Required reading before moving to Brazil
342094
A bit rushed at the end, and missing several topics about daily life in Brazil, but still really useful for anyone thinking about relocating to Brazil, as it will help avoid mistakes when dealing with the crazy bureocracy, and settle for reasonable expectations.
3989989
For those considering the expat life, this book is a perfect introduction of what to expect with great advice on how to manage any challenges that might arise along the way. I wish this book was around when my family began our journey living abroad. I will be sharing Unpack: A Guide to Life as an Expat Spouse with expat newbies.
3962921
Fodor's Brazil travel guide is a good guide for Rio and Sao Paulo, but not very comprehensive in the other 95% of Brazil.  I would recommend Lonely Planet's Brazil guide if you are looking for much coverage outside of these two cities.
3208363
A very good book to go through before an elective in a tropical country. Give practical information about what to expect, and how to handle it
123600
This book is great. It was a indispensible help throught my journeys in South America as it covers almost all situations you can find yourself in to. From finding your missing luggage at the airport, to clarifying a  restaurants menu or how to ask for an aspirin, surely this book is not to  miss!
4768267
I found my own beautiful wife in the Philippines before I read Elterman's book, so I can't say he helped me realize my fondest dream, but having gone through the process and visited that country five times for 3-4 weeks per visit I can personally attest to the reliability of much of the information and opinion the author provides. I can't vouch for all of it because I did not choose to become an expat and live in the Philippines, as Elterman did, but there's plenty of good material in this book for any man interested in meeting and marrying a Filipina, and it's also likely to help him decide whether or not he wants to move to her country. Furthermore, the author doesn't try to hide the warts, particularly the types of scams some girls will try to pull. Elterman goes into much detail on the useful starting point of searching for Filipinas on the Internet and he goes on to cover many other subjects. His writing style is breezy and conversational, some grammatical errors notwithstanding. Because Elterman didn't have to cope with getting his wife through the somewhat tricky US immigration process, that important information is missing from his book.  I have written a somewhat similar book describing my wife-hunting experiences in both the Philippines and Thailand. It's titled "How to Meet a Lovely Asian Girl ... and Bring Her Home!" and it has considerable detail, including our own experiences, in dealing with the eccentric immigration bureaucracy. The book is available through Amazon.
162401
This book is long out of print and was published in the 1970's but it remains helpful and on target for understanding cultural differences and potential cultural misunderstandings.  I say this because both a co-worker who moved to the U.S permanently from Brazil following her experience as a U.S. exchange student AND a Brazilian gal we welcomed into our home as an au pair said the book was one that Americans should read before sharing lives with a Brazilian.  That said, it may also be a great asset to au pair agency directors, university professors and ESL teachers.
3113455
What Foreigners Need to Know About America from A to Z by Lance Johnson, a second generation United States citizen, has so much information in its 614 pages that anyone coming to our shores should find what they need to prevent cultural gaffs and language boo boos. They can discover ways to find jobs, open businesses and make friends in their new country, America.

Johnson is a world traveler. He knows what it's like to get along in other cultures. It was his travel, and the comments from those wanting to move to the United States, which made him notice what an important resource What Foreigners Need to Know could be. He has done the world a great service by the wonderful compilation of information he has gathered in this book to help others find their way around.

The paperback is divided into four sections:

* Section One: America's Heritage: the historical background of why America became what it is today - government, the American Dream, standard of living, etc.

* Section Two: America's Culture: How we conduct our live - etiquette, literature, movies and much more.

* Section Three: America's Business: Our business environment, customs and operations.

* Section Four: America's Language: Practical ways to improve English grammar, usage, writing, speech and communications skills. How not to embarrass yourself using an incorrect word.

Each one of these sections may be read individually or as the need arises. However, the entire book is so well thought out that I can't see why anyone would want to skip over anything Johnson has put together.

People moving to America have needed a book like this for many years. Thankfully, it has arrived.
4727639
Maps would have been very helpful. Otherwise, well written. Do you know where Recife is? Or the Plate River? I thought so.
2072495
What a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica.  The descriptions painted a beautiful landscape of the country even without the colorful pictures included in the book.  The book is laid out in an easy to read format and flows effortlessly from one subject to the next.  Read this even if you are only visiting Costa Rica.  Definitely read it if you are remotely considering a move to the Central American country.  I wish it had been available before our trip to the country a few years ago.  It will be a must have reference for our next trip.  Pura Vida!!
1109942
Whether you are only just learning about Costa Rica and want to know more about living there or have visited the country several times, have packed everything you think you'll need for a comfortable move and have a seat reserved on the next flight out, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK before going any further.

