Teri

Having just returned from my first trip to Europe, I find myself thinking about it all of the time and can't wait to go back like many of you. Have any of you just picked up and moved to Europe just because you wanted to live there for a while? Was it hard to find a job? Did you just go over there, and then tried to find a job and a place to live? I could see living in Paris (a dream of course because I don't speak French) or anywhere in Germany (I do speak German). My career is in web site development and I have a background in public relations. If anyone wants to share their stories, I am interested in listening.

Lee

Teri: It probably happens alot. <BR> <BR>In 1983, I left Erie, Pennsylvania, taking a job with Lockheed Martin (then Martin Marietta) in Orlando and was promptly moved to Frankfurt, Germany to work on a classified defense project. We were civilians with DoD ID cards that allowed us many of the opportunities that US servicemen were given. One was travel and did we use it! First, with organized tours and then on our own. There were about 100 of us working together and we enjoyed it immensely, did I mention it was tax-free? We were able to go to Paris (five times?), the south of France, Belgium, England, Switzerland (2x), Netherlands (2x), Austria, all over Germany and many went to Spain, Kenya, etc. What a fantastic experience we had! <BR> <BR>We rented an apartment in Morefelden and bought a car. We even had a softball and flag football team. It was an experience that I will never forget. In 1986, our project was completed and I took a job with Lucas Aerospace in Cleveland, when I was "downsized" in 1993, returning home (Erie) to GE in 1994, where I am today. My wife (recently married) and I have been to Germany in '97, Paris in '98, Germnay just last May and I think that I may get her to Holland next spring on an "E-Saver". <BR> <BR>I saw on the bulletin board at work that there are two jobs available thru GE in Mannheim, Germany. She said "No way!", so I guess that it's just visits from here on. <BR> <BR>With your backround and in light of the demand in that area, I'd consider it, if I were you. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>

Maira

My husband & I have discussed our retirement plans and living in Europe part of the year is definitely part of the plan! Right now, we are both engineers for DoD and get to travel quite frequently overseas as is. Teri, I know a lot of teachers that work in American schools overseas (DoD facilities). I also met a number of Americans in Prague teaching English. Does teaching appeals to you?

Martha B

My husband is sold the ranch and we set sail for foreign shores. (Literally and literally.) Living in Europe is wonderful-- IF you don't have to make a living. Finding housing is easy, unless you're in a crowded, pricy city. Finding a job is very hard indeed. Your best bet is to find an overseas job with an American company. You can also try applying to get a resident visa in the country of your choice. You must apply for the visa while you are still in the US. You must have at least fluency in the country's language, and a saleable skill. Even that will not necessarily get you the visa. You might be able to find under-the-table jobs teaching English in some countries-- that was possible in Greece when we were there-- but I would be very surprised if you could do that in Germany or France. The under-the-table jobs working in bars and picking fruit are probably not what you're looking for. <BR>I know I'm being discouraging; however, living overseas was my dream, too, and I did eventually make it happen. I'd suggest you work on language skills (who knows-- maybe you'll get to Paris after all); learn all you can about the parts of Europe which seem the most exciting to you; and keep your ears and eyes open for opportunities. (A research sabbatical? An overseas assignment? Finding Mr. Right is Italian?) <BR>I'd also suggest you try to take at least a month's vacation to Europe, stay in one place, rent an apartment, and find out how you like living here day to day. Do you love dealing in a foreign language, or does it wear thin? do you like to explore new foods, or long for your familiar favorites? Are you going to be frustrated when you realize you're tied down, or will you love being part of ordinary life in Europe? (My bet is, you'll love it here!)

Trina

We've been living here in Germany for the last 5 years thanks to the good ol' U.S. Army. I would really like to find a way to move to Scotland once our tour is finished here next year as opposed to moving back to the U.S. After finding work and abode, my primary concern is my 6 year old son - how school would work out for him. Tony - I've lost your emails from previous discussions on this subject, but I seem to recall still feeling somewhat uncertain about a lot of issues. If you've still got copies, I'd appreciate a re-mail. Anyone who can offer insight, please email me and I'll provide details on our personal situation, i.e. marketable skills, education levels, etc.

