Living abroad once qualified...help?!

Bri

This is probably the most incoherent thread in weeks but I'd appreciate the help given the fact Ive helped others here in the past:

I'm going to finish my masters this summer and I'm not a major fan of Ireland and its climate/society so I'm quite keen to head off to continental Europe. I have French and Spanish but at intermediate/basic levels respectively. I reluctantly need to improve my French in classes or just by living around it, to increase my employability in EU-related work.

Has anyone else been in similar positions? I've had friends who did TEFL in Spain and loved it. Right now I dont wanna do the booze-cruise to Australia, etc. Ideally Id like decent enough climate and people. I don't have to get a permanent job straight off but a paid internship would be a good trade-off; working some sh!t summer job isnt top of my list given my qualifications. Basically I dont want the 'returning from a year-off and looking for 1st proper job' feeling! Maybe I'm kidding myself...

Any ideas of locations and/or ways to ease myself into work? Obviously Brussels and France (south!) fit the bill quite well, but I could go elsewhere and goto French classes. Anyone been to Valencia (seems popular) or other decent spots to live for 6 months to a year? I've travelled western europe quite well and know that I generally like what its got to offer, at least for now. Im just back from Brugge in Belgium and it really convinced me I should try living out off this little rock in the Atlantic.

I'm also asking because some graduate programs let you specify locations and I don't really know what I want. I remember an old thread related to this but thought I'd ask anew.

This is very vague but anyone living abroad right now or previously...Id love to know how you found moving over there and why you picked it.

chump

Bri I'm not in a position to comment from experience, but I'd imagine the best stategy is to find an internship/job and let it decide where you'll go. If you get it in your head that you want to go to one particular place you'll limit your job prospects immediately.

If you have just completed your masters in a science discipline you should have no problem getting something in Europe.

Same could be said for a high calibre business course as all the big banks and finance houses have spots in europe.

Saruman

Try Prague!! Its bloody cheap to live there!! Incidently its full of jobs where you can speak english all the time.. like call centre jobs etc.
Or do the tefl thing and piss of to Japan or China, you actually get paid a LOT of money.. or in some cases not so much BUT you get all expenses paid like apartment, travel etc.

Bri

Thanks for the advice. Jp/China isn't really what I'm looking for right now, but Central Europe is a potentional option. I've been told not to do NGO/voluntary work until I work properly first as it will devalue my masters for future employers (a bit harsh I know).

Is Prague not a complete tourist magnet? Also is it reasonably safe to live in - I thought it was getting more seedy by the day?

paulinimus

I understand you man. I live in Korea right now. Typing on a Samsung keyboard right now. Go, if you're not happy with Ireland. DO NOT stay around complaining. You will appreciate Ireland more by traveling - even the ****ty climate, and don't worry corruption is everywhere. Don't go to France or Belgium - sad people. Go to Netherlands maybe - Amsterdam, or at leat Antwerp (Dutch speaking area of Balgium) DO NOT travel somewhere for the language. Do the Ireish thing. Go to Australia or NZ. If not, Holland. Korea or Japan for the culture shock. I'm in Korea right now and I just love it so far.
Go to Spain before France, Germany...
Dont go to the North of Italy - dicks. Go south...

Good luck

Bri

Thanks for that rundown I've travelled extensively but only for periods upto 3 months (Canda/Africa/US/Continental Europe/Norway/UK/The Med/etc) so I'm fairly sure that continental europe is my goal for now - honestly I don't wanna run a million miles from home just yet, I just wanna be away from UK/Irish society.

Where in Spain would you suggest? I've been to Barca and the SE, but the former isn't an option as I dont wanna start picking up Catalan (sp?).

Imposter

I'd suggest doing the TEFL course and then heading somewhere and trying to find a 'normal' job there. If you can't find one of these then you can fall back on the english teaching. I'd suggest going somewhere you've an idea of the language as it's very hard to get normal jobs without it. Another option is to try and get into an international company where you amy be dealing in both english and the local language. Usually there a quite a few jobs to be had in this type of thing and it might even be relevant to your qualifications.

Bri

Good stuff Imposter I like that way of thinking.

Out of interest, are you originally Irish given your current location?

Where in Spain would you suggest? I've been to Barca and the SE, but the former isn't an option as I dont wanna start picking up Catalan (sp?).

Why not? Do you have something against Catalans?

I'm no expert on TEFL but I plan to do it in Japan, just to experience Asia and the culture shock for a year or two. I don't see the problem of going somewhere for the language, surely your life would be quite difficult if you lived in a country without knowing any of the language. I don't like that even if I go somewhere for a short trip.

Bri

Sonny Tasty Pantry: Are you being sarcastic?! I don't want to learn Catalan as its a minority language that is (apparantly) very challenging to learn; and given the fact I have already got some Spanish this would strike me as crazy. Also Barca is Spain without the good weather

That said, I'm a believer in not being the Irish lout who wants everyone to speak their language when abroad, so I have no problem giving integration a go once I like the spot I'm in. English-speaking places are fine in my mind, but right now I'm interested in a bit more of a cultre-change.

Imposter

Bri wrote:

Out of interest, are you originally Irish given your current location?

Yep, got out of Ireland after about 9 months of looking for a job relevant to my degree. No plans to go back at the moment!

You definitely should get away, everyone should do it. It really opens your eyes to other cultures (even if they are not that different) and makes you see Ireland/home in a new light (good and bad).

