the force of immigration which constantly rebuilds the nation from its ashes.
The book is written like a, well, biography, painting Australia like a living, breathing character going through different phases and challenges of its life as it builds its own identity and personality. This book is a powerful reminder of how you, as an immigrant, is not just a number in a larger demography, but a contributor to the aggregate of forces that constantly develops the country.
If you’re going to settle in Australia for good, you might as well browse on the most read novel in the country of the late 20th century. The book details on the life and struggles of the Darceys, an Irish Catholic family who resides in a post war Sydney slum called Surry Hills, a place beset in poverty and violence. This literary masterpiece was based upon Ruth Park’s observations themselves into the daily lives of people in the area. A New Zealander, Park moved to Australia to live with her husband. The novel was eventually translated into 37 languages due to its massive success.
The main characters transmits Park’s views as a newcomer thrust into the chaotic and precarious modern jungle of Sydney still trying to survive from the ravages of World War II. Being an Irish Catholic family, their existence and perspectives clashes with the emerging individuality of the nation as it tries to get back on its feet, revealing how the identity and culture of Australia itself is sometimes complex and unsolvable. The gripping poverty and the difficulties of ethnic relations raises this predicament even further.
As an immigrant, you are more likely to face the same dilemma and challenges, and you can pull out the strength and inspiration from this book.
After living abroad for years, novelist Peter Carey returns home to Sydney in this unique merger of reality and fiction, as he tries to rediscover the city with the help of his rag tag crew of old friends. Set in 2000 while the Sydney Olympic Games are still being held, Carey armed himself with a tape recorder to collect his friends’ stories and their impressions, both wry and straightforward, about Australia’s most famous city. The result is work that effectively mixes history, anecdote, and criticism about the city itself.
Sydney is the country’s most renowned city. One cannot think of Australia without imagining the Opera House or the Harbour Bridge. Ironically, what most people know about it barely scratches the surface. Very little is noted beyond the city’s blinding lights and marvelous façade. Carey uncovers everything that matters, both good and bad, about the city. He might have twisted reality and throws bias along the way, but the picture he paints is as convincing and realistic as ever. He definitely gives an air of being a foreigner in a city where he lived a large part of his life.
A month from now, Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro, will stage the foremost sports competition in the world, the 2016 Summer Olympics. Rio beat three other major cities namely Chicago, Madrid, and Tokyo (Tokyo will host again in 2020, though). This will be the first time the country will host the Olympic Games, and this is a clear testament that Brazil is now up and ready to compete and be recognized in the world’s center stage, not just in sports, but in terms of economy, culture, and migration.
Today, we shine the spotlight on the Land of Brazilwood.
Brazil
Characterized by moderately free markets and an inward-oriented economic structure, Brazil has the world's ninth largest economy by nominal GDP. Its major industries include textiles, shoes, chemicals, lumber, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment. However, unemployment and inflation is a bit high, at 7.5% and 7.27%, respectively.
If you plan on working in the country, you need to find a job prior to your departure. The job market and regulations for expatriates provides very limited opportunities. This is due in part to the increasing number of well-trained and well-equipped natives, filling in Brazil’s ever growing workforce. Knowledge of Portuguese language is also a requirement here. Average working time is 40 to 44 hours a week.
One of the largest mixed market economies in the world, Australia’s economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8%, but still very low in overall scale. Inflation rate is 1.3%.
Like in Brazil, it is best here with a job already intact. However, coming to Australia unemployed doesn’t leave you in the dust. Employment sites on the internet are everywhere, and they are increasingly being used by Australian agencies and headhunters. Everybody speaks English so you can communicate with basically everyone. At 1,664 working hours annually (or 32 hours a week), it is lower than in Brazil, and way lower than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 1,770.
Health care in the country is a right as mandated by their Constitution. It is a responsibility of the federal government and is overseen by the individual states when it comes to operations of hospitals. It is available to anyone who is legally in Brazil, which, including foreign residents.
This service can be accessed from the public national health system, from private providers subsidized by the federal government through the Social Security budget, or from the private sector through private insurance or employers. Those who cannot afford healthcare can utilize the government’s free public national health system. Doctors’ fees, lab fees, hospitalization, surgery, or even prescription drugs are all free through this. The private system, on the other hand, have shorter waits and better care. The wealthier Brazilians, which covers about 20% of the population, usually utilize this system.
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
The extent to which the health care system is used is flexible among Australian citizens, overseas visitors, and temporary and permanent visa holders. Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Brazilian cuisine differs vastly region by region, and is heavily formed by European, African and Amerindian influences. Typical dishes include feijoada (considered as the country's national dish), vatapá, moqueca, polenta and acarajé, all of which are regional foods. Coffee is the national beverage, and cachaça is Brazil's native liquor. Cachaça is distilled from sugar cane and is the main ingredient in the national cocktail, caipirinha.
