Feel uneasy about immigrating?

Silent Runner

I applied for a job in england a few months ago and have recently got called for an interview. I'm delighted that I might get the chance to work in a job that I love. If I got the chance to work here again in the future, I would jump on it.

But on the other side I don't know anyone in england or the uk. I've never been abroad before. I know it will be a great experience for me but I'm a bit frightened at the thought of being on my own and having no friends over there. To be honest I'm not great at making friends, because most of the few friends I have I've known them scine primary school. Another thing is that the people in this job, going by my experience, will be much older than me (they tend to be in their 40's - 60's). Plus my job involves very unsociable hours, so joining societies and clubs might be a problem (getting time to meet up for meetings).

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to broadening my horizons, but a part of me feels a bit uneasy about the thought of being on my own outside of work and weekends.

parrai

Silent Runner wrote: »

I applied for a job in england a few months ago and have recently got called for an interview. I'm delighted that I might get the chance to work in a job that I love. If I got the chance to work here again in the future, I would jump on it.

But on the other side I don't know anyone in england or the uk. I've never been abroad before. I know it will be a great experience for me but I'm a bit frightened at the thought of being on my own and having no friends over there. To be honest I'm not great at making friends, because most of the few friends I have I've known them scine primary school. Another thing is that the people in this job, going by my experience, will be much older than me (they tend to be in their 40's - 60's). Plus my job involves very unsociable hours, so joining societies and clubs might be a problem (getting time to meet up for meetings).

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to broadening my horizons, but a part of me feels a bit uneasy about the thought of being on my own outside of work and weekends.

It's not forever, if you don't like it, you can always come back...

Try it for a while, unless you are signing a contract, I don't see the problem...Look at the positives... It's only across the water... You will be with older people whom I'm sure will guide if you have a problem... And you will meet people, also there must be some of your friends in england...

nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Silent Runner

The job is for a permanent position. I though it'd be a good idea to apply for the job instead of just going on the dole/part-time work and temporary contracts only available here, plus add something more interesting to my cv.

parrai

Silent Runner wrote: »

The job is for a permanent position. I though it'd be a good idea to apply for the job instead of just going on the dole/part-time work and temporary contracts only available here, plus add something more interesting to my cv.

Yes but there is nothing to stop you from leaving if you feel that you don't like England... After all this is the thing that is worrying you...

I would go.... As you say, it'll be great on the cv but more importantly on gaining experience in another country...

I lived abroad for along time and have since returned and am quite content here now...

Beruthiel

Silent Runner wrote: »

But on the other side I don't know anyone in england or the uk. I've never been abroad before. I know it will be a great experience for me but I'm a bit frightened at the thought of being on my own and having no friends over there.

Going outside our comfort zone can be difficult for everyone one.
Not knowing the outcome and fearing that it could turn out to be a disaster stops many people from taking that move.
Most of the time it will be a positive experience. It will help you grow and gain confidence as you realise that you didn't die from it and in fact, you have grown as a person.

To be honest I'm not great at making friends, because most of the few friends I have I've known them scine primary school.

Then it's time you taught yourself to push that boundary.

Another thing is that the people in this job, going by my experience, will be much older than me (they tend to be in their 40's - 60's).

Don't let age prevent you from getting to know people. You might be surprised how interesting someone in their 40's might be. Give them a chance.

Plus my job involves very unsociable hours, so joining societies and clubs might be a problem (getting time to meet up for meetings).

You'll find a way, England has a large population, I'm quite sure you'll find places to go during your time off.

You will need to give yourself time.
It takes a good six months to settle into a new environment, acknowledge that fact and just make the effort to enjoy the experience.
Best of luck.

Firetrap

Emigrating is no laugh but try not to worry about it. You're only going across the water to England. Not half-way across the world. If you had to move to a faraway town or city in Ireland, you'd be in exactly the same boat. It could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you - get you out of your comfort zone.

Don't immediately knock the age group of your future colleagues. I'm guessing you're either fresh out of college or have never worked with people outside your own age group. Once you work alongside people of different age groups for a while, you forget about their ages and they just become people. Some of them could turn out to be your greatest allies - inviting you to things, giving you advice, perhaps introducing you to their adult kids who are the same age as you.

