Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

[Cabke]

So I've been considering doing something different with my life over the last few months. Things have happened and doors have closed (not going to the University of Nebraska because of financial aid issues, etc.) which I consider a blessing. But with that, I want to do something new. Something that I wouldn't have done before. I've always wanted to live abroad, and I figure that now is as good a time as ever.

I'm a year out of high school with a lot of education aspirations ahead of me. I want to teach high school history for a bit, but I really want to teach at the college level. I plan to get my masters and then Phd shortly after. But, I've always wanted to do something like this and I feel like there isn't going to be a better time in my life. I have nothing holding me here. I have a job that I would leave tomorrow if something better came up, I'm not married and I don't really plan to for the next five or so years. I want to start a family someday, but I'm barely 19. That's way in my future. Like I said, I want to teach history. I'm a huge history nerd, so I would love the UK/Europe for those reasons alone.

My question for everyone is, one, am I crazy? Two, what kind of living expenses would I be looking at (I know we have several UK/Europe OSers)? And if anyone has any experience with this kind of stuff, I'd love some general advice.

I have no doubt I could handle myself. I know I'd run into some homesickness and whatnot, but I'm not your average college student. I have a plan for my life that I still fully intend on following, be it here or somewhere else. If I happen to fall in love with a certain part of the world, I have no problem leaving the US behind entirely. I want a challenge. I want to be outside of my comfort zone. I feel like a situation like this would be the perfect way to both see the world, and challenge myself in different ways.

[Cyros]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I have nothing to offer, but wish you the best of luck. I think living abroad for a period of time would be great, minus trying to catch a football game.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I would say at least visit and talk to people there before committing on moving. Moving to another state already tough on its own. If you already have been there, I would make a trip to just make plans on where you are going to move and possibly find a job.

I hope you would financially ok too because the british pound is 1.60 to every $1.

[Cabke]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I would say at least visit and talk to people there before committing on moving. Moving to another state already tough on its own. If you already have been there, I would make a trip to just make plans on where you are going to move and possibly find a job.

I hope you would financially ok too because the british pound is 1.60 to every $1.

I haven't ever been there and I would for sure visit first. And I know the financial stuff is kinda grim, but I would just need starter cash. I'd get a job and an apartment and everything. It wouldn't be just a couple month tour, you know?

[p_rushing]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

You need to look into the laws for the country you want to move to. Getting a work visa usually requires having a job first and a place to live. If you want to go to school, then it will be easier to get a visa. You most likely aren't going to have an easy time getting a work visa as a teen without a college degree.

[SPTO]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I haven't got much to say except to wish you a ton of luck. I do have some family that live in the UK and who've also live/lived in Europe. Maybe i'll contact some of them and get an idea of what living expenses and such are like.

I'll see what I can do

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I haven't ever been there and I would for sure visit first. And I know the financial stuff is kinda grim, but I would just need starter cash. I'd get a job and an apartment and everything. It wouldn't be just a couple month tour, you know?

I really think you need to do some more research. In order to work in the UK/Europe you need a work visa issued by the country where you intend to work. This visa is not easy to obtain. In fact, most countries only issue work visas to those individuals with special job skills that are in high demand and there are not enough nationals to fill the positions. In addition, you will need to prove some language skills if you choose any country other then the UK.

EDIT: I see p_rushing beat me to it...

[chia51]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

You need to look into the laws for the country you want to move to. Getting a work visa usually requires having a job first and a place to live. If you want to go to school, then it will be easier to get a visa. You most likely aren't going to have an easy time getting a work visa as a teen without a college degree.

I really think you need to do some more research. In order to work in the UK/Europe you need a work visa issued by the country where you intend to work. This visa is not easy to obtain. In fact, most countries only issue work visas to those individuals with special job skills that are in high demand and there are not enough nationals to fill the positions. In addition, you will need to prove some language skills if you choose any country other then the UK.

EDIT: I see p_rushing beat me to it...

THIS 100%... as I have just come from the UK back to the US (work), you need a work Visa, then to get one you will either need a job already or one lined up. And as FF said, the UK right now is really only looking at letting people in for "specialized" jobs right now... they (UK) are having a "go" at trying to cut immigration down for various reasons.

Europe the main countries are pretty much the same. With a US passport you will be able to get in all of the countries with no problem and stay for a bit as each country usually has a 6 month time limit for a stay without a reason (double check that).

I've seen hundreds of Americans take this type of a journey throughout Europe and very rarely does it pan out the way they want it. Don't go without a backup plan and as it has been stated... do your research and good luck.

[Cabke]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

You need to look into the laws for the country you want to move to. Getting a work visa usually requires having a job first and a place to live. If you want to go to school, then it will be easier to get a visa. You most likely aren't going to have an easy time getting a work visa as a teen without a college degree.

