Index
For Volume Three - Issue Number Seven - June 2001
 Teaching
English in the lazy paradise of Crete - Click
Here - Escapeartist Christopher Deliso writes, "When I came to Crete
to live I had no idea how different it would be from the rest of Greece.
While I had traveled widely in Greece, and had many Greek friends,
I had never met a Cretan. I was warned by the mainlander Greeks
that Cretans were a little bit dangerous -- ornery, quarrelsome, vindictive
and boorish. Happily, these stereotypes weren’t true at all -- rather,
the people I met during the course of a year were, like my kindly
hosts near Amari, very friendly, curious, and hospitable. The relaxed Cretan
lifestyle is well-geared towards those who enjoy sipping coffee in an outdoor
café as the hours lazily pass, or sleeping in the shade of
a palm beach."
Henshaw
in Quito - Click
Here - Expat Vernon Henshaw and his wife Lorna moved to Quito, Ecuador,
in 1999. Prices have risen, but the cost advantages are still real and
there's that sense of freedom he has. Vernon writes, "We found our
new home for about $22,000. A house like ours (2000 sq. ft. in a gated
community) will cost about $50 - 60,000 today, but prices are still cheap
compared with living in the USA. Our property tax: $38.60, registration
of our used car: $18.00; monthly electric bill: $3.50; monthly gas bill:
$2.50. Gasoline costs $1.00 per gallon. Our maid costs $3.50
per day (3 days each week, and she's a great cook). Most of all, I love
Ecuador because of the freedom I feel. I can do essentially anything
I want to, without having to negotiate a plethora of rules and restrictions.
I can make changes to my house without a building permit; I can put in
all the glass I want without violating a building code."
Financing
an Escape from the Rate Race: My Move to Morelia - Click
Here - Sandy Caputo looked at the horizon and decided to take the risk.
She did and she succeeded in finding a niche for herself in Morelia, Mexico..
Sandy writes, "Newly divorced and with a very tiny nest egg, I sat there
by that pool in Morelia and began toying with the idea that I could, if
I was careful and brave enough, risk walking away from security to gamble
on making life work for me on a saner and more personally fulfilling scale.
So I bit the bullet a year later, resigned my position, cancelled plans
to return to the agency somewhere down the road, and dropped that dream-strangling
hold that relying on U.S.-supplied health and medical security had become.
I now have my novel AND a half-way completed book called Shortcut to Morelia
with a major publisher. I also consult for my agency and my living expenses
are being covered nicely under that arrangement at about one-fourth the
number of hours I was previously putting in."
Resources
for the Japanese Job Market - Click
Here - CEO Richard Bysouth of Career Cross
Japan, tells
Escape from America readers about the ins and outs of where to look for
Japan's job vacancies and what it's like in the Japanese workplace. Richard
writes, "The typical Japanese worker tends to view the use of time rather
differently then a western one. With the western approach, emphasis is
placed on completing a task in the most efficient manner and within the
shortest time possible. For the Japanese, it is considered more important
for the whole team to work together to accomplish a goal. Each individual
will know the limit of their responsibilities and what is expected of them,
and will work selfishly to complete that task in hand. The concept
of "thinking out of the box" or looking for a quick result are very rare
indeed and are often frowned upon. However the Japanese approach does ensure
the end result will be something that is unanimously acceptable to all
and is as complete as possible." |
.
"The
illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Alvin Toffler
.
 he
woman's Bugatti EB 16/4 "Veyron" slid to a stop at the corner opposite
the East End Diner. The woman recognized a familiar face huddled in the
shadows, a face now ravaged by travel down a single path, without diversion,
without choice, without change.
 etaphysical
urgings awoke the eyes in the shadows, and they rose to meet hers. Memories
of vibrant days electrified the mist between them, and suddenly the marching
stopped. At last, the two were one, again.
hen
the eyes remembered what had been learned and sank again in a blank stare
to the pavement below. The shadows became a rampart, and the mist turned
to a deafening roar.
he
woman diverted her longings to the road ahead and fishtailed the Bugatti
back into traffic. Take the off ramp to JFK ... fifteen minutes to catch
the Concord, she mused. Twenty pounds of twenties, two tickets to Rio,
and she'd be traveling alone.
learn,
unlearn, relearn.
.
 |
|
|
|
For
Love of Medicine - Click
Here - Lev Fedyniak is fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a
medical doctor, but like many, she's attending a university outside the
US. Lev writes, "I followed the traditional route to try to get into med
school: college with a pre-med major, the Medical College Admissions Test
(MCAT), lots of extra-curricular and community activities. While my grades
and scores were above average, they weren’t “superior.” Lastly, I
lacked the tacit factors that could swing an admission -- no family member
who was a doctor, not rich, and I lacked political or other influence.