When dining outside on informal settings, you may summon the wait staff by making eye contact, and may require you to share a table. Do not discuss work and/or business matters unless your Brazilian associates start doing so. Follow their lead. Generally, the one who does the inviting settles the bill, although the guest is expected to make an effort to do it. Tipping with 10% is considered sufficient already.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Like the Japanese, Aussies prefer the freshest produces as much as possible (check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
When dining in exclusive restaurants, making reservations and confirming them are a protocol. For informal places, not much. And you may share a table with a stranger. You may strike a conversation if welcomed.
Housing is still a major challenge in the country is facing today due to accelerated urbanisation and population growth especially in major cities. As these cities grow too quickly, the resources are not able to catch up with the ballooning population. The migrants who are unable to afford proper housing are built temporary housing without proper utilities which formed what is now called favelas. There are over 7 million houses in the country with no adequate conditions to be habitable.
The cost of living has been rising over the years, and that includes housing. Economic experts claim that a housing bubble is on the rise and will soon collapse. As an expat with place to settle yet, you may seek local help to find a house for you. Expats and migrants can definitely buy a house in Brazil. However, foreign nationals may need to obtain first specific permission from authorities to purchase property in close proximity to beaches or agricultural land.
The government works hard to increase house-ownership in Australia. Only 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing. They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
You may check here for a comprehensive guide on how to find your first apartment.
Brazil is constantly being criticized due to the lack of investment in its infrastructure. Because of the fast-growing economy, there will be increasing demands in the transport networks, especially to efficiently allow the follow of exports, But Brazil has yet to meet them. A high-speed rail, one connecting São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is currently under development. Subways can be found in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and five other cities. They are useful in avoiding intense traffic. But buses remain the most common form of transport especially amongst Brazil’s common mass who have to travel long distances from the outer-city limits to the wealthier areas where they work. Taxis also operate in the country. You can call for them in advance or wait at the tax station.
A one way train ticket here costs US$1.06, while a monthly pass is at around US$45.48. Starting taxi tariff is US$(1.44 with US$0.83 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$21,222.41. Gasoline is at US$1.09 for every litter.
All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Despite this, driving is the most used mode of transport, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), bus, and lastly, train.
Fares are pricier than in Brazil, though. A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
Due to the difference of heights above sea level of the Brazil landscape and also the proximity to the coast, the climate varies from region to region. There are four distinct climatic zones.
An equatorial climate in which rainforests can be found due to the year-round humidity and precipitation. There is no winter season and no period it is particularly dry. The semi-arid zone receive less rain than they actually need to make up for evaporation, turning the area into an almost desert. They are the halfway mark between deserts and humid forests. The highland tropical zone, also called an oceanic climate or a maritime climate, and is found along the coast of the country. It features cool summers and warm winters, although the annual temperature does not change by significant amounts. The subtropical zone refers to the areas that are just outside of the formal tropical zones. It is hot, but not quite as hot and humid as tropical areas. Winters are mild to cool, but not cold enough for snow or frost.
Due to its massive size, climate varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Advantages of Brazilian Citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
When it comes to the warm overall climate, friendly people, fun beach culture, and an exciting nightlife, Brazil and Australia share these similarities and are two of the top countries to go to. For everything else, however, is heavily a matter of preference.
Brazil boasts of Spanish and Latin American culture, where parades and festivities are everywhere. Plus, the opportunities and salary for executive positions are high, coupled with the high interest on savings in local bank accounts. On the flipside, you may need to learn Portuguese before settling here without any hassle. Also, the cost of living and inflation rate is slowly rising. And as mentioned, it gets pretty crowded in major cities, which sometimes lead to safety and security concerns.
Australia, meanwhile, sports a more American lifestyle. The cities are safe (with low crime rates and strict gun control laws) and pretty laidback. There also a lot of opportunities for workers of all levels, all giving what is considered as the highest minimum pay in the world. And it is home to seven of the best universities in the world. However, there is the issue of the cost of living gradually rising also. Not to mention, the highly erratic weather can add to further inconvenience along the way. Also, you need to learn to drive at the left side of the road.
Going back a century or two ago, China was the one sending its migrants abroad. The Chinese citizens, most of them laborers and the unemployed, traveled as far as the United Kingdom, United States, or even Australia, looking for new jobs and a new life. Fast forward to the current times, people are now going to China for opportunities. The last three decades of accelerated economic growth placed the country in the global spot of immigration, characterized by the increasing number of foreigners and expats there.
