Americans that moved abroad after school (apartment, hotel, homes)

[schmidt486]

I am in college right now and have met quite a few people through my employment at International Affairs that moved abroad for a few years after graduating. Has anyone done this? I'm just curious about what you thought about the whole experience. If so, where did you go to school.. where did you move.. how was it? Even if you didnt graduate school, were you in your 20s and living abroad? I'd like to hear those, too.

Thanks a ton.

[charolastra00]

I'll be able to tell you in a few weeks. :P I'm in college (Brandeis University) but will be spending all of this year abroad- first spending the summer in Iceland, then fall in Mexico, and spring and probably next summer in England. England will be the most "authentic" experience since I'll be living in a flat rather than traveling and various homestays. After that, I plan on getting my masters abroad.

[nitokenshi]

I studied abroad in Japan for a month I plan on going back for ever after I graduate. I didn't get the feel of "living" there really I stayed in a hotel and was in a group.

[fp1978]

I was stationed in Germany for years while I was in the Army and going to school in my spare time if that counts. It was a great experience, especially if you like history.

I would love to go back. Not so much because I want to live in another country, but because my fiancee is over there (for the next couple of years anyway).

[BlueWillowPlate]

I never spent more than 3 consecutive months abroad, but that was well worth it. The language immersion alone was fascinating and empowering.
My kid moved to France after grad school, has a job and apartment there, and no immediate plans to return. Right now is a good time to be earning euros rather than US dollars.

[fp1978]

The biggest problem with all of this is that the unemployment rate in Europe is sky high.
Here is the US it is somewhere around 5.5% the last I heard, which for us is considered high; over the past 5 years or so it has been in the 4-5% range (which many consider to be "full employment"). In many countries in Europe it is not at all uncommon to see unemployment rates of 10-12% as the average. So finding a job there is generally much more difficult than finding one in the US, especially if you are not an EU citizen.

[*~Eva~*]

Originally Posted by fp1978

The biggest problem with all of this is that the unemployment rate in Europe is sky high.
Here is the US it is somewhere around 5.5% the last I heard, which for us is considered high; over the past 5 years or so it has been in the 4-5% range (which many consider to be "full employment"). In many countries in Europe it is not at all uncommon to see unemployment rates of 10-12% as the average. So finding a job there is generally much more difficult than finding one in the US, especially if you are not an EU citizen.

you are right. in germany the unemployment rates is about 8 %. And how you said, it more difficult especially if you are not an EU citizen... There are also many young people who haven´t got a job... But if you are good enough, you will get a job

I don't know how it is in other European countries... but I know how it is in germany.

[DontH8Me]

Well, I moved to Europe three days after I graduated high school in Los Angeles, CA, and I ended up staying for almost 8 years. I didn't worry about getting a job - I just created my own business. It was an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world - I learned much about independence and survival, as well as myriad cultures and languages.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by DontH8Me

Well, I moved to Europe three days after I graduated high school in Los Angeles, CA, and I ended up staying for almost 8 years.

A young friend of mine did the same thing. She ended up staying about 5 years, and marrying a European. She has since returned to the States (with her spouse).
Her experience sounded much as DontH8 describes: empowering and enriching.
If you have the marketable skills, it is not impossible to move abroad.

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

A young friend of mine did the same thing. She ended up staying about 5 years, and marrying a European. She has since returned to the States (with her spouse).
Her experience sounded much as DontH8 describes: empowering and enriching.
If you have the marketable skills, it is not impossible to move abroad.

Ditto for me on marrying the European, and bringing back the spouse (although we have since parted ways). I still go back as frequently as I can, and will be seeing my old haunts again in a few weeks from now.

I agree about the marketable skills - but also instinctiveness and intuitiveness. I would not recommend it for someone who has lived a sheltered "coccoon" life growing up. Europe can really chew you up and spit you out if you can't fend for yourself. I don't know about other continents enough so I'm speaking only of Europe.