I have been planning on retiring in Costa Rica for the past three years and have researched, read and evaluated everything I could get my hands on about the place. Had I read this book first, I could have saved a significant amount of time and effort. Ms. Brink offers insightful observations of the country, the people and the culture gained from personal experience and from a broad range of views provided by others. The reader is given specific guidelines for successfully handling most major issues facing a relocation to Costa Rica while, at the same time, is allowed a general appreciation of the good, the bad and the ugly of such a move.

Other sources may provide additional background information for a trip to Costa Rica but, from all that I have discovered, no one does it better assuring a soft landing in paradise than Ms. Brink.
2637604
Really enjoyed this book - an insightful look at Brazil from an economic, political and sociological lens. Drew an excellent map of how and why modern Brazil exists and acts as it does. If you have any interest in learning such things, read this book!
834169
We are looking to migrate to Australia and wanted to do our research.  This book gives practical information on everything from visas to schools to jobs.  It gives lots of useful facts that will help anyone looking to move to Australia - such as your drivers license is generally accepted for up to one year, you don't have to get a new one until then!  Info on car insurance, cable and phone companies, bus routes, ferry service, PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES!  This is THE book to get if you are going to be moving to Australia or visiting long term.  Hands down.
870937
'Brazilian politics' is a well-documented and well-referenced book on the history, political culture and the state institutions of Brazil. It will surely give you a better understanding of what underlies one of the most rapidly growing powers in the world.

When it comes to Brazil's political and institutional culture, the book is certainly opinionated - no misplaced political correctness here. This only helps to get a good understanding of the country. The result, however, is that the book is basically about Brazil's problems and difficulties, inherited from a turbulent past, rather than a book on a rising power on the world stage and the multitude of political and economic opportunities that lay before it. Recent actions of Brazil on the world stage are discussed, but, to name one example, precious few words are spent on Brazil's energy richess. Expect a critical analysis, not a fan book.

Thorough and well-referenced as it is, the book can definitely pass as a good academic work, yet it is quite concise and readable (but do not confuse that with an 'easy read' for on the beach of Rio de Janeiro, this it is not). It seems better suited as an 'introduction to Brazil' for the very interested novice, rather than as a reference or deepening work for someone who already is familiar with the country and its institutions.
2464461
This is a stunningly well written book on Brazil from the perspective of a "Carioca," a native from Rio de Janeiro - but with an international perspective. Juliana's fresh look created a unique and accurate vision of Brazil 2015, and why it is what it is now. This is a must read for anyone who lives, lived or loves Brazil. It is also a historical document that lays out the play of titanic forces that may pitch one of the largest and richest global economies into chaos, or redemption.
2735551
I had already decided to move my family (myself, husband, 1-yr old and 4-yr old) to Latin America before I found this book. I wondered if it was worth purchasing this late in the phase. It was well worth the money.

In fact, I wish that I had bought the book before announcing our move to our friends and family. I wish that I had read Frost's response to the question, "Aren't you worried about your kids safety?" I now have a good response, if asked again. And I also have a good explanation for why this is better, not worse, for my kids education.

Even as someone who already lived almost five years internationally, Frost had wonderful insights. She shows her good instinct and also great research to back it up in this book. I am now recommending this book to all of my friends - including those who have very young children. It is never to early to begin thinking about a global education for your kids.
1625851
I was so glad to find this book on Amazon-dot-come and to purchase it as a gift for an exchange student from Brazil. I was quite surprised to learn Brazilians do not know much about their own rainforest, let alone have ecological and environmental concerns about the area and the endangered animals. My student was delighted to receive the book, which he planned to share with his younger brother and sister. The book is beautiful and informative, and the fold-out pages show a wide range of the rainforest and its inhabitants. I would recommend this book very highly. I also found the book to be very reasonably priced and in very good condition for a used book on Amazon-dot-com.