Today we compare the Red Dragon with the Land Down Under.
China’s economy is the second largest in the world (beyond the United States), the largest in terms of purchasing power parity, and fastest-growing one. Its major industries include mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, petroleum, cement, chemicals, transportation equipment, heavy engineering, commercial space launch vehicles, among many others. Current unemployment rate is at 4.05% with an inflation rate of 1.4%.
However, this robust economy does not automatically translate to well-regarded working conditions. Chinese law mandated a 40-hour weekly working period, but this is not widely practiced. Working overtime is very ordinary and most employers never compensated their workers for it. Each year, employees are entitles to three holiday offs only, each one lasting for a week. Even by then, they are mandated to make up on these offs by working through the previous weekend.
One of the largest mixed market economies in the world, Australia’s economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8% with an inflation rate of 1.3%
At 1,664 working hours annually (or 32 hours a week), it is lower than in China, and way lower than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 1,770. However, this cannot be strictly applied to professions with special working conditions.
The Ministry of Health of the State Council manages the health services system. Close to all the major medical facilities are managed by the government. The country spends 5.4% of its gross domestic product on healthcare expenditures, a number still much lower as compared to OECD countries. Because of its expansive size, conditions of care, access to facilities, and related costs differ vastly across locations and institutions. Cities might have quick access to hospitals and clinics, but rural will have to travel hours to obtain medical services.
Private healthcare is mostly well-represented only in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou and other large cities. They offer English-speaking staff with Western training, though the price will be double of those in public hospitals.
Medicare, the Australian government’s universal public health insurance scheme, provides residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
The extent to which the health care system is used is adjustable among Australian citizens, overseas visitors, and temporary and permanent visa holders. Their needs, entitlements, and expectations are influenced by many components such as the nature and degree of their health status, age, gender, location, and cultural background.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Chinese cuisine can be dated back to thousands of years of history, constantly changing from period to period. It is primarily divided into different categories, known as "Eight Culinary Cuisines," they are Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang cuisines. Chinese food staples include rice, noodles, vegetables, and sauces and seasonings.
When dining out, wait for the host to start eating before doing so. Also, it is expected that you say "youyi," meaning “here’s to friendship” before eating or drinking anything. Likewise, you should thanks the host after the dinner. Never refill you own glass. This goes the same with your neighbors. Only use the chopstick and never your fingers. Otherwise, ask for Western utensils. Tipping here is considered illegal, so do not leave any loose change on the table.
Australian cuisine is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens.
Business discussions over a non-business dinner is not encouraged here. And heading straight to business talk on a lunch/dinner meeting is frowned upon.
When going for an exclusive restaurant, you are expected to make reservations first and confirm. In informal restaurants, you might be expected to share a table. Be open to conversations when invited. Australians are not known to decline a friendly chat.
Since the late 1970s, the Chinese government has been pushing through the commercialization of housing in urban areas. This led into the property business expanding in the country. Apartments are getting built at fast-paced rate, resulting into soaring prices. This largely outgrew the number of people who can afford them. Currently, there 89 million houses, apartment complexes, and shopping malls currently unoccupied for years now.
Experts say that China is now undergoing a housing bubble, and is nearing collapse. This will result in a pin fall of housing values, putting homeowners underwater. The bubble is supposed to burst in 2011, but kept afloat these days due to China’s strong economic condition.
Owning a house is also not very common in Australia. Around 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in the country.
Expectedly, rents are cheaper in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Due to its vast size, rail is the primary mode of transport in China, since it is accessible to everybody and can cover large distances. The country has over 600,000 freight cars and 50,000 coaches in its disposal. Also, the metro, subway, and rapid systems are undergoing rapid construction. There are currently 40 subway systems and 15 rapids transit systems across the country and more are coming along the way. At twelve lines, 233 stations, and 420 km (261 mi) of track in operation, the Shanghai Metro is by far the longest metro system in the world. Buses also operate in the country on a provincial level while shuttle and trolley buses like this link smaller towns. Taxis can be found in almost every city. Tipping is not a custom.
A one way train ticket here costs US$0.30, while a monthly pass is at around US$22.43. Starting taxi tariff is US$1.50 with US$0.34 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$22,428.90. Gasoline is at US$0.98 for every litter.
All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Despite this, driving is the most used mode of transport, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), bus, and lastly, train.
A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometer ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litter of gasoline.
If you want to find out how commuting etiquette here works, check here.
