Making expats happier
www.GlobeDweller.com launched 1.1.2010 is an international website dedicated to helping expats -- and help them help others. The site connects expats in different countries, but also connects expats with the local population.

The idea behind the site is simple. By allowing people to create profiles listing countries in which they have lived other people, perhaps planning to go to these countries themselves, can contact the experienced members through means decided by the member providing the help. This will make it easier to transition and can also be the foundation of new friendships.

Thomas Hesselberg, a Danish scientist living in England and co-founder of www.GlobeDweller.com explains, "I've lived in different countries myself and know how much easier the transition could have been if I had know someone locally before arriving. That is my motivation, to make it easier for those coming after me."

Thomas started building the site in his spare time together with Danish Science Journalist Lennart Kiil, himself an expat at the time, almost three years ago.

From expat to globedweller

www.GlobeDweller.com is more than a social site for expats, though. The fundamental ambition of Thomas and Lennart is to make the real lives of expats better by giving them the tools to become "globe dwellers".

Lennart elaborates on this point, "Expats are often isolated in their new countries living in clusters, almost colonies. Brits together, Scandinavians together, Germans together in small enclaves. This may give them a sense of security, but really it mostly cuts them of from taking part in the real life of their new host country, isolating them from its culture and all that it has to offer."

"It's also possible to just meet other expats in your new area - of your own nationality or otherwise. Really, the possibilities are endless. Just sign up and see for yourself!" ads Thomas with a small grin.

The future

The plan is to let www.GlobeDweller.com grow organically for some time. Take in as many members as possible - membership is completely free - over the next year. During this time the site will also be looking for partner sites and sponsors and be expanding its functionality.

What will happen in the longer run is difficult to say, but Thomas is not afraid to present his vision with a big grin:

"In five years the word "Globe Dweller" will be found in dictionaries and on everybody's lips in the international community. The time has come for expats to take the next step, venture beyond their self-imposed constraints and live bigger lives - as globe dwellers!"