As for what to do at weekends, keep your eye out. There will have to be things that you can do then that involve meeting people. Hillwalking? That sort of thing.

jackiebaron

Silent Runner wrote: »

I applied for a job in england a few months ago and have recently got called for an interview. I'm delighted that I might get the chance to work in a job that I love. If I got the chance to work here again in the future, I would jump on it.

But on the other side I don't know anyone in england or the uk. I've never been abroad before. I know it will be a great experience for me but I'm a bit frightened at the thought of being on my own and having no friends over there. To be honest I'm not great at making friends, because most of the few friends I have I've known them scine primary school. Another thing is that the people in this job, going by my experience, will be much older than me (they tend to be in their 40's - 60's). Plus my job involves very unsociable hours, so joining societies and clubs might be a problem (getting time to meet up for meetings).

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to broadening my horizons, but a part of me feels a bit uneasy about the thought of being on my own outside of work and weekends.

You've never been outside of Ireland before? Jesus Christ, not even on a holiday?

England is 1 poxy hour away. It's not like you're being transported on a coffin-ship to Van Diemen's Land. They speak the same language as you do. They even have the same TV programs that you watch, unless you're a bogger who only watches TnaG. They have the same food. And their women are great craic who like to get drunk and fool around. They also have dark-skinned babes there too.....loads of them.
As for what to do on weekends? Get out and about and enjoy yourself. Join a swimming club or some sh!t and meet people. Go dancing....WTF!!!

Ickle Magoo

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Many thanks.

AlbionCat

Silent Runner - go for it

I have just done the reverse and come here for work as I was struggling to find anything in the UK. I had very short notice that I got the job, so the internet became the tool to help me - from paperwork and finding somewhere to live and banks etc.,

If you are going to try a spot of living abroad, then the UK is probably a reasonable place to start - language is mostly the same for a start! (It does help - I have done some work in Germany, without the aid of the language and it is a bit hard without knowing the lingo).

I left my partner behind and I miss him (but then I love him heaps anyway) and we have both worked in industries where we were apart over night, so we were partly used to it. The best investment was 10 minutes downloading skype onto our respective PC's. we talk every day about all sorts of things and probably have more interesting conversations than if we were both sat in front of the goggle box.

England is an hour away by plane - I dont know where in Ireland you are looking to depart from, but I can do door to door from where I live in ireland to my UK home in about 3.5 hours. Most of the regional UK airports have a flight into Dublin and Bus Eirann can be your friend as well once you get back. As a rule, I try to get home once a month (so we can have some face to face time or alternatively we meet in Dublin for a long weekend.

Dont worry about the age factor of your collegues - there is nothing wrong with us 40 year olds!! Age is relative these days - my mother goes motor racing and she is 65! Friends come with time, and one way of perhaps meeting some is finding shared accomodation so there are people you can ask questions of / initiate conversations etc., You say it might be unsocial hours, so meeting up / societies may be more difficult - an alternative might an Adult Education course - does not have to be work related, but they often have daytime classes as well as nights, so you could meet new peeps that way. If you are young, I suspect you wont be on your own for long!!

The question that might be on your mind as well is "what about getting homesick?" It will probably happen. I struggled with this for about 2 months solid, when I did not manage to get my monthly trip home, and I did end up in tears a couple of times, wailing down the phone at my beloved. To be fair, I was newly into job, under a bit of pressure and yes - in a slightly strange land! I have gotten over it as the job has become more comfortable and I have relaxed (and yes - made a couple of friends whom I can chat with)!

I am glad I came. I am unlikely to spend more than a couple of years here in total, but at a time of rising unemployment, I found a job, got more experience and I know it will count when I go back to the UK.


Unless you are really unsure, or the job turns out to be something completely different after you go through the interview, give it some serious thought. A bit of an adventure is always fun! (And dont forget - if you do get the job and take it, there is a section on Boards for Region>Abroad>UK!! You can ask some more location related questions there as well.

Good luck

AC