Because of its massive size, the climate in China differs from region to region. The winters in North China are quite unrelenting since temperatures drop as an impact of the cold and dry northerly winds. In Beijing, the weather is cold and sometimes snowy, but also dry and sunny. While in South China, the weather here remains humid from April through September due to the typhoons that usually affect the coastal regions. The summers in Central China are very warm and very humid. The winter months are also very cold, with freezing temperatures.
Just Like China, Australia goes through differing climates as well. This fact is characterized by the severely hot climate in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the continent to below zero in the Snowy Mountains in the south. Also due to its size, there just can’t be one seasonal calendar for the whole continent.
Depending upon where in the continent you are each month, the seasons will vary, whether the weather is defined by the Temperate zone seasons or the tropical seasons. To find out more what is the climate and weather patterns in each of the states in the country, check our blog here.
Article 7 of the Nationality Law of the PRC states that foreigners can apply to become Chinese citizens if they:
Chinese citizens who are employed in PRC are entitled to the following
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
China and Australia are two of the biggest nations out there, in terms of landmass and economy. Both are also prime destinations for expats looking for better opportunities. And that’s where the similarities end.
Culturally, China is a powerhouse, especially if you’re from a Western country looking for a more Oriental life. Also, it’s easier to travel to other Asian countries since they are closer. Not to mention, there will be a lot of opportunities especially if you work for the I.T. Industry and/or project management, since the Chinese highly regard those with western training. Though you might have to deal with the severe traffic that is gripping the major cities these days, especially the more congested ones. And most television channels and Internet sites are blocked in China, since the government heavily censors them. Not to mention, there’s the language barrier.
Australia, on the other hand, is as Western as it gets because of the UK and US influences, so there is much freedom in the media, and English is the main language here. Expats are also treated very well since most of its history and economy is built by immigrants. There isn’t much traffic since the cities are not as congested as in China. Though, compared to China, the cost of living here is higher. Private schooling can be expensive, and getting between states can be take a while if you are not flying because of its size.
Some habits are just universal. Tipping, looking left when crossing the street, and using a tumble dryer. But Australia is a place where things get flipped upside down and get done differently from the rest of the world. Upon stepping into its shores, be ready to let go some of the manners, quirkiness, and fixations you formed, especially if you’re from the west.
Here are eight habits you will eventually loose in the Land Down Under.
If you are from the United States, Switzerland, Dubai, or basically 65 percent of the countries with right-hand traffic, then you are used to rolling on left-hand driven wheels. Australia, just like most of former British colonies and island nations (Oz is both), drives on the left. Making a switch can be initially challenging, as you are a slave to you “keep right” instinct.
But you know what’s more challenging? Crossing the street. If you are from a right-hand traffic country, you are pre-disposed to looking at your left when crossing. In Australia, you should be looking to the right. Most newly landed expats tend to look on both directions. It might make them looked confused, but at least they avoided getting rammed by a car.
They say credit cards is the new cash. But not in Australia. Cash is still king here. Some stores also accept plastics (MasterCard and Visa mostly), but there should be a minimum of $10 for total expenses. Majority of them accept cash only, especially the small retailers, smaller hotels or guesthouses. The same is also true for most restaurants, cafes, pubs, fitness clubs, and taxi companies. It is more convenient for bar tenders, waiters, and taxi drivers (swiping cards takes more times than just accepting cash), and it saves you from spiraling down to crippling credit card debt. Win-win, if you’ll ask us.
Back at home, 90% of households will have an electric clothes dryer sitting next to their washing machines. You just pack in your wet clothes, push a button or two, and have them drained while you continue watching Netflix. Like a stove or a refrigerator, a clothes dryer is a necessity. You can’t really imagine life without it.
In Australia, you will realize that imagination, where drying clothes takes more effort and zero electricity. You see, the country has a sub-tropical climate, receiving more sunshine than most western nations. Draining clothes here is as easy as hanging your soaked accouterments outside and let the sun and wind do the job. This practice became so ingrained in Australian life that the hills hoist, a rotary fixture that does this job, is considered one of the country's most recognisable icons.
You know the drill. You got hungry after some beer party, you go outside, and choose among 20 kinds of fast food restaurants occupying a single city block. You name it: McDonald's, KFC, Taco Bell, Tim Hortons, Burger King, Wendy's, Carl's Jr., Arby's, and other dives that serve greasy, deed-fried, artery-clogging meals.
In the Land Down Under, you have to make do with just three or four of these, and they are few and far in between. The gaps are filled with restaurants with a diverse range of cuisines such as sushi, kebabs, salads, roasts and vegan foods. Here, you will be forced to eat healthy, or better, cook you own meals, since it is cheaper by a mile. Not much McDonalds to run into here.
