Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Moving Abroad

MollyBeth

Recommended Posts

MollyBeth Contributor
MollyBeth
Posted

Have any of you ever just picked up and moved to a different country? I'm thinking of moving to jamaica or something...just getting a boat and going and getting a job when I get down there. I'm 25. I've had a rough year. My chosen profession is a television news producer but the station I've been working for since August of 2007 has really turned me off. My last day here is March 27th. Part of me feels like I should get a new job in TV...you know...not letting this one bad experience get me down. But I've always wanted to just take off and I feel like I should do it now while I'm young.

So have any of you done it? What goes into it? Is it like the movies...Can I just pack some clothes and buy a plane ticket and take off?? Any advice would be appreciated!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Well, there are a few formalities to be observed first....Don't do like I did at 22 and arrive in Germany to live without a work permit, residence permit or a job. They kinda frown on things like that, especially the Germans :lol: where everything has to have a stempel and be in order. It did work out for me in the end with a lot of luck. Sometimes it's not what you know but who you know. On the other hand, with a bit of planning it can certainly be done. I don't know about in these precarious economic times, though, when jobs are being lost right, left and center. You would need to do a bit of research on your chosen country. Of course, I didn't follow the advice I am giving you, except for writing a letter to the German Consulate. The response came on the day my flatmate and I were leaving the country, so we just ignored it, caught the ferry across the English Channel, and then hitch-hiked to Wurzburg. Certainly it is easier to do this kind of thing when you are younger and more flexible and able to roll with the punches. On the other hand, six years ago my husband and I pulled up stakes from California and moved to New Zealand after 38 years. But then of course this is my home, although not his. The community we live in is full of people from all over the world, a mini United Nations.

My best friend's daughter just arrived in New Zealand to live from Colorado Springs on Friday, having raised her son, and dumped her husband after her mom died (I approve of this move by the way). She did have the advantage of being eligible for New Zealand citizenship right away because her mom was a Kiwi by birth, but she's 45 and starting a new life in a new country. She is loving it so far.

So yes, it can be done, but don't just hop a plane like in the movies!

MollyBeth Contributor
MollyBeth
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the advice! If I get citizenship in another country do I have to give up my US citizenship? Do you know how any of that works? I've been searching online but it's all so confusing!

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

The U.S. will let you have dual citizenship I believe, but some countries won't so at some point you may have to choose but that's a long ways away in the future. I have a friend who's been living in the U.S. for many years and has one more year to go before getting citizenship-I think she said it was 8 years for her. You don't have to become a citizen to stay permanently in a country. We know many who retain their citizenship in their home country and are settled here and will never become American citizens. Anyway, There are procedures that take time and money and don't have to be decided right away. Many come as a students and stayed and went step by step. Many companies help out with these things too.

I lived oversees for a year-wanted to stay longer. Best thing I've ever done. You could always teach English language!

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

I have dual New Zealand/US citizenship, because New Zealand is one of those countries that will always recognize you as a citizen if you were born here. Michelle, who just arrived from Colorado Springs, has dual ciizenship. Most of the people around us here have become NZ citizens and in doing so have had to lose their citizenship from country of origin.

I lived in the U.S. for 35 years on my green card and only became a US citizen because they would not have sent my social security payments to me here in New Zealand if I were not. Without citizenship in the US I could not vote and was barred from certain jobs. My husband is a permanent resident in New Zealand and under our laws he does get to vote. Because of the way the tax laws are set up he could not afford to become a New Zealand citizen, although he could have dual British/US citizenship because his mom was born in Britain.

But as Missy'sMom said, citizenship is not something you have to be concerned about really. But in most cases you do need work permits and other official documents to start working abroad, often these are arranged by employers if you hook up with someone who wants you to work there. One of my nieces worked for a year in New York on a work visa arranged by her company. She took her partner with her but he could not work. But because of an agreement between Australia and New Zealand she can work in Oz without a permit. which she now does.

So everything is specific to the country and your nationality situation.

Cinnamon Apprentice
Cinnamon
Posted

That sounds great, and nows the time to do it, while you are young. Just be careful with Jamaica. We had friends whose niece wrote travel articles, and went to Jamaica to write a piece on it. She never returned, and to this day they don't know what happened to her. As they tried to figure out what might have happened, they found out that while Jamaica is quite safe as long as you stay on the resorts, the rest of the island is not. It's not safe to travel around by yourself. When choosing a destination, try to research what the natives attitudes are towards outsiders. You don't want to go somewhere where the natives are desperately poor and where the police aren't the greatest. Pick a place that has a reputation for safety.