Deciding you are definitely going is probably the hardest thing you have to do. Once you are there you just get on with whatever you want to do (find a job, learn language etc..). It can be difficult and frustrating at times but there's also a huge amount ot be gained from it in terms of experiences. But it's really not as difficult as it seems. When it comes to working, if you want to work you'll find something even though it may take some time.

Bri

Sounds encouraging...

Did you have any languages when you left?
Why Austria?
How did you find settling in - socialising, etc. Or did you go with friends?

pickarooney

Any harm to ask what you're studying? If it's anything IT-ish, most jobs in France are probably in Lille (ugly place, crap weather), Paris (ok-ish weather, unpleasant people, expensive) and Sophia-Anfipolis/Nice (beautiful weather, lovely people, dearish).
Having lived in France (Aix-en-Provence) for a few years, I can't wait to go back with a bit of work experience under my belt, hopefully at the beginning of next year. Holland is easy enough in terms of the language. If you're not pushed you can get by without learning Dutch, and there are a reasonable amount of jobs. The weather is cack and the people extremely dull and unfriendly (sorry guys, but you know it's true ) but the infrastructure (roads, railways, cyclepaths, sports facilities, FREE super-duper glass-fibre internet) is great. It can be soul-destroyingly hard to find accommodation - wiating lists of 5-6 years are not uncommon - unless you're lucky (I was thankfully) but rent is insanely cheap in the rent-controlled areas.

Imposter

Bri wrote:

Sounds encouraging...

Did you have any languages when you left?
Why Austria?
How did you find settling in - socialising, etc. Or did you go with friends?

I thought I could speak german! I went over to a friend which did make it quite a bit easier.

Settling in was difficult initially as I really hadn't a clue of the language. The Austrian dialect is quite a bit different than german and my german really wasn't as good as I thought it was.

Socialising was largely with my friend and her friends initially, but then I broke loose into the irish pubs and met different people (Austrians as well as english speakers). That's probably the easiest way to meet people and find out the lie of the land, especially if you know noone. Then work at getting to know some locals and before you know it you'll be settled.

Bri

I've a BA in Economics & Politics and now an MA in European Studies specialising in the EU. But I don't necessarily have to go running off to Brussels/Luxemburg/Strasburg. I'd have a way better chance at getting private sector EU-related jobs if I could improve my French (to reasonable levels) given the fact most want some knowledge of the EU and some sorta reasonable IT ability which I do have too. I also might go with a friend but it would have to be a reasonably big place where we could both do our own thing, although a huge city might not be the best for starting out! I was living in Paris last summer which was grand for then but not top of my list. I liked Brugge alot and Belgium seems a good size but a tad mundane. I must say I liked the south of france a few years back, maybe I should consider that - language classes might not be necessary if I just go in at the deep end! :eek:

Hard to know really!

If it helps for suggestions I'm trying to avoid the depressing weather, poor infrastructure and drunk/intellectually challenged mindset of many Irish punters...Hope that's not too offensive*

*That's actually an abreviated list

Sonny Tasty Pantry: Are you being sarcastic?! I don't want to learn Catalan as its a minority language that is (apparantly) very challenging to learn; and given the fact I have already got some Spanish this would strike me as crazy. Also Barca is Spain without the good weather

No haha, it just sounded like you didn't want to pick it up even accidentally . I don't see why you think it's crazy though - loads of people go to Barcelona. Knowing Spanish is enough to live there, the last time I went, all the waiters in the restaurants were Mexican and spoke no Catalan at all.

What about Holland, as someone else suggested? They all speak English so it isn't essential that you learn Dutch right away, you could pick it up easily bit by bit. I actually think the Dutch are great people, some are dull but it seems like the majority are mad. The weather isn't that great but it's better than Ireland!

Bri

Ah Barca is a nice city but I'd rather spent time in Spain learning spanish without the Catalan accent etc. Thanks but no thanks basically!

I'd never considered Holland...anywhere to suggest? Amsterdam would strike me as a bit of a mad place to move to.

Intel

I was living in Paris last summer which was grand for then but not top of my list

Hi Bri. Im planning to get a job in Paris for the summer. I've applied to Euro Disney for 3 jobs but haven't heard back from them yet. Just wondering what kind of job you were working in and how you found it. And also what was general living like there...finding accom etc. Ive been there before many times but never stayed there for a long period. Im a 19 yr old student btw

ixus

Checkout these sites, might be of some help.

http://www.nuim.ie/service/careers/vacwork.shtml

http://www.ie.aiesec.org/

Bri

Thanks alot ixus. Reading them now.

Intel: I didn't work! I stayed in the Irish College in the Latin Quarter of Paris for quite a reasonable rent. Didn't study either which shows their T&Cs to be complete crap. I'm sure I've posted quite a lot about Paris on this forum if you do a search. Any particular questions PM me if you want. Info on saving money on the metro etc should be in those posts.

ixus

Bri wrote:

Thanks alot ixus. Reading them now.

You're welcome!

If you're interested in the TEFL side of things I found this site to be the most informative.

http://www.eslcafe.com/

It covers pretty much every country possible and the forums give peoples experiences & tips for each country.

Also, just a thought, with you're degree and language skills you seem like someone who would gain from working in the civil service (i.e. in embassies around Europe). I'm sure that kind of experience would be invaluable when/if you went into the private sector.

Bri

Yup maybe embassy work in the long run but as for now it's too difficult to get in and too competitive until I beef up what I've got!

Cheers.