Prices are mostly rounded off in Australia. Seriously, it’s very rare to see something marked as $39.43, therefore getting rid of the need for cent coin values (pennies, quarters, etc.), although 5, 10, 20 and 50-cent coins are still in circulation. The one and two dollar-coins are the ones you can’t throw away. So if you are in a habit of leaving loose change stuck between couch covers, under the sofa, or on the kitchen counter (especially if you are an American), you will lose a LOT in Australia.
Over the weeks, these loose dollar change can pile up enough to buy you a meal, a case of beer, or even as gas money. So start keeping the change, you know, for a change.
For more than half of the world, especially in under-developed and still developing countries, tap water is good only for washing the dishes and food preparation. Consuming them can lead to bouts of diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid, and hosts of other diseases. So your best is to buy a water purifier or bottle water.
Once you get in the Lucky Country, there’s no need to buy bottled water anymore. Tap water here is potable and completely safe to drink. It saves you time, money, and effort from shopping for bottled H20 from the store, it helps the environment by eliminating tons of plastic bottles each year.and has multiple benefits compared to drinking bottled water.
In the United States, Canada, or UAE, there’s a tip for everything. And this hikes up to 20% of the bill. The bus boy carried your luggage? Drop him 20 bucks. Had your lunch at a diner? Leave the waitress the 10 dollar change. This system of gratuity has become a way for waiters, servers, and helpers earn their money, so it’s understandable that it is being enforced.
Australia, on the other hand, regards the stratospheric amounts of tipping as unnecessary, since minimum wage here is fairly high. In fact, it’s the highest in the world. Tipping used to be non-existent here, but since American tourists took a swing the land and enforced the practice, it has become part of an optional protocol.
UPDATE: This article was updated on May 15, 2017.
United Arab Emirates is one of the top destinations of expatriates and is now home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world. UAE is comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain, each one governed by an absolute monarch. Most migrants currently stay in Abu Dhabi, the capital, and in Dubai, the country’s most populous city.
If you are considering whether to migrate to UAE or Australia, we have compared the two countries to help you decide.
United Arab Emirates is the second largest economy in the Arab world, beyond Saudi Arabia. Although the country is heavily reliant in oil (with the exception of Dubai), it has highly diversified its economy, which currently included industries such as high-class tourism, automotive, aerospace, and international finance, among others. Inflation rate has increased to 3%, as of March 2017 while the unemployment rate has decreased to 3.69%, as of May 2017.
The salary level in UAE is similar to (or slightly greater) the amount offered by western countries. The huge difference is the absence of personal taxation in the country, making the net income much bigger. In addition, housing, car, and education provisions that were previously given are now being offered as cash packages. However, you would have to endure a 40 to 48-hour working time.
Australia’s federal structure allows it to focus on disparate economic sectors to support the country. Its economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. Australia’s inflation rate has risen to 2.1%. There has also been a slight increase in the unemployment rate which went from 5.7% to 5.9% this year.
The country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world. As for packages and fringe benefits, these may include company cars, mobile phones, laptops, and even utility bills.
Health care standards are regarded to be customarily high in the United Arab Emirates, with the country spending 3.6% of its gross domestic product on health care expenditures. However, health care currently is free only for UAE citizens.
In Abu Dhabi, comprehensive health insurance program was rolled out in 2006, which will have the costs to be shared between employers and employees. The capital city currently has 57 primary health care centers, 13 hospitals, 3 specialized dental centers, maternal and child health centers, one center for autism, and 5 specialized facilities like rehab, blood bank and herbal center.
Dubai, on the other hand, has the Dubai Healthcare City, a healthcare free zone that provides international-standard advanced private health care as well as quality medical education.
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare is the government’s universal health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Because of the harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates is centred on meat, grain, and dairy, and vegetables, as these ingredients are being used liberally. Traditional meats being used are chickens, goats, and other small fowls. Camels are eminently prized for their milk and transporting capabilities, so serving them as meat is being reserved for special occasions only. Currently, Emirati cuisine features influences from around the world.
Dining in UAE is seen as an opportunity to talk about business or work. It is best to follow the host, though. It is also important that you do not eat with your left hand, as their custom dictates. Tipping is ten percent over and above the service charge.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
Unlike in UAE, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work when dining, unless your host initiates the topic. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive straight to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Renting a house, specifically in Dubai, can be daunting. Rental contracts here are for a fixed term of one year from the start date. The landlord is obligated by law to offer the same term the following year with a few requirements, so it is best to read the contract carefully. Legally, it impossible to rent an apartment for long term basis without a valid residence visa. However, if you’re able to present a letter from your company stating that the visa is under process, the banks can allow you to open an account.