I’m not even sure where I’d have gotten the money to afford going! Then,
I discovered a medical university where the annual tuition is $3,500, where
classes are taught in English, where the MCAT isn’t required and where
my age wasn’t considered a liability, but an asset. Upon graduation, I
can sit for the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) to practice in the States.
The University is in Ukraine, at Lviv State Medical University. This program
was “just what the doctor ordered."
Grad
Schools in Thailand - Click
Here - Scott Hipsher is an English Teacher attending Bangkok University
enrolled in their MBA program. Scott tells Escape from America readers
how an MBA degree from an Asian university can increase your value on the
labor market in the USA and Europe. He provides a partial list of schools
and programs in Thailand, and restricted the list to graduate level programs
taught in English. He writes, "Many of the same universities also offer
undergraduate programs in English." Hyperlinks to several university websites
accompany this article.
Exploring
the Wild Rivers of Southeast Asia - Click
Here - Harold Stephens returns to Escape from America Magazine with
stories of high adventure and discovery. Stephens writes, "At the opposite
extreme of the Chao Phraya River in Thailand is the Rejang River in Borneo.
The Rejang is a wild river where fierce headhunters once roamed. The Rejang
River to this day spells adventure. When I set out to explore the headwaters,
my plan was to hire longboats in Kapit, the last outpost on the Rejang,
and travel up river to where the Rejang meets the Balleh River. I would
then follow the Balleh to its very source, leave boat and there hire porters,
and cross into Kalimantan in Indonesia. That was my plan, but it didn't
work out quite that way."
All
aboard the Singapore-Malacca Express - Click
Here - Tim Jellings is a travel writer with stories of wierd adventures
from around the varied parts of the world. His keen sense of observation
is a one of a kind. Tim writes, "My eyes catch each humorous shop name;
like Bang on, Hang On, See Fun, Fun Fatt Kok. The local spelling of Talipon
for telephone, Bas sekolal for school bus and Buk for book also brings
a smile. Outside the Chinese temple, in the early morning, I see a man
standing outside with a burning joss stick clamped between the hands. In
silent prayer he asks for evil to be kept away. Not one word or even a
glance. A youth dressed only in pyjama trousers is graffiting the posters
in green and red paint. He is observed by a very old man, who never stirs
and sits crossed legged, silently absorbing the young man's artistry."
|
Investing,
Business & Real Estate
|
|
The
non-resident Canadian Canadian - Click
Here - Last month, Escape from America Magazine told about taxes for
US citizens working abroad. Canadians have it even better. Tax policies
derived from British Commonwealth Laws allow Canadian citizens to receive
non-resident status and enjoy no taxes levied obn capital gains and interest
accrued outside of Canada. Non-resident Canadian Sam Barsoumian writes,
"Unlike US citizens who are forever doomed to file annual taxes, Canadian
citizens can elect to become non-residents and forever bid Canada Customs
and Revenue Agency farewell. By taking residency in just about any country
other than the US, capital gains and interest generated outside of Canada
ceases to attract any tax whatsoever. Apart from the tax advantages, taking
up residency in other countries allows Canadians to live in a climate of
their own choosing and experience a better quality of life for comparatively
the same amount of Canadian living expenses. In many cases, the cost of
living is far less depending on their choice of country and spending habits."
How
to Legally Protect Your Assets - Click
Here - David Tanzer is a lawyer in Vail, Colorado, limiting his practice
to asset protection planning. He is also the author of a new book and video
package entitled, How to Legally Protect Your Assets. David writes,
"Once you have removed yourself from the tax and privacy concerns you have,
you can in many jurisdictions around the world live tax free, in relative
privacy without onerous reporting burdens or concerns of litigants trying
to remove your money from you. Expatriation can offer you the best of all
worlds and an exotic lifestyle. Your Choice of Paradise For some individuals,
and maybe you are one of them, picking up and leaving the US, whether as
a US citizen living abroad earning tax free income from a foreign source,
or going the final distance as an expatriate, can offer an exciting challenge
to your life."
How
To Prevent Being a Victim Identity Theft -
Click Here
- Brad Fields is a top financial consultant with Opportunities Abroad who
has dedicated several years to intensely reviewing top international tax
havens, privacy tactics, luxurious lifestyle destinations, offshore banking
laws, and overseas real estate bargains. Brad writes, "Generally speaking,
identity theft is a whole range of crimes that runs from stealing credit
card numbers to concocting phony personas, complete with credit reports
and college degrees. The scariest thing about identity theft is that it
can happen without your knowledge, it can continue for months before you
(or anyone) finds out, and it can cost you an enormous amount of money,
time, and stress to correct once you realize there's a problem. This article
lists common frauds stemming from ID theft; lists several ways identity
thieves can steel your identity; what you can do to prevent identity theft;
and what you should do if you're a victim.