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

I've done it twice. Would definitely recommend it :) Research the country you want to go to and see what you have to do to work legally. It all depends on what you want to do and where you want to go.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lux Explorer
Lux
Posted

I'm a New Zealander who recently emigrated to London. I moved here knowing one person (vaguely) and I would definitely recommend it. Do as much research as you can before you go but once you decide yourself to doing it, commit yourself and don't look back! It could be the best decision you ever made

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I would just say exercise the caution other posters have mentioned. My friend was murdered in Haiti while in nursing school. I lived in Colombia but I can't travel there now; just too dangerous. Even during better times, you had to be very carefull.

On the other hand, living in another country was a life changing experience for me. I would highly reccomend it to anyone with the means. Do your research and obtain the proper papers. It isn't the pre-911 world anymore where you could just pick up and go. Australia, New Zealand and England all sound like great destinations to me and much safer than Jamaica.

I also picked up and lived 17 years in the West. Loved it!! But cost of living was high and jobs low paying. If you can get a job, moving across country was just as exciting for me. The culture was very different from my midwest upbringing and the terrain completely new!!

Do your homework and you should do well. Have an exciting time!!

MollyBeth Contributor
MollyBeth
Posted
  • Author

So, I've kindof ditched the jamaica idea after doing a little more research and then having that researched confirmed here on these posts!!! This is why I love this forum... so much info!

I've been thinking more Italy, Austrailia, and New Zealand.

Mushroom, How easy is it for people like me to find work there? I have a Bachelors degree and four years of experience as a television news producer. I'm also a licensed skydiver.

I've already done the whole pick up and move a thousand miles away a couple times. Grew up in Illinios, moved to North Dakota for two years, then in 2007 I moved to upstate New York.

Thanks so much for all the tips!!! If you think of anything else let me know!

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

Just a tip - it's easier for Americans to find legal work in Central/Eastern Europe than it is in Western Europe (if you're hoping to be legal). New Zealand is supposed to be doable. There used to be a program called Bunac that could get Americans 4-month work visas for Australia, but I believe that's now changed. Worth looking into more though.

puggirl Apprentice
puggirl
Posted

Why not just move to California...? Its a whole different world over here, from the rest of the country( trust me I know I've lived in Illinios, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Montatana So I can honestly say)

Just think... If you want snow you can drive four hours and get snow, if you want ocean you can drive a couple hours or min. depending where you live, and if you want dessert we have that too, Mountains for hiking, biking...

Its the middle of Winter here... and it was 80 today. I live in Central Cal so We dont have that many wild fires, or earthquakes (every once in awhile but most the time you dont feel it) No mud slides, Most of that is in Southern Cal.

Its really is nice over here, the people can be jerks and snobby but if you live in New York Im sure your used to it. Anyway... Its alot cheaper then moving to a new Country. Consider it.....

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
So, I've kindof ditched the jamaica idea after doing a little more research and then having that researched confirmed here on these posts!!! This is why I love this forum... so much info!

I've been thinking more Italy, Austrailia, and New Zealand.

Mushroom, How easy is it for people like me to find work there? I have a Bachelors degree and four years of experience as a television news producer. I'm also a licensed skydiver.

I've already done the whole pick up and move a thousand miles away a couple times. Grew up in Illinios, moved to North Dakota for two years, then in 2007 I moved to upstate New York.

Thanks so much for all the tips!!! If you think of anything else let me know!

I'm not sure how easy it is to just come here and work. They have specific programs for seasonal workers, like apple picking and stuff like that, but otherwise there is a points system for those who want to come here. If you have a job skill that is in high demand, are the right age, speak English, that kind of thing, counts in your favour. But they are mostly geared toward immigrants rather than coming here to work for a while. I have heard some say that it is very hard to get in, but it is not something I have had to consider personally. It helps to have a sponsor, and you have to prove that you are financially sufficient and will not be a drain on the public purse. Also, due to the current economic mess the world finds itself in we are losing jobs at a rate similar to the U.S. so it would probably be tougher now than formerly. Not meaning to rain on your parade, but New Zealand has traditionally been considered a fairly tough nut to crack. But it can be done.

MollyBeth Contributor
MollyBeth
Posted
  • Author

Puggirl,

I've been to Cali several times and moving west is a possibility, though I would likely go for Colorado. I'm looking into several options including masters programs abroad.