Most landlords will only accept payment in one to four checks. These checks are payable at the start of the contract and in the event that you have agreed to pay in more than one, the others are post-dated. In Dubai, checks are legally enforced bonds (more than just a method of payment), so there can be serious consequences if you are not able to cover the funds.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sport the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city where public housing is generally found in. They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates are located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rent is more affordable in rural than urban areas. The fee also decreases the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. The average rent fee is highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a an initial fee of two weeks’ rent for a one-year lease and one week’s rent for a six-month lease. These are the legal maximum fees. You are also expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, including a bond which is held against damages.
Private vehicles are widely utilised in the country due to the extensive and modern road network that connect the main coastal cities. The desert roads, however, are less developed. Driving licenses are accessible to anyone who are 18 years of age and above. Women with a valid driving license are permitted to drive, unlike in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Rail, the only commercially available railway network in the country, operates in Dubai. Buses can be found in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taxis also operate in the country, and managed by both government and private agencies.
Despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then bus. All Australian cities have reliable and affordable public bus networks and train lines. Taxi cabs also operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
If you want to learn more about the commuting etiquette in Australia, click here.
Because of its sandy landscape, the United Arab Emirates Climate sports extreme heat although it is cooler in the eastern mountains. Enjoying a sub-tropical climate, UAE weather is sunny all the year round. The months between June and September are the hottest. It is very hot during the day along with high humidity levels. In the coastal regions, it is quite discomfortingly humid.
The country’s minimum temperature is typically recorded during January, which is 12 degrees centigrade while the highest temperature record is during August with 39 degrees centigrade. Dubai usually enjoys a minimum rainfall of 23 millimeters in January and a maximum of 36 millimeters in December.
Due to its massive size, climate varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Advantages of Australian citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
Aside from the well-supported economy and great labour terms, the United Arab Emirates and Australia are worlds apart. The previous sports a middle-Eastern culture, has a desert climate, and uses Arabic language (though English is fairly common), the latter is more westernized, has a more temperate climate, and uses English as the mother tongue.
UAE, specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has no income tax, making earning opportunities here great. It also features higher real estate investment returns, as the country is a booming real estate heaven by now. Lastly, the two cities sport a modernized and even a futuristic façade. On the down side, the laws can be a bit of a shock, especially if you’re someone from the west, as the rules are governed by Islam, and democracy is quite limited. The cost of living and real estate can also be pricey.
Australia, on the other hand, is a more stable country, economically and culturally. It’s where modernity, old architecture, and natural sceneries converge. There is great democracy, and the people are laid back, warm, and friendly. On the flipside, the constantly changing weather can be a deal breaker. Travelling to other countries can be expensive and the travel time can be quite long since the country is geographically isolated from the world.
UPDATE: This article was updated on May 17, 2017.
Last 2015, Sweden made headlines when it announced that it will be adapting a gender-neutral pronoun, hen. Hen can be used as an alternative to han (he) and hon (she) for situations when gender in unknown or irrelevant. This step highlights Sweden’s emphasis towards gender equality, which the country is famous for, aside from the high standard of living, free day care education, and the irresistible Swedish meatballs.
If you are in the process of choosing a country to migrate to, read on to see whether Sweden or Australia is the best match for you.
Sweden is a well-designed mixed-economy whose performance and competence heavily hinges on export. Its main industries are motor vehicles, industrial machines, precision equipment, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, chemical goods, forestry, iron, steel, home goods and appliances, timber, hydropower, and iron ore.
As opposed to most European countries, there is no legal minimum wage in Sweden. Trade Unions and employers settle the salaries via collective bargaining. Although working hours are set by collective agreements and the Swedish Parliament limits it to 40 hours a week, the country enjoys one of the lowest working times in the world at 1,609 hours annually or 33.5 hours weekly.
Like Sweden, Australia is also one of the largest mixed market economies in the world. Its economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP.
But unlike Sweden, a legal minimum wage exists in the country as determined by the Minimum Wage Panel of the Fair Work Commission, and is deemed the highest in the world. Employers cannot violate a term of award or minimum wage order. The Fair Work Act 2009 mandates that an employer cannot force an employee to work more than 38 hours a week, unless for reasonable basis. Average working hours in Australia is around 1,664 hours annually or 34.7 hours weekly.
Sweden’s health care is mostly government funded, decentralized, and operates on three levels: national, regional and local. Costs for health and medical care accounts to generally 11% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The state finances the bulk of health care costs, with the patient paying only a small percentage of the fees.
