We started applying after Jan 6th. Once there was no real response holding those leading a violent coup to overthrow the nation, it was time to go. It took years, but away we are.
The GOP has spent decades cancelling my grants and fucking with my career. The lastest round of cancellations this year is just a swansong and a final goodbye. Fuck em, I’ll teach engineers in Europe instead. Added bonuses: real healthcare, my kids won’t have huge student loan debt, the trains go everywhere, and the food is better.
Unfortunately, I’m barely monolingual in English. If you have any recommendations for expats, I’d love to hear them - especially for someone that only knows English.
We’re mostly monolingual in English too. Berlin is 30% first and second gen immigrants now. The lingua franca is English here. Not all jobs will let you be English only, but there’s some out there. Going shopping and stuff? You’ll be okay.
Learning the local language should be high on your list anywhere you move to, even if it’s another English dialect, eh?
You will be absolutely fine speaking only English to start with in the nordics as well, especially if you can land a position in one of the capitals. You will be required to (and absolutely should!) learn the national language if you mean to fully migrate and become a citizen, but I’ve known people who’ve lived and worked here for decades who still only have a tenous grasp on Danish.
Once you master all the business with half twenties it’s just a matter of memorising which article randomly goes with every noun, knowing you’ll sound crazy if you get it wrong.
Yeah that’s why I specified about the niche roles. If you want to work as a postman you will have to be proficient in the local language. If you are highly specialised, especially in a field that is in high demand, people are going to cater to you.
The multinational corporations I’ve worked with in Copenhagen were English language, from the executive suite to the mail room.
And while it’s true you’ll need to offer a skill that’s in demand, the list currently includes hairdresser, baker and landscape gardener among others, not to mention pretty much all the trades, and none of them requires a diploma.
I’m sure there’s many more how to guides out there.
Big one is work, of course. Start applying now. If you score a contract for a long term job you’ll be in great shape.
If you can afford to job hunt for a bit, most people with degrees can get a ChanceKarte visa. That’ll let you move without a job and search/interview for a year, even work small jobs while you land a full time gig.
Start early on reaching visa processes. They’re not hard, just confusing in places.
Sweep up your important docs early. Get your work history documented, ideally any contracts you had for old jobs and letters of recommendation.
Patience matters. Immigration can be slow and opaque. Fortunately it’s not expensive for Germany, just paperwork heavy.
Engineering has a good chance for an English speaking job. Perseverance will make it happen if you want it.
We started applying after Jan 6th. Once there was no real response holding those leading a violent coup to overthrow the nation, it was time to go. It took years, but away we are.
The GOP has spent decades cancelling my grants and fucking with my career. The lastest round of cancellations this year is just a swansong and a final goodbye. Fuck em, I’ll teach engineers in Europe instead. Added bonuses: real healthcare, my kids won’t have huge student loan debt, the trains go everywhere, and the food is better.
Unfortunately, I’m barely monolingual in English. If you have any recommendations for expats, I’d love to hear them - especially for someone that only knows English.
We’re mostly monolingual in English too. Berlin is 30% first and second gen immigrants now. The lingua franca is English here. Not all jobs will let you be English only, but there’s some out there. Going shopping and stuff? You’ll be okay.
Learning the local language should be high on your list anywhere you move to, even if it’s another English dialect, eh?
UK, Ireland, Luxembourg.
The more niche your field is, the more acceptable English will be anyway everywhere else.
You will be absolutely fine speaking only English to start with in the nordics as well, especially if you can land a position in one of the capitals. You will be required to (and absolutely should!) learn the national language if you mean to fully migrate and become a citizen, but I’ve known people who’ve lived and worked here for decades who still only have a tenous grasp on Danish.
To be fair, the Danish people themselves only have a tenuous grasp on Danish
Once you master all the business with half twenties it’s just a matter of memorising which article randomly goes with every noun, knowing you’ll sound crazy if you get it wrong.
Easy peasy, or as they say here, “kamelåså”!
Yeah that’s why I specified about the niche roles. If you want to work as a postman you will have to be proficient in the local language. If you are highly specialised, especially in a field that is in high demand, people are going to cater to you.
The multinational corporations I’ve worked with in Copenhagen were English language, from the executive suite to the mail room.
And while it’s true you’ll need to offer a skill that’s in demand, the list currently includes hairdresser, baker and landscape gardener among others, not to mention pretty much all the trades, and none of them requires a diploma.
Do you have any tips for American engineers trying to move over?
I’m sure there’s many more how to guides out there.
Big one is work, of course. Start applying now. If you score a contract for a long term job you’ll be in great shape.
If you can afford to job hunt for a bit, most people with degrees can get a ChanceKarte visa. That’ll let you move without a job and search/interview for a year, even work small jobs while you land a full time gig.
Start early on reaching visa processes. They’re not hard, just confusing in places.
Sweep up your important docs early. Get your work history documented, ideally any contracts you had for old jobs and letters of recommendation.
Patience matters. Immigration can be slow and opaque. Fortunately it’s not expensive for Germany, just paperwork heavy.
Engineering has a good chance for an English speaking job. Perseverance will make it happen if you want it.
Metric system.