MiraMar
Offshore Convention, Panama City, Republic of Panama, September 13 -17-Click
Here - Spend a wonderful 5-day working vacation in the heart of Panama
City side the Panama Canal. Learn from the leading professionals
on offshore financial planning and international investing on how to protect
your estate and earn higher interest rates on your money than ever experienced
before. This five-day getaway is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression
on you. Speakers to include: Carlos Varela ~ Panamanian Attorney,
focusing on Panamanian Corporate Law, IBC’s, & Foundations; Richard
Kilborn ~ focusing on offshore asset protection and financial planning
as well as Panamanian Residency; Alex De Janon ~ General Manager
of Sterling Financial Group corresponded with Bear Stearns & Company;
John
Haines ~ Director of Fortress Management discussing investment in Real
estate here in Panama; Gary Bustin ~ Canadian CPA discussing certain
tax issues in Canada.
|
Classified
Advertisements
|
|
Success
Story Continues! - Click
Here - Due to popular demand we are now posting Classified
Advertisements in this and all future issues of Escape From America Magazine.
We wanted to create a low cost way for EscapeArtists to advertise, and
for other EscapeArtists to make contact with their services, products,
ideas, real estate and escape routes. For those of us who spent countless
hours peering through the classified sections of magazines like Mechanics
Illustrated or similar classified sections, a classified section is like
looking through a collectable store for those surprises that make the hunt
a pleasure as great the discovery. This is the fifth issue featuring the
classified. If reader feedback is any indication the classifieds
are a resounding success.
Now
an even more interactive magazine - Click
Here - Escape from America Magazine cordially invites readers to send
their comments and suggestions in the form of praise or criticism to the
editor of the magazine. Each page of the magazine is linked to a
form page where readers can easily express their thoughts, thusly providing
insightful feedback to the magazine staff. Letters can also be shared
with other readers if the sender so desires. The form page allows
readers to choose whether or not they wish their letter to be included
in the magazine with or without their name and email address. The
Letters to the Editor page will be updated daily, so you will be able to
see your letter within the pages of Escape from America Magazine no later
than the day after it is submitted. Your comments will provide us
with the valuable information needed to make Escape from America Magazine
even better and also provide you with the best information available to
help you make your escape to great adventure, unique travel, and residence
abroad.
| The
Perfect Expat Destination ~ The reason people are moving to Boquete
is obvious. It is the perfect expat destination. We've never had wider
response to any subject, issue, or place than we've had to Boquete, Panama.
Because of the amazing demand - over 3,000 people have requested information
from us in the month of April alone - we are creating a Boquete visitors'
package which includes discount coupons, maps, contacts, traveling information,
reservations, tours of the area, and a great deal more. |
|
.
New
- Exotic Real Estate Around The World - Click
Here - Our new section on exotic real estate is online now. Escapeartist.com
now has a fully detailed website for your property listing with a simple,
unique URL that you can give to people, submit to search engines and other
classified sites, place in your newspaper and magazine ads, or any promotional
campaign. Listing is free for six months. Buyers, search for your escape
haven now! What will you find here? Bargain real estate, discovery
property, property that isn't in the mainstream press, enclaves where the
living is easy, the ambiance exciting, the environment safe and the property
a bargain.
Submit
an Article - Click
Here - Living Overseas? Tell us about it! Running a hamburger
stand in Tegucigalpa? We can assure you that our readers want to
know about what you're doing! We want articles from anyone living
an usual lifestyle. What we're looking for are ideas, not Pulitzer Prize
writers. Ideas are what fuel our magazine, and our website. You don't have
to be a professional writer to submit an article - especially if you've
walked the walk. Send us your article ideas, we are very interested in
hearing from you. We are currently seeking articles on living overseas,
jobs overseas, those who've started overseas businesses, worked overseas
as a telecommuter, internet businesses and on the subject of offshore
investing. We are also seeking articles by those who have invested
offshore who will share their experiences, both positive and negative.
Anonymous bylines are okay. We are seeking articles from those who
have been successful at starting and running businesses abroad or on-line
from overseas locations. We're continually looking for articles on overseas
living lifestyles - let us hear from you.
Send
This Webpage to a Friend - Click
Here - Isn't it time you've helped your friends find escape?
Back
Issues - Click
Here - Peruse over 20 back issues of Escape from America Magazine
for a long list of articles related to living and working abroad, investing
overseas, unique travel, real estate opportunities, commentary, and much,
much more to help you find your way to a new and exciting life abroad. |
.