Australia’s health care is two-tiered, the private health system and the Medicare for the public system. It is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance.
Medicare, the Australian government’s universal public health insurance scheme, provides residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Swedish cuisine is largely divided between North and South, as the two share many regional differences. One prominent example is that the north focuses on reindeer and semi-game meat while the south has fresh vegetables playing a larger role. Their food mostly concentrates on contrasting flavours, such as the famous Swedish meatballs being paired by tart cream sauce and pungent lingonberry jam.
The dining etiquette when discussing business is that you must wait for your Swedish business associates to initiate the conversation. When eating outside, waving or calling the waiter is considered disrespectful. Eye contacts will suffice. Dinners usually start with a toast and it is considered impolite to take a drink before the toast is done. If you are invited to a social gathering, it is expected of you to write or call the host the next day to express your gratitude.
Australian cuisine is a hybrid of native aboriginal ingenuity and British colonial influences, with a mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions contributed by the waves of post-colonial migrations. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Australia’s cuisine is exciting as it is unique. For some of its most amazing dishes, check it here.
In formal restaurants, you are expected to make reservations first and confirm. In informal dives, you might be expected to share a table. Be open to conversations when invited. Tipping is not required, but optional.
The country’s public housing, called Allmännyttigt bostadsföretag, is composed of flats controlled by the local council, and does not impose any income restrictions. 29.1% of the Swedish population live in rental houses.
In major cities, the housing market is quite competitive, and it takes time to find a place to rent. You may utilize any of the many websites in the country to find about the costs, locations, and availability of the houses, or you may sign the municipality waiting list (which can take years). Also, when it comes to first-hand contracts, it can be challenging to sign one without a Swedish personal identity number or a guaranteed income.
Costs of rental houses differ considerably depending on the region, city, neighbourhood, quality of a property, size (number of bedrooms), age, and the facilities provided.
Expectedly, rents are cheaper in rural than urban areas. It also decreases the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. Average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Letting agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a fee of two weeks’ rent for a one-year lease and one week’s rent for a six-month lease. These are the legal maximum fees. You are expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, in addition to that, there is also a bond which is held against damages.
For a quick, easy -to-follow-guide on how to rent in Australia, check it out here.
The metro system (called Tunnelbana or T-Bana) operates solely in Stockholm, the country’s capital. It is comprised of 100 stations servicing the entire city. The railway system runs country wide, and is operated by Swedish Railways. Local buses and trains in each city operate typically under the same ticketing system. This means you can purchase a ticket which can be used on both buses and trains. Regional buses also run in the country, and is cheaper to ride than trains. Taxis, on the other hand, can be booked by phone, taken from a taxi rank, or flagged in the streets. Taxis here often run on fixed prices rather than on a meter, so ask for the cost first before taking the ride.
A one-way train ticket here costs US$3.08, while a monthly pass is at around US$92.52. Starting taxi tariff is US$5.34 with US$1.61 for the first one kilometre. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back US$23,723.95. Gasoline is at US$1.59 for every litre.
Australia also has very efficient public transport system. However, driving is the most used mode of transport here, and this number continues to rise. Trains only come second, then walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then buses. All Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Proper etiquette must be observed as you take these transportations. Click here for the do’s and don’ts of Australia’s commute.
A one-way ticket here sets you back by US$2.96 while going for a monthly pass will increase it to US$96.96. A kilometre ride of taxi is US$1.62 with US$2.98 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you US$18,644.84 plus US$0.96 for every litre of gasoline.
The Gulf Stream influences Sweden’s climate. It is a warm ocean stream that flows off Norway’s west coast. In addition, the gulfs of Bothnia and the country’s many lakes give Sweden generally a relatively mild climate.
February is normally Sweden’s coldest month, with temperatures from – 22 to -3°C, while July temperatures average 13 to 17°C. In northern Sweden, winter temperatures often drop to -30°C, and sometimes it even goes lower. From December to April, snow covers the ground in southern Sweden. In northern Sweden, the first snowfall often lands in October. Most of the country is icebound during winter, but special icebreaking boats keep the major ports open.
Due to the massive land area, Australia goes through differing climates. This fact is characterized by the severely hot climate in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the continent to below zero in the Snowy Mountains in the south. Due to its size, it isn’t possible to have one seasonal calendar that covers the whole continent.
Depending upon where you are in the continent in a certain month, the seasons will vary. The weather may be defined by the temperate zone seasons or the tropical seasons. To find out more what is the climate and weather patterns in each of the states in the country, check our blog here.
