Research FAQs

At the EAC, an expatriate is defined as someone who resides temporarily in a country other than their home country. This definition encompasses a wide range of individuals, including Third Culture Kids, Cross Culture Kids, global nomads, foreigners, internationals, migrants, knowledge migrants, international assignees, transferees, exchange students, accompanying partners, repatriates, and returnees. We also recognise that some individuals may not fit neatly into these categories or may prefer to use different terms - or none at all - to describe their experiences, and we welcome their stories as well.

The EAC collection preserves the life stories of expatriates in various formats, including letters, diaries, blogs, photographs, videos, and other documents. In addition, we collect materials from organisations founded by expatriates to support expatriate communities. To complement our collection of expatriate life stories, we maintain a library featuring periodicals, expatriate memoirs, relocation guides, academic studies, and more. For specific examples and further details, please refer to our Collecting Policy.

The EAC collection encompasses the life stories of expatriates from the late 19th century to the present day.

Our collection currently contains materials in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, Frisian, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Malay, Norwegian, Papiamento, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, and Turkish.

The EAC collection provides valuable resources for researchers exploring a wide range of topics, including social history, psychology, genealogy, the social and emotional impact of expatriate life, and cultural or political changes across different countries and time periods. Our extensive materials offer unique insights into expatriate experiences from multiple perspectives, covering themes such as:

• How expatriates observe and represent other cultures;
• Different forms of communication, from traditional letters to modern blogs;
• The role of multilingualism in expatriate life writing;
• Social interactions, identity formation, and the concept of home;
• Coping with emotions such as loneliness and homesickness;
• The roles of partners in establishing family life abroad;
• The experiences of expatriate children, including Third Kulture Kids and Cross-Culture Kids.

Please note that any findings or conclusions drawn from research conducted at the EAC remain the sole property of the researcher.

We offer a comprehensive list of literature sources and global organisations that may be useful for researchers specialising in expatriation studies. You can explore the list here.

At present, we do not have an online catalogue due to privacy regulations. If you are interested in our collection, please complete the Research Request form on our website, specifying the type of material you are seeking. Our team will respond within one working week to inform you if relevant materials are available. Please note that all archival research must be conducted on-site at the EAC due to the sensitive nature of our collection. We are currently working on a project to develop a limited, anonymised, and GDPR-compliant online catalogue.

Due to privacy regulations, research on our collection can only be conducted by appointment at our premises. Please contact us to schedule a visit.

Please complete the Research Request form on our website. Providing as much detail as possible will help us assist you more effectively. Our team will review your request and respond within one working week to let you know if relevant materials are available.

No, accessing the archive is free of charge.

Please use our Contact Us form for general inquiries about the research process or our collection. For research-related questions, kindly complete the Research Request form. We aim to respond within one working week.

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