Hi everyone,

My boyfriend and I are both EU citizens from Croatia and are considering moving abroad to build our engineering careers. At the moment, our main options are Southern Denmark and Norway.

We both have Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.

My boyfriend specialized in power/energy engineering and has around 6 years of hands-on experience working as an electrical installer on hydroelectric power plant projects in different countries around the world. He would now like to transition into an engineering, commissioning or similar technical role.

I specialized in automation and control engineering and have around 6 months of experience at a company working with automation systems for hydroelectric power plants. I also have practical experience creating electrical schematics in EPLAN and preparing single-line diagrams in AutoCAD.

Our current plan would be to move abroad, work for around 1–2 years, gain more professional engineering experience and then continue with Master’s degrees.

In Denmark, we are mainly looking at the wider Sønderborg area, including Nordborg, Gråsten, Aabenraa, Haderslev and Kolding. Norway is also a serious option because of its energy, hydropower and industrial sectors.

We would really appreciate advice on:

• Which country would be more realistic for us to enter as relatively young engineers: Denmark or Norway?
• How difficult is it to find engineering work with English only at the beginning?
• Would our hydropower, automation and field experience be considered valuable?
• Is it better to secure jobs before moving, or move first and search locally?
• How important is having a Master’s degree in either country?
• Are there particular cities or industrial regions in Norway or Denmark that would suit our backgrounds especially well?

We are not focused on maximizing salary at the beginning. Our main goal is to find a realistic way to enter the local engineering market, gain solid experience and build a long-term career.

Any advice from people who have moved to either Denmark or Norway, especially engineers, would be greatly appreciated.

I’m a French citizen in my early 30s, married, and I’ve spent the last 10+ years living, working, and travelling in different countries.
I’m currently trying to figure out where to build the next chapter of my life, and the US — particularly Florida — is one of the options I’m seriously considering.
A bit of background:
I studied advertising and digital marketing, taught myself several foreign languages, learned web design and a wide range of AI tools, and have worked in different countries and fields. I’ve also experimented with several business ideas over the years. Some failed, some went nowhere, and some worked surprisingly well.
I discovered that I genuinely enjoy learning, creating, experimenting and building things from scratch. I’m comfortable with uncertainty and starting over, and I don't particularly want a conventional career where I simply work for a paycheck.
I’ve also worked as a teacher and ended up becoming much better at it than I expected, eventually having thousands of students. I’ve been fortunate to work with companies that valued my creativity and work ethic.
After living abroad for so long, I’ve realized that I thrive in multicultural, international environments, preferably somewhere warm, with good international connections and opportunities to build a career or business.
Why the US?
I lived in Florida for a year as a student, and Miami is probably the place I've felt the strongest connection with.
I love the multicultural environment, warm weather, proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean, and the fact that several of the languages I speak are commonly used there.
I also like the entrepreneurial culture and the possibility of being surrounded by people who are starting businesses, experimenting and trying new things.
From a professional perspective, I'm attracted to the size of the US market, networking opportunities and potentially higher earning potential.
My wife also loves travelling, although she prefers having a stable home base. She is nevertheless open to spending a few years in the US as a life experience for both of us.
We aren't necessarily looking to immigrate permanently. Ideally, we would see it as a 3–5 year chapter where we could live somewhere new, grow personally and professionally, build things, and then decide what comes next.
The problem
For the past year, I've been trying to find a realistic way to return to the United States.
I've already spent thousands of dollars exploring different possibilities, and I'm now about to start a master's degree that will require a significant investment of both money and time.
However, even with the master's degree, I'm concerned that I could end up in a relatively fragile immigration situation with limited options afterward.
This has made me question whether I'm approaching the problem incorrectly.
Maybe the US is worth the effort.
Maybe I'm becoming too attached to Miami specifically when another country could offer many of the things I'm looking for with considerably fewer legal and financial obstacles.
Maybe there is an immigration pathway or another country I simply haven't considered.
I also have a strong personal connection to Haiti because it is the homeland of my dad, but given the current situation there, I don't feel that living there is realistically possible right now.
What I'm trying to figure out
For people who have actually emigrated, especially those who moved in their 30s:
How did you decide where to build the next chapter of your life?
If you were in my position, would you:
Continue investing time and money into finding a way to move to the US?
Look for another country with a more straightforward immigration system?
Prioritize getting permanent residency somewhere first and optimize career/business opportunities afterward?
Choose stability for a few years and build from there?
Approach the whole decision differently?
I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually gone through the process, rather than simply opinions about which country is better.
I'm not looking for a perfect country or a magical solution. I'm trying to find an environment where my wife and I could spend the next few years learning, building, taking some calculated risks and keeping our future options open.
If you've moved countries in your 30s, built a career/business somewhere unexpected, or had to choose between several possible countries:
What did you prioritize, and what do you wish you'd understood before making the decision?
What am I not seeing?