Advantages to Swedish Citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
As far as economy, quality of life, political stability, education opportunities, and employment benefits, Sweden and Australia are both up there on the top. It all boils down to a matter of preference.
Sweden boasts of the European facade with its natural wonders and infrastructures. Also, it enjoys free day care and after school programs, snowy winters, and closer proximity to Europe and United States. However, English is not the official language here, so you would be challenged with the language barrier. In addition, the winter season can be extremely cold and barrelled by constant rain.
Australia, on the other hand, has a lot of sunshine year-round, enjoys low unemployment rate, and has a good standard of living. However, you would have to deal with the erratic weather pattern, and traveling to Europe, US, and most parts of the world can be a bane, since the country is quite distant geographically, and the trip takes a while.
Commuting in Australia is fast, efficient, and peaceful. But sometimes it will be disrupted by blokes who will suddenly stop dead along the way (for reasons only known to them and God), blocking the traffic of people; or the ones that will read your text messages over your shoulders, seemingly (and creepily) interested on your dating life.
Here are your quick do's and don'ts of commuting etiquette, so you can make taking the bus and trains more convenient for you and other people.
Nothing is more exasperating than a person who stops in the middle of the line to dig through his/her bag for the train pass, money, or ticket. Don’t be that person. Place your commuting essentials in a more accessible pocket so you can get retrieve them quickly. That five second delay you made could make the person behind you miss the train.
Engaging random strangers in a friendly chat is a norm in Australia. Be sure you follow that when you commute here. Sure, those Facebook feeds won't be be read themselves, but they can wait. Do not shut off people when they try to talk to you. Answer an inquiry or two before going back to the digital world, or whatever it is that you’re doing.
Conversely enough, just because you are bored doesn’t mean you can engage random people in a ten-question interview. Ask no more than two questions and if they give you a quick one-word answer, that’s a sign you need to stop there. They’re probably busy or doesn’t want to be bothered, and that’s perfectly normal. Also, quit reading the book or text messages over their shoulders. That’s kind of creepy.
Conversations, whether with your mates, strangers, or someone over the phone are welcomed, as long as you keep the volume low. Nobody else in the bus or train wants to know that you finally dated the cute guy/girl from the office. Keep it toned down. Some of the people there are trying to read, get a quick nap, or just enjoy a silent commute. Be considerable.
We understand some women are asking for equality now and giving them a seat could mean a raised eye-brow from them. But chivalry should not be dead when it comes to pregnant ladies, elderly people, small children, and disable folks. DO give them your seat. You will be/have been sitting on your office desk for eight hours. Give your thighs some workout by standing for these people.
Trains and buses are sealed and tightly packed, making them the best place for a virus to spread. Be a responsible citizen and stop this from happening. If you commute with a case of sniffles, bring a handkerchief or tissues with you to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. This way you can avoid both spreading your cold and receiving eye daggers.
The commute to and from work is challenging enough, don’t try to make this more discomforting for fellow commuters by failing to shower and/or wear deodorant. Be aware of your body odor. Be sure you always smell good. But not too good. Showering yourself on your perfume is not welcoming either. If the person ten spaces away knows you’re wearing Bulgari, time to hold back on your cologne.
Science and spirituality still have yet to discover why some people have the propensity to clog bus and train doorways. It does not offer any benefits whatsoever, only pain and possible altercations. It slows down the movement of people in/out of the train, and it puts the blockers on danger of getting injured by the wave of people rushing in/out. Get to the back of the train or bus once entered where it is less congested. Do the same thing when you are stepping into the train or bus. Let the passengers exit first. Hoping in immediately will just make the inside more crowded, slowing everything in the process.
Conversely…
Do not shove people aside when getting in or off the train or bus. We understand you are in hurry, but pushing people is just rude and may cause injury and/or altercations, which will incur longer delays in the process. If you really want to make it in time, try to leave the house 15 minutes earlier than the usual. It’s more helpful.
We’ve all been there. Putting ourselves in the most awkward and uncomfortable standing positions just because the guy behind us boarded the train with a backpack big enough to fit two people inside. When you carry oversized luggage like these, be mindful of the space you cover. Place your bags between your legs, NOT beside them, so people won’t trip on them. Also, be careful when moving around. These things can seriously hurt if they hit anybody.
You don’t want to sit on a cream-filled leftover donut or hold on to a railing greased with mayonnaise or catchups. So be sure to pick up after yourself when you board the train or bus. Trash bins are placed inside stations so there’s no reason for you to leave cups and wrappers around. Also, do not vandalize on them. When trains and buses are defaced, they get decommissioned for repairs. And you have now lesser vehicles circulating to take you to work on time.