What country to move to?

[Alex Johnson]

I've been kind of mixing it around in my mind lately that it might be interesting to move to a foreign country when I finish with college and work for a few years. I have no intention of leaving the U.S. for good, just exploring the world a bit. I figured with the combined experiences of all the TFL crowd I might be able to gain a few suggestions. I would brush up on the language aspect before I left, so I'm not overly concerned about that barrier, also, my degree is versatile enough so I don't think I would have problems finding some kind of work. I was thinking about South Africa, but other options would be looked at with interest. Thankyou.

 

[Coinneach]

Depends on what you're looking for. Specifics?

 

[Futo Inu]

Personally, I'd like to move to Switzerland or Austria in that order, but I think their immigration policies are strict, and I would need to learn the language first. I'm thinking neverending snowboarding, lots of gun freedoms, and somehow I don't think the student loan collection dept will call me over there.

[This message has been edited by Futo Inu (edited May 11, 2000).]

 

[Munro Williams]

Check out Dave's ESL cafe at: http://www.eslcafe.com for a real good look at what teaching English overseas is like.

If you come to Japan bring ALL your money. It's insanely expensive over here. Minimum $5,000, and even $10,000 wouldn't be a bad idea. It'll take a while to get a decent job. If you're broke, be prepared to get royally reamed.
Don't have $5,000? Don't come to Japan.

 

[Herodotus]

Working in any foriegn country is always a problem. Most countries are very, very restrictive about letting you work. Its a lot different if you are just bumming around on your own resources or looking for work. To work, you really have to know very specifically the ins and out and technicalities and corruptions of the regeme in question. You need knowledgable friends in the coutry in question.

 

[Libertarian]

Check out Oceania. It is billed as a truly Libertarian society.Now is the time to get in on the ground floor (so to speak).

 

[Mike Davies]

Canada...You'll learn the language in no time, eh?..and M1's only cost $90 US here....and there's thousands to choose from..

[This message has been edited by Mike Davies (edited May 11, 2000).]

 

[Libertarian]

How much is USD90 in Canadian? About CD3,000, right? <just kidding. I know it is only CD900 )

[This message has been edited by Libertarian (edited May 11, 2000).]

 

[taco]

It all depends on what level of standard you want to live. I have "lived" (6 months or more)in 7 different countries on 4 continents in last 12 years due to my job and I can tell you from my experience that almost no country will issue you a work permit unless you have some education, knowledge or expertise in some desirable field like computer hardware/software. In most developed countries you will not be able to live above the poverty level by just working odd jobs. In developing countries you can usually get some odd jobs (due to your English language)to live at "acceptable" level. In underdeveloped countries you can usually work and live at "decent" level without too much trouble (again dure to you English language). There are some exceptions such as my friend who went down to Central America 16 years ago for a visit and never came back. He got a job with an American company illegally at first and then few years later became an official emplyee. He is now their chief of operations and lives very well (even by America standard) and is married to a local woman. In any country it will cost you about same amount as here if you want to live like middle class American and less developed the country is more it cost. By the way, most Far-East countries are very expensive.