On behalf of the Clements team, our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Not only have we received and processed numerous claims for our clients in Haiti, but several members of our staff also have family there, so we truly understand the personal and financial hardships caused by this natural disaster.

These are the times when insurance can come to the rescue and we’re honored to serve our clients in Haiti. This situation reinforces the importance of selecting an international insurance provider while you’re living and working abroad.

Two points to consider:

1) Your personal property coverage allows you to assign value to your belongings in the event that they are lost or damaged. It’s critical to periodically update your scheduled and unscheduled coverage as you make significant purchases to ensure you’re fully protected and receive the full value of your items should the unexpected occur.

2) There is a distinct advantage to having an insurance provider that is located outside of your host country. In the event of a natural disaster, political violence or other catastrophic event, your policy and the people administering it are at a safe distance. For this reason, Clements was able to process and settle claims quickly as opposed to local insurance providers whose businesses were likely suspended or nonoperational.

Clements salutes the individuals and organizations working in Haiti on the relief and rebuilding efforts. To our clients in Haiti and around the world, we’re here for you. You have our word.

Labels: Clements International, expatriate insurance, Expatriates, Expats, Haiti, insurance, international auto insurance, International Insurance, International Organizations, personal property insurance

Clements International is now accepting submissions for its 2nd annual scholarship program for expatriate students. Clements will award $10,000 in scholarships to six students who best answer the question, “Where would you go in your flying house?”

Labels: Clements, Clements International, expat families, expat youth, expat youth scholarship, Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats

As part of Clements International’s ongoing community involvement, the company sponsored the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Community Service Awards once again this year. The awards honor outstanding U.S. Foreign Service youth who have served their community either at home or abroad while tackling the challenges of growing up all over the world.

The contest was open to all U.S. Foreign Service youth and teens, and the winners were honored on Friday, July 17 at an awards ceremony at the U.S. Department of State, hosted by the Foreign Liaison Office. Two first place winners each received a $1,500 savings bond. Vice President Tom Lentz attended the ceremony to honor this year’s recipients:

Labels: American Foreign Service, Clements, Clements International, community service, expat families, expat youth, Expatriates, Foreign Service, Foreign Service Youth Foundation, Tom Lentz

Clements is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Community Service Awards. The awards honor outstanding U.S. Foreign Service youth who have served their community either at home or abroad while tackling the challenges of growing up all over the world.

The contest is open to all U.S. Foreign Service youth and teens, and the winners will be honored at an awards ceremony hosted by the Foreign Liaison Office in Washington, D.C. in July 2009. Two first place winners will each receive a $1,500 savings bond. The deadline for entries is April 24, 2009.

For more information about the FSYF Community Service Awards or to download application materials, click here: http://www.fsyf.org/pdfs/Community_Service_Award.pdf

Labels: award, community, community service, expat families, Expatriates, Foreign Service, Foreign Service Youth Foundation

Clements International is now accepting submissions for its first expatriate youth scholarship competition. Clements will award $10,000 in scholarships to six students who use words and creative media to illustrate life as an expatriate.

The theme of the 2009 Clements International Expat Youth Scholarship is “Life in a Flying House,” inspired by the idea that students who spend their childhoods moving between different countries and cultures acquire unique life experiences.

Each scholarship entry must include an essay of 500 words or more describing how his or her life has been affected by living as an expatriate, accompanied by some form of creative media that supports the essay topic, such as photographs, illustrations, paintings or video. Students between the ages of 12-18 of any nationality who have spent at least two years living outside their home countries are encouraged to apply. All entries are due by May 15 and the winners will be announced in mid-September.

For more information about the scholarship and to submit entries, visit http://www.expatyouthscholarship.com/.

Labels: Clements, Clements International, expat youth scholarship, Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, Scholarship

Expatriates well know that their experiences abroad have helped shape a rich view of the world and cultures beyond their home country. President Obama kept that in mind while appointing his top aides. A recent article in Newsweek discusses the expatriate lives of his recently appointed staff. A link to the full article follows:

A Team of Expatriates
Many of Obama's top advisers, like an increasing number of Americans, have learned and lived abroad....

