Cities to go work in abroad.

[drnaphtali]

Hi MyBB'ers,

I've decided that I want to try to go work abroad and get some new experiences, perspectives and meeting people from other countries.

This will probably only be a temporary move (2-5 years) as I love South Africa and I will miss my family.

I am busy doing some research on places that I will consider. The country should definately be either in Europe, or be the USA or Canada. I am not interested in Eastern Europe, Asia, Russia, South America or Australias (incl New Zealand).

I would like some suggestions on places too look out for. Currently I am looking at Stockholm (Sweden), NY (USA), Berlin (Germany).

 

[blunomore]

I am not interested in ... Asia ....

I would like some suggestions on places too look out for.

Unless you are just an average Joe, I am flummoxed by why you would specifically NOT want an opportunity to gain working experience in the countries that are considered the world's new superpowers???

 

[drnaphtali]

Unless you are just an average Joe, I am flummoxed by why you would specifically NOT want an opportunity to gain working experience in the countries that are considered the world's new superpowers???

What do you mean by Average Joe? Like not having a degree?

I understand that if my main aim was only to get the best work experience and make alot of money, then those places would make most sense. But my reason for considering working abroad would be a combination of this, and then having an interesting and happy time while being abroad. Asia does not appeal to me at all and I will find it boring mostly.

 

[blunomore]

What do you mean by Average Joe? Like not having a degree?

I understand that if my main aim was only to get the best work experience and make alot of money, then those places would make most sense. But my reason for considering working abroad would be a combination of this, and then having an interesting and happy time while being abroad. Asia does not appeal to me at all and I will find it boring mostly.

By Average Joe I mean someone just doing it for the sake of making money or having a fun time, as opposed to seriously making choices based on career building and looking towards the future, careerwise.

Asia is anything but boring, but that is JMO.

 

[TJ99]

What do you mean by Average Joe? Like not having a degree?

I understand that if my main aim was only to get the best work experience and make alot of money, then those places would make most sense. But my reason for considering working abroad would be a combination of this, and then having an interesting and happy time while being abroad. Asia does not appeal to me at all and I will find it boring mostly.

Unfortunately, unless you have a few doctorates and/or are some kind of world-leading expert in your field (whatever that is), you'll find it very hard to find work in any of the nice countries (especially Europe or the US). They will only employ foreigners after an extensive search to find someone locally, as there's hardly enough work for their own citizens as it is. A few years ago young people could still go scrubbing toilets/waitering/some other demeaning job in the UK or Europe and make lots of money but apparently even that's not possible anymore.

The only countries really looking for people are precisely the ****holes you mentioned. They're the only ones really experiencing economic growth, the first world is stagnating. OK, Australia is not as ****ty as the others but it's got no "personality" if that makes sense. It has none of the bad things about SA (Politics, crime, racism, corruption etc.), but none of the good stuff either.

 

[drnaphtali]

By Average Joe I mean someone just doing it for the sake of making money or having a fun time, as opposed to seriously making choices based on career building and looking towards the future, careerwise.

Asia is anything but boring, but that is JMO.

Thanks blu,
Have you lived there, and where? In what industry are you?
I am a Mechatronical (Mechanical/Electrical) Engineer, and working in the building construction industry. But I've come to realise that this industry isnt for me. I need alot more creative stimulation. I love doing engineering, and I hope to mix the two. Like I saw a job now at a company which constructs stage sets for concerts etc. I am otherwise considering changing over to something like industrial design or anything in research & development.

 

[drnaphtali]

Unfortunately, unless you have a few doctorates and/or are some kind of world-leading expert in your field (whatever that is), you'll find it very hard to find work in any of the nice countries (especially Europe or the US). They will only employ foreigners after an extensive search to find someone locally, as there's hardly enough work for their own citizens as it is. A few years ago young people could still go scrubbing toilets/waitering/some other demeaning job in the UK or Europe and make lots of money but apparently even that's not possible anymore.

The only countries really looking for people are precisely the ****holes you mentioned. They're the only ones really experiencing economic growth, the first world is stagnating. OK, Australia is not as ****ty as the others but it's got no "personality" if that makes sense. It has none of the bad things about SA (Politics, crime, racism, corruption etc.), but none of the good stuff either.

Hi TJ,
Yeah, I realise it is not going to be easy and might not happen at all, but I would still love to try. Even though it might be very difficult, its not impossible. I have some friends (out of university) who were average students and still managed to find some great jobs abroad.

Worst case is, I move back to Cape Town which is not bad at all /

 

[blunomore]

Thanks blu,
Have you lived there, and where? In what industry are you?
I am a Mechatronical (Mechanical/Electrical) Engineer, and working in the building construction industry. But I've come to realise that this industry isnt for me. I need alot more creative stimulation. I love doing engineering, and I hope to mix the two. Like I saw a job now at a company which constructs stage sets for concerts etc. I am otherwise considering changing over to something like industrial design or anything in research & development.

No I have not lived there but it is the centre of development and it must be wonderful and a leaning curve to be a part of that.

 

[TJ99]

Hi TJ,
Yeah, I realise it is not going to be easy and might not happen at all, but I would still love to try. Even though it might be very difficult, its not impossible. I have some friends (out of university) who were average students and still managed to find some great jobs abroad.

Worst case is, I move back to Cape Town which is not bad at all /

How did they manage that? Have family in Europe? It might have been a few years ago... before the recession, Greek nonsense, and near-collapse of the Eurozone. Still, if you can somehow manage something, I'd recommend Berlin. I've never been to one of the others but Berlin is awesome. My favourite German city definitely, I'd be on a plane tomorrow if I could find work there. Living costs there are definitely cheaper than Scandinavia, or even here, or at least it was in 2009 when I went.

 

[Fuma]

Currently I am looking at Stockholm (Sweden)

When I read Stockholm , I thought of Codex Gigas.

 

[DJ...]

What do you mean by Average Joe? Like not having a degree?

I understand that if my main aim was only to get the best work experience and make alot of money, then those places would make most sense. But my reason for considering working abroad would be a combination of this, and then having an interesting and happy time while being abroad. Asia does not appeal to me at all and I will find it boring mostly.

I can assure you that Singapore would definitely not bore you and considering they speak English fluently, it is the best of all cosmopolitan worlds. If I had the inclination to work abroad again, Singapore would be my number 1 choice...