Help Me!!!
 

I dated a girl from France that was in the United States for a year as an au pair. And long story short we have decided to stay together even though she had to leave the county
So now we are looking for places to go to be together. She found a job for us in Italy as an au pair couple but Italy will only allow americans to work 3 months as an au pair but we were looking to go somewhere for atleast 6 months to a year.
Any ideas of different countries or other visas?

Any help would be amazing because i am having an incredibly difficult time finding more options

You may have to work out your life together in three month cycles: 3 in the States, 3 in Europe, 3 in the States, 3 in Europe, etc.

Couple of problems with that
1- neither of us have a ton of cash so i doubt we could afford to do the 3 months on and 3 off since you're not allowed to work when you're on a visiting somewhere
2- wouldn't be able to afford the plane tickets back and forth

Michael is refering to the rules for visits. As a tourist, you cannot stay beyond 90 days.

You might want to consult with British embassy (and French, Italian,etc..). But for jobs that can be filled by locals...

It's tough enough to get an ex-pat job, for doing it on your own :(

Ireland maybe your best bet, if the economy still allows for au pairs there. Your girlfriend can work there anyway as an EU citizen and you could perhaps get a visa under the working holidays scheme:
http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=73713

If you are serious about au pairing be aware that most families will only want one of you, you may find it hard to be taken on as a male, you have to like children and be prepared to work. You will be protected under law if you use a proper agency and get a proper agreement drawn up. Otherwise you could be exploited.
It is normal for au pairs to follow some course part time, since the idea is you learn more about your host country. A language course is the normal thing to follow but wouldn't help you in Ireland of course.

I think you need to think long term. If you have no money, how is being an au pair going to further this relationship or your career goals and future income? That isn't a career track (def. not for men, women need more education and certification to become well-paid nannies). SO even if you did that for 6 months or whatever, then what?

Going to school and actually studying something useful might make sense for you (she obviously has no problem), but you don't even mention that, so I guess you have no educational goals. And that takes money, sure, but you'd get a visa. I don't know if you are allowed to work while a student or not in France (at least Americans, I've read some other nationals can work while a student).

I would think France would be your best bet, I have read that is is fairly easy to get a long-term visa there as an au pair. Whether anyone wants you as an au pair is another story, a lot of people do not want males.

I would think Canada might be your best bet. At last there is a French-speaking part so she might like that or it could be useful. I think you can stay in Canada for 6 months without a visa and obviously, it's not that far if you have to travel back and forth. I don't know the details, but I don't think it's as hard to get a visa to stay there longer term, either (compared to Europe).

I think you can get a long stay visa in Mexico real easy, just pay some dinero to someone (legally, I think anyone can get one if you can prove you have $1000 in the bank). I'd rather go to Canada. I could be off base, you'd have to check into these if you were interested.

These are all amazing ideas and I really appreciate everyone helping.

To Christina: You're 100% right about it effecting the career and education aspect in my life and hers. But as corny as it sounds neither of us care about these things more than we care about being with each other so we are more willing to put a "pause" on our life for a year while we go live somewhere together and then who knows, cuz honestly I never look that far into the future.

I've also been looking into doing volunteer work in other country's along with looking at agency's that help you get visa's in New Zealand to work for up to a year. So I am not focusing totally on being an Au Pair as much as just finding a way and a place for use to move together

Some of my relations tour the world, they do elements of New Zealand, Hawai, France and UK blending teaching water sports or ski to people.

Do you have this sort of skill? Do you have a bunch of language skills?

Going to Ireland to pick up dirt cheap work kinda forgets what is happening in Ireland at the moment

My nephew went to Yemen (not a suggestion as location!) to teach ESL. He said that as long as you have an offical designation, lots of jobs in many countries. It did not take him to long to get a certificate.

I believe his contract was for 1 year.

My girlfriend speaks fluent French and English. Unfortunately i don't possess the same skills but I've been picking up French lately and i learn fairly fast. Most of my teaching skills come from coaching local youth sport leagues and being a counselor for youth sport camps

Shoyt,
If you speak english and are not afraid of public speaking, the ESL course teaches you the mechanics of how to teach the language.

My nephew also mixed in conversational english, so he got to teach them and learn from them abotu their culture.

I would need to get qualified to teach ESL though wouldn't I?

Yes, you would, and for TEFL at least, you have to have a university degree. My son (British/American) and his American girlfriend have been teaching English abroad (Turkey, Thailand, Chile) for years, but you do need qualifications.

Then I am pretty much screwed.......

My nephew has a Masters in International Studies and took the job because not much else out there. I do not know what you need to get your TEFL certificate, but it may be one path to follow to make your dream come true. For international postings, I think you would need a piece of paper.

I know of someone who teaches English in China and I'm pretty sure he only did a short course to enable him to get the job - about a six week course(?). He has been there a few years now. Definitely worth looking into.

Check on the Thorntree forum on the Lonely Planet website, there are always people asking similar questions and you'll get more info.

Also check on www.gumtree.com for jobs, I've seen jobs like house-minding a chateau in France or Italy for 6 months etc. It's amazing what you find on there sometimes.

Good luck.
Kay

There's always getting married as an option...

In the UK, if you are accepted on a college course you can work up to 20 hours a week and full time during the holidays. Does that help?

Otherwise, get married. You can then get visas for each other's countries

Getting married to a European citizen is no longer a sure way to a visa in Europe. Don't know the rules in France, but in Holland even Dutch citizens who are married to a someone from outside the EU find it very difficult to get a visa for their spouse.

Getting a job teaching English abroad may be your best option.

I don't think id be able to afford room and board with 20 hours of work a week though but yes ideally that would be perfect