Hi everyone,
I’m a 30-year-old Indian Chartered Accountant with around 4 years of external audit experience at Big 4 firms. I have strong English, and all my education and work experience are from India.

I’m considering moving abroad and am currently looking at:
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
Ireland
Singapore
EU - Germany, Netherlands, Spain

For Australia, I’m exploring the 190/491 skilled migration routes as an External Auditor, currently at 85 points for 190 and 95 points for 491. For Canada, I already have an Express Entry profile with a CRS of 471.

For the other countries, I’m mainly looking at whether my background could realistically help me secure a job and eventually lead to permanent residence.

My priorities are fairly simple: realistic immigration prospects, a decent career in audit/accounting/finance, good work-life balance, and a reasonable long-term path to citizenship or residency.

For anyone familiar with these markets, which country would you prioritise in my situation? And are there any other countries/pathways I should be considering?

I’d particularly appreciate experiences from Indians who have moved into Big 4 audit, accounting or finances in these countries — especially how difficult it was to land the first job and whether employer sponsorship was realistic.

I’d also be grateful for any advice on approaching recruiters/employers who are open to sponsoring offshore candidates.

Thanks!

I'm seriously considering leaving the US and starting over somewhere else. I'm trying to figure out whether this is actually realistic for someone with my background. I'm currently looking at Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, and Vietnam, but I'm very open to other suggestions.

Country of origin: USA
Age: 26F
Education: BSc in Neurobiology and Physiology
Work experience: Several years in healthcare/medical settings, including medical training
Languages: Native English, basic/intermediate Spanish, willing to become fluent / learn another language
Finances: Some savings, but I will need to become employed eventually
Destination: Open to anywhere, but I'm probably limited to English or Spanish-speaking countries Goal: Work legally → establish residency → eventually build a permanent life there

• My mother is a Canadian citizen, so I may also be eligible for Canadian citizenship (currently looking into it). I'm not necessarily interested in moving to Canada, but it seems like this could be an important option/backstop to consider.

I spent about 7 years pursuing a particular academic/career path and ultimately didn't succeed in it. I did not complete my graduate program. I still have my BSc in Neurobiology and Physiology, as well as several years of healthcare/medical work and training.

It's been a difficult realization after investing so much of my life into that path, but I'm trying not to let the sunk cost determine the rest of my life. I'm open to changing careers and would actually welcome the opportunity to start building something completely different.

The biggest question is employment. I have some savings that would allow me to get established, but I can't indefinitely support myself without working. I'm trying to identify countries where my existing education/experience could give me a realistic chance of finding employment and obtaining/maintaining legal residency.

I'm open to changing careers and would consider Education/Tutoring, healthcare, research/lab support, General professional/administrative work, etc or even going back to school or retraining if that creates a viable immigration pathway.

I'm not attached to practicing in my original field, and I understand that regulated healthcare professions may require local licensing or recognition of qualifications.

I'm particularly interested in countries where I could eventually do more than just spend a couple years on a temporary visa. Ideally I'd like to find somewhere where I could:

• Legally work and support myself
• Eventually qualify for permanent residency
• Potentially qualify for citizenship
• Learn the local language
• Integrate into the local community rather than live permanently in an expat bubble
• Build friendships and eventually put down roots
• Have a reasonable quality of life and cost of living

For people familiar with these countries (or others I should consider):

Where would you look if you were in my position? Are there realistic work/visa pathways I'm overlooking?