Amy Garrett

I am moving to Berlin in one month and eight days. I will be teaching at a German-American School there. If any of you are teachers, I found a site on the web that listed International schools abroad and just sent out resumes. To go this route, you most likely need three or more years of teaching experience. <BR> <BR>As for living in Europe - I spent a year of my college career in England and fell in love with travel and Europe in general. So I am thrilled to return. I would love any and all advice that any of you have on getting adjusted in Europe.

francesca

It's important to keep in mind that Europe is not a country. Germany might suit you fine as a place to live, but you might hate Italy or France. I hated living in Germany and love it here (in Paris). In Germany, France and Southern Europe, not speaking the language fluently will be a big handicap both to working and integrating. However, many foreigners come to European countries and choose not to integrate. Seems sad, but that is the choice of some (not me!). I would try to get a short-term consulting assignment and see how you like living abroad. Then go for a longer term thing. There's my 2 centimes worth...

suzann

Teri, <BR>Like you, I keep and nurture a dream of one day living or retiring in Europe. Somewhere a few months back I came across a web site for a firm that *claims* to help people find work in foreign countries -- they say they can help process all the forms and help with job searches. I can't vouch for this company, because I've never contacted them. They are HQ in London. They say they have helped people relocate in the US, the UK, and in the Middle East. If you want their web site address, email me and I'll send it to you. You may want to check them out the next time you find yourself in London. <BR>Otherwise, I suggest you contact the consulate or embassy of the country you're interested in and ask about any firms in your line of work. They can send you addresses, then you can send resumes! <BR>Good luck. <BR>suzann

Teri

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Gail

Amy Garrett - would you mind posting the website where you found info about teaching overseas? I've been teaching Spanish for almost 20 years and as I near retirement, I'm interested in a possible overseas move. Thanks in advance.

Craig

I visited Europe on my honeymoon and decided to live abroad. That was three years ago this summer and I've been living in Europe for the past 15 months (northern Netherlands, mostly). What is more, my schedule for work has me on an oil rig (in various "backdoor" parts of the Netherlands) from wednesday to wednesday and the following wed-wed period off! I've spent little time at home and have packed a lifetime of european travel into one year with three more to go before I move off to my next location - Africa, Asia, So. America? <BR>Use all of your skills to push your way into a multinational company or other group which can bring you what you desire. Trust me, they need daring and courageous people like the ones I find here on the forum pages time and time again. The expat community would welcome your addition.

John

Hi, Teri, <BR>Getting jobs in EC countries for non-EC nationals is now very difficult indeed, just as most foreign folks have a hard time getting work visas in the US. You need typically to have a skill that some employer will vouch to the authorities as being in such short supply that you're the only one. Many will do this, but it can be frustrating and quite time consuming. Be aware that unemployment rates in Europe are almost universally higher than in the US, and put yourself in those governments' shoes... <BR>One well-trod path, however, is to go as a student and use that time to build leads and networks for later employment. It can still be effective. <BR>A couple of other thoughts: your field is very hot and I suspect undersupplied in Europe. There ought to be some networking (in the person-to-person, not computer sense) possibilities there. <BR>Second, you might want to contact some consular offices (Germany or UK, say) and ask about any barriers to taking assignments as an independent contractor rather than an employee. I suspect the barriers to this are far fewer, since you would not be seen as a long term (hence social-service or unemployment risk) resident with a potential claim on public funds. <BR>Good luck!

Scott

Well, I went to England last year for a holiday, and I'm longing to return to Europe, to live. <BR> <BR>However, I already have a fast track with a company that has a headquarters in Dublin, and the skills I have now are easily transferable to the Dublin facility. I inquired about this idea, and I totally surprised my manager on my inquiry. He's looking into the prospect, and hasn't gotten a response from human resources yet on my inquiry. <BR> <BR>With that said, he asked me my reasons for wanting to do the move. I simply said that I would very much like to see Europe, but I only have a certain amount of time off per year from work (like everyone.... I pointed out that if I worked for the branch in Dublin, I could kill two birds with one stone: see Europe, and still maintain my steady job with the company, and not having to worry about overseas flights, etc. They'd still have a good employee, and it'd allow me to experience another culture. <BR> <BR>The one drawback he did inform me about is such moves are expensive for the company, plus generally, most overseas moves/work generally deal with preliminary setup work for new facilities. That doesn't discourage me one bit, because the way I see it, if someone ever is needed to do such prelim work in Europe, I at least know that with my interest in doing such a thing is known by management, and my skills would be put to good use. <BR> <BR>Ironically, this idea was spawned by a co-worker who is Dutch and married an American woman. <BR> <BR>I do have a question for those already living in Europe (non-military): how long does the work visa last? A year, two years? Is it expensive? Where can I apply for one? <BR> <BR>Cheers! <BR> <BR>

francesca

I have gotten work permits in Germany and France, and, since the company I was working for did everything, they were neither long in coming nor expensive. The key thing is --get the job! The company who is dying to hire will get you the work permit (also true for the US, although it can be tougher there). In France, you get a 1-yr residency permit that you need to renew each yr for 3 yrs then, if you've been a good doo-bee and paid your taxe$$$$$, you get a 10-year card. My sister married a local and got a work permit automatically (though she doesn't work).