I really think you need to do some more research. In order to work in the UK/Europe you need a work visa issued by the country where you intend to work. This visa is not easy to obtain. In fact, most countries only issue work visas to those individuals with special job skills that are in high demand and there are not enough nationals to fill the positions. In addition, you will need to prove some language skills if you choose any country other then the UK.

EDIT: I see p_rushing beat me to it...

THIS 100%... as I have just come from the UK back to the US (work), you need a work Visa, then to get one you will either need a job already or one lined up. And as FF said, the UK right now is really only looking at letting people in for "specialized" jobs right now... they (UK) are having a "go" at trying to cut immigration down for various reasons.

Europe the main countries are pretty much the same. With a US passport you will be able to get in all of the countries with no problem and stay for a bit as each country usually has a 6 month time limit for a stay without a reason (double check that).

I've seen hundreds of Americans take this type of a journey throughout Europe and very rarely does it pan out the way they want it. Don't go without a backup plan and as it has been stated... do your research and good luck.

This is still pretty far off. So I have plenty of time to do research and everything. Don't worry, I'm not just gonna hop on a plane with some cash and a passport and hope I can figure it out. This is more the "should I even be considering it" stage. . One thing I had considered is doing a study abroad program with a local university and using the time I spend there to make contacts for jobs, places to live, etc. That would also be a good way to kind of test it out to see if I would even enjoy it. I've even thought about looking in to going to a university over there. With my main goal being to teach at the university level, I'd love to get a degree in history and just teach at one over there even.

This would still be at least a year off, if not up to three if I do a study abroad program so I'm just sticking my toe in the water. I have some contacts in various places around there that I'm gonna use to get info about jobs and stuff, but I wouldn't do it on a wing and a prayer. I'm gonna be nervous enough going over with a solid job, a house, etc., let alone going over with out everything being concrete.

I totally understand what you're saying chia51. With what you said, maybe a study abroad program would be my best bet just to get my feet on the ground over there. I know with economies the way they are, they aren't just gonna let some random college student walk in. But since I want to go in to education, I bet I can network myself well enough to maybe do it a few years in the future.

I haven't got much to say except to wish you a ton of luck. I do have some family that live in the UK and who've also live/lived in Europe. Maybe i'll contact some of them and get an idea of what living expenses and such are like.

I'll see what I can do

I'd really appreciate that! I just want the basics, like what I should be looking for if I were to go over there. Like I said, I know several people in the UK and Germany (I think) so I'm gonna get in contact with them but I just wanted as much opinion as I can get.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

The reason I knew about the visa deal is because I am at the beginning stages of trying to move to Germany. I am hoping to get my German language certificate sometime in the next 12 months which, with my job skills and the ability to speak fluent English, will hopefully land me a job so I can get the necessary work visa.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

You definitely better know how to speak more then English. The more languages you speak in Europe, the quicker you can find a job as well. Your average european speak 3 languages.

Far as school goes, Europe schools are more advanced then the US. Stuff I was learning in 2nd and 3rd grade over there, kids in the USA wasn't learning until high school.

[Cabke]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

You definitely better know how to speak more then English. The more languages you speak in Europe, the quicker you can find a job as well. Your average european speak 3 languages.

Far as school goes, Europe schools are more advanced then the US. Stuff I was learning in 2nd and 3rd grade over there, kids in the USA wasn't learning until high school.

Well, I only speak English fluently. I can speak a little Spanish and German. That's another reason I was looking at the UK. I'd love to even go to university there. As far as the education levels, I'm not too worried. I've always been a really good student. And since history is my focus, I'm gonna be about par or above any average student over there. Math and science, hell no, but history and writing skills I'm fine. My most likely route will be through a study abroad program.

[p_rushing]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

My most likely route will be through a study abroad program.

I think this is your best bet. Go there while in school, the school will get everything setup and you will be able to get a visa. Then after school if you find you don't like it, you can come back and you won't have wasted any of your life because you would have been in school in the USA anyways.

[Cabke]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

I think this is your best bet. Go there while in school, the school will get everything setup and you will be able to get a visa. Then after school if you find you don't like it, you can come back and you won't have wasted any of your life because you would have been in school in the USA anyways.

Right, it can be my dry run of sorts. If I were to legitimately get a job over there it would most likely be teaching at a university or a secondary school, but something along those lines. Heck, I'd even do whatever their equivalent to a professor's TA would be. That is if I really enjoyed it there.

[chia51]

Re: Moving to the United Kingdom/Europe

Cambridge University is a good place... its kinda out in the "country" kinda... but still only 20-30 minutes from London... the city (cambridge) is extremely nice, you wouldn't need a car as the public transportation is excellent. The nightlife there is phenomenal since its an "International" University pretty much... lots of chicks from around the world. Many, many nights having a "go" (getting drunk) there.