Labels: Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, obama, washington dc

A new website and media outlet, the Global Post, is poised to offer international news coverage with the help of expatriates and others living abroad. The site was created in part by Charles Sennott, a veteran of the Boston Globe’s foreign desk.


The Global Post is staffed by seven editors — including Sennott — and seven business staffers in Boston. It, however, has a large network of global correspondents — 70 in 53 countries, to be exact. This new site will launch on January 12, 2009. The Global Post plans to work with foreign correspondents who are already living abroad and working on other projects.



A interview with Charles Sennot is available here or visit the site for today's news.

Labels: AOL news, charles sennott, Expatriate, expatriate newsletter, Expatriates, global post, international coverage

Following Tuesday's election of Barrack Obama as the president elect, reaction from around the world is hitting the media. A recent article on AOL news presents two interesting poll questions...

Do you think Barack Obama's election as president somehow makes America cool?

and

Do you care what other countries think of the United States?

As of this posting the majority of people participating in the poll feel that Obama's election makes America cool and definitively care what other countries think of the U.S.

For the full article and poll results, visit AOL News.

Labels: AOL news, Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, vote, voting

Following the successful "I am not a tourist" welcome fair in Amsterdam, two organizations have developed short videos covering the event. Both organizations focus on providing local information to expatriates moving to the Netherlands.

The first was produced by XM magazine, a monthly magazine published in English that focuses current events and culture.



The second video is produced by Expat.nl, an unique website that provides English spoken videos and practical information on a wide range of topics that all expats and family members must deal with in their move to the Netherlands.

Enjoy.

Michael

Labels: Amsterdam, Expatica, Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, exptnl, welcome fair, xm magazine

Following our recent post on the best places to be living as an expatriate, we
thought it would be relevant to discuss another recent survey which presents the most expensive places to be an expatriate.

Moscow remains the most expensive city to be living as an expatriate for the third straight year.


Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to be an Expatriate
1. Moscow
2. Tokyo
3. London
4. Oslo
5. Seoul
6. Hong Kong
7. Copenhagen
8.Geneva
9. Zurich
10. Milan

This cost of living survey is conducted annually by Mercer. Mercer surveys expatriate employees in 143 cities measuring the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

To see how your city ranks, visit the full survey summary.

Labels: Expatriate, Expatriates, Expats, International Organizations

Clements International may be traveling to a city near you in October! Clements is participating is Expatica’s “I am not a tourist” Fair in Amsterdam at the Beurs van Berlage on October 12. Expatica.com is an online community, which offers news, features and resources to expatriates. You can order your free tickets here or purchase them at the door for 10€.

The following weekend, it’s on to Brussels, where you can find us at the Welcome Fair at Autoworld on October 18 and 19. This event is free. For more information, visit http://www.welcomefair.be/.

Stop by these expat fairs to hear more about unique services, organizations, and clubs available for you. We hope to see you there!

Labels: Amsterdam, Brussels, Clements, Expatriates, welcome fair

Clements International was recently featured as one of the "Worlds Greatest" Insurance Agencies. Our feature highlights the unique insurance programs Clements has developed to meet the needs of expatriates, international schools, and organizations operating in high risk areas of the world.

Labels: Expatriates, Foreign Service, International Insurance, International Organizations, War Risk Insurance

(Washington D.C.) Each year the Clements International Award for Community Service is given to teenage members of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) “who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the community and service to their peers.” This year’s winners included Lucinda Joi Chu-Ketterer, 13 posted with her parents in Beijing, China and Alissa and Sarah Jones, 16 and 14, living at a Foreign Service post in Gaborone, Botswana.

The Clements International Award was presented on Tuesday July 8 in the Benjamin Franklin Room at State Department. Chris Beck, Clements International Senior Vice President was on hand to present the award.

“The young people who have received the Clements Award are truly remarkable, showing great generosity and compassion along with creativity and dedication to see each of their projects to fruition,” said Chris Beck.

About Foreign Service Youth Foundation
The Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1989 to inform, assist and advocate for Foreign Service Youth and their families in the Washington, DC area and around the world.

Winners of The 2008 Clements International Foreign Service Youth Foundation Award for Community Service (direct link)

Labels: Expatriates, Foreign Service, Foreign Service Youth Foundation