Mushroom, I'vealway wanted to visit there...Looks like I should just plan a vacation though. :)

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I felt the same when we moved to AZ. Culture was very different. Snow or warm weather is just a short drive away. We loved it. Jobs are tough though.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. suek54
      - suek54 replied to suek54's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      7

      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      Wow KK, thank you so much for all your attached info. I had a very quick scan but will read more in depth later. The one concerning corticosteroid use is very interesting. That would relate to secondary adrenal insufficiency I think , ie AI caused by steroids such as taken long term for eg asthma. I have primary autoimmune AI, my adrenals are atrophied...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to suek54's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      7

      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      Welcome to the forum, @suek54, I have Dermatitis Herpetiformis, too. I found taking Niacin B3 very helpful in clearing my skin from blisters as well as improving the itchies-without-rash (peripheral neuropathy). Niacin has been used since the 1950's to improve dermatitis herpetiformis. I try to balance my iodine intake (which will cause flairs...
    3. suek54
      - suek54 replied to suek54's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      7

      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      Thank you all for your advice and the dermatitis herpetiformis article. The latter made me realise I had stopped taking my antihistamine, which I will restart today. The Dapsone has cleared the rash entirely but I still get quite a bit itching, absolutely nothing to see though. I know its notoriously hard to clear and its still relatively early days for me...
    4. trents
      - trents replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      So, essentially all of the nutrition in the food we eat is absorbed through the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestinal track that is damaged by celiac disease. This villous lining is composed of billions of finger-like projections that create a huge amount of surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the celiac person, when...
    5. catnapt
      - catnapt replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      thank you so much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!! I can say with absolute certainty that the less gluten containing products I've eaten over the past several years, the better I've felt. I wasn't avoiding gluten, I was avoiding refined grains (and most processed foods) as well as anything that made me feel bad when I ate it. It's the...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,258
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tdodge
    Newest Member
    Tdodge
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • suek54
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By suek54 · Posted

      Wow KK, thank you so much for all your attached info. I had a very quick scan but will read more in depth later.  The one concerning corticosteroid use is very interesting. That would relate to secondary adrenal insufficiency I think , ie AI caused by steroids such as taken long term for eg asthma. I have primary autoimmune AI, my adrenals are atrophied, no chance if recovery there. But I am in touch with some secondaries, so something to bear in mind. .  Niacin B3 Very interesting too. Must have a good read about that.  Im sure lots of questions will arise as I progress with dermatitis herpetiformis. In the mean time, thanks for your help.
    • knitty kitty
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @suek54, I have Dermatitis Herpetiformis, too.  I found taking Niacin B3 very helpful in clearing my skin from blisters as well as improving the itchies-without-rash (peripheral neuropathy).  Niacin has been used since the 1950's to improve dermatitis herpetiformis.   I try to balance my iodine intake (which will cause flairs) with Selenium which improves thyroid function.   Interesting Reading: Dermatitis herpetiformis effectively treated with heparin, tetracycline and nicotinamide https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10844495/   Experience with selenium used to recover adrenocortical function in patients taking glucocorticosteroids long https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24437222/   Two Cases of Dermatitis Herpetiformis Successfully Treated with Tetracycline and Niacinamide https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30390734/   Steroid-Resistant Rash With Neuropsychiatric Deterioration and Weight Loss: A Modern-Day Case of Pellagra https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12532421/#:~:text=Figure 2.,(right panel) upper limbs.&text=The distribution of the rash,patient's substantial response to treatment.   Nicotinic acid therapy of dermatitis herpetiformis (1950) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15412276/
    • suek54
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By suek54 · Posted