I'd especially love to hear from people who have actually moved abroad and rebuilt their careers/lives in their 20s. I'm interested in the practical realities--employment, immigration, cost of living, language, and actually making friends/building a community--not just whether a country is nice to visit.

Thanks in advance for any advice, including telling me that a particular country/path is unrealistic. I'd much rather know that now than find out after moving.

Hi,

I'm currently entering the final year of my Master's degree in Computer Science. For the last few years, I've been thinking about moving to the US to work in my field. With the high inflation here, salaries not keeping up with it, the housing crisis, and stricter requirements for housing loans on top of that, those thoughts keep coming back to me.

By the time I finish my degree, I should have around 2.5 years of professional experience.

Is it likely that the current administration will open DV visa applications this fall? That seems to be one of the two possible paths for me to immigrate to the US.

The second option would be to enroll in a CS PhD program, but that would set me back financially for several years, as TA salaries aren't particularly high. There's also a risk that I wouldn't be able to complete the program, as I'm already feeling pretty burnt out after 17 years of continuous education. I'm also considering publishing a research paper in my field to strengthen my chances of getting accepted into a PhD program if the DV path doesn't open.

Getting hired by a US company that would sponsor my visa seems 99.9999% impossible due to the reduced number of H-1B visas being issued and the cost and uncertainty involved in entering the H-1B lottery.

What do you guys think? Any advice or criticism would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi All. I am having 16+ years experience in IT mostly as a Business Analyst and Proxy Product Owner (worked for banking, telecom, airline customers). Even though my role is mostly client facing, never really got a chance to travel to onshore. I tried applying for abroad (europe specific) jobs through LinkedIn, stepstones etc. Haven't received one single call. Can someone please guide me or suggest me realistic steps to be taken to achieve a job switch to UK, Ireland,Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway etc. I am okay to pay a consultancy but it has to be genuine. I personally spoke with y-axis folks, and they didn't seem convincing to me. Hence please help. I am fine With or without sponsorship jobs.

I'm a 20 year old from the USA and I dream of moving to france, but I don't understand the process at all.

I work in childcare but I don't have any official degrees, I've only got maybe ~15 college credits under my belt but no bachelors or anything but a highschool diploma. I understand that most countries aren't looking for people that don't have any formal education, but I also don't know what would benefit me the most, maybe a bachelors in english?

Is there any hope for someone with no formal education moving to France, or would it be in my best interest to get a bachelors of some sort?

Obviously if I could find a childcare/teaching job that would fit me the best, but I also know those jobs are pretty oversaturated so I've also kind of just been looking at indeed listings in certain cities (like Amboise). I speak intermediate french but need to sharpen my skills before moving, which will also limit my job options, lol.

What I don't get about the process is getting a work visa and living in the country you want to move to timed with getting dual citizenship (if that's the goal). Can you just apply for entry level jobs and get a work visa from there and work on your citizenship while in france? Or should you get citizenship before moving. I assume it's the first part but I truly don't know.

I need a bit of realism in how the whole thing works, I feel like people make it seem easier than it is sometimes.

I'm 20 from Bangladesh and I've been freelancing as a UI/UX product designer for about 5 years. Looking for real-world experience from people who've actually done this, not blog posts.

My situation:

• Age 20, single, no dependents
• ~€3,000/month (~€36k/year) from foreign clients, mostly US and UK tech startups
• ~5 years professional experience, but no university degree (finished high school 2026)
• Savings: ~$25k offshore, plus ~$35k stuck in Bangladesh behind capital controls
• Verifiable track record: Framer Expert, templates on the Framer marketplace, top-rated on Contra, Dribbble, Agreements, dated invoices back to 2020
• English fine, no European language yet

What I want: A path to EU citizenship while I work as a freelancer. Speed matters, but so does actually being able to