Moving Abroad

[MollyBeth]

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!

[mushroom]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Lux]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.