      Thank you all for your advice and the dermatitis herpetiformis article. The latter made me realise I had stopped taking my antihistamine, which I will restart today. The Dapsone has cleared the rash entirely but I still get quite a bit itching, absolutely nothing to see though. I know its notoriously hard to clear and its still relatively early days for me.  The iodine issue is very interesting. I do eat quite a bit of salt because I have Addison's disease and sodium retention is an issue. I also have autoimmune hypothyroidism, not sure how a low iodine diet would play into that? Because of my Addison's I am totally steroid dependent, I take steroids 4 x daily and cannot mount any defence against inflammation. I need to increase my meds for that. Now that I know what is wrong I can do just that if Im having a bad day. Life is very sweet, just so damn complicated sometimes! Hey ho, onwards. Thank you again for your advice.  
    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      So, essentially all of the nutrition in the food we eat is absorbed through the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestinal track that is damaged by celiac disease. This villous lining is composed of billions of finger-like projections that create a huge amount of surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the celiac person, when gluten is consumed, it triggers an autoimmune reaction in this area which, of course, generates inflammation. The antibodies connected with this inflammation is what the celiac blood tests are designed to detect but this inflammation, over time, wears down the finger-like projections of the villous lining. Of course, when this proceeds for an extended period of time, greatly reduces the absorption efficiency of the villous lining and often results in many and various nutrient deficiency-related health issues. Classic examples would be osteoporosis and iron deficiency. But there are many more. Low D3 levels is a well-known celiac-caused nutritional deficiency. So is low B12. All the B vitamins in fact. Magnesium, zinc, etc.  Celiac disease can also cause liver inflammation. You mention elevated ALP levels. Elevated liver enzymes over a period of 13 years was what led to my celiac diagnosis. Within three months of going gluten free my liver enzymes normalized. I had elevated AST and ALT. The development of sensitivities to other food proteins is very common in the celiac population. Most common cross reactive foods are dairy and oats but eggs, soy and corn are also relatively common offenders. Lactose intolerance is also common in the celiac population because of damage to the SB lining.  Eggs when they are scrambled or fried give me a gut ache. But when I poach them, they do not. The steam and heat of poaching causes a hydrolysis process that alters the protein in the egg. They don't bother me in baked goods either so I assume the same process is at work. I bought a plastic poacher on Amazon to make poaching very easy. All this to say that many of the issues you describe could be caused by celiac disease. 
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      thank you so much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!! I can say with absolute certainty that the less gluten containing products I've eaten over the past several years, the better I've felt.   I wasn't avoiding gluten, I was avoiding refined grains (and most processed foods) as well as anything that made me feel bad when I ate it. It's the same reason I gave up dairy and eggs- they make me feel ill.  I do have a bit of a sugar addiction lol so a lot of times I wasn't sure if it was the refined grains that I was eating - or the sugar. So from time to time I might have a cookie or something but I've learned how to make wonderful cookies and golden brownies with BEANS!! and no refined sugar - I use date paste instead. Pizza made me so ill- but I thought it was probably the cheese. I gave up pizza and haven't missed it. the one time I tried a slice I felt so bad I knew I'd never touch it again. I stopped eating wheat pasta at least 3 yrs ago- just didn't feel well after eating it. I tried chick pea pasta and a few others and discovered I like the brown rice pasta. I still don't eat a lot of pasta but it's nice for a change when I want something easy. TBH over the years I've wondered sometimes if I might be gluten intolerant but really believed it was not possible for me to have celiac disease. NOW I need to know for sure- because I'm in the middle of a long process of trying to find out why I have a high parathyroid level (NOT the thyroid- but rather the 4 glands that control the calcium balance in your body) I have had a hard time getting my vit D level up, my serum calcium has run on the low side of normal for many years... and now I am losing calcium from my bones and excreting it in my urine (some sort of renal calcium leak) Also have a high ALP since 2014. And now rapidly worsening bone density.  I still do not have a firm diagnosis. Could be secondary HPT (but secondary to what? we need to know) It could be early primary HPT. I am spilling calcium in my urine but is that caused by the high parathyroid hormone or is it the reason my PTH is high>? there are multiple feedback loops for this condition.    so I will keep eating the bread and some wheat germ that does not seem to bother me too much (it hasn't got enough gluten to use just wheat germ)    but I'm curious- if you don't have a strong reaction to a product- like me and wheat germ- does that mean it's ok to eat or is it still causing harm even if you don't have any obvious symptoms? I guess what you are saying about silent celiac makes it likely that you can have no symptoms and still have the harm... but geez! you'd think they'd come up with a way to test for this that didn't require you to consume something that makes you sick! I worry about the complications I've been reading about- different kinds of cancers etc. also wondering- are there degrees of celiac disease?  is there any correlation between symptoms and the amnt of damage to your intestines? I also need a firm diagnosis because I have an identical twin sister ... so if I have celiac, she has it too- or at least the genetic make up for having it. I did have a VERY major stress to my body in 2014-2016 time frame .. lost 50lbs in a short period of time and had severe symptoms from acute protracted withdrawal off an SSRI drug (that I'd been given an unethically high dose of, by a dr who has since lost his license)  Going off the drug was a good thing and in many ways my health improved dramatically- just losing 50lbs was helpful but I also went  off almost a dozen different medications, totally changed my diet and have been doing pretty well except for the past 3-4 yrs when the symptoms related to the parathyroid issue cropped up. It is likely that I had low vit D for some time and that caused me a lot of symptoms. The endo now tells me that low vit D can be caused by celiac disease so I need to know for sure! thank you for all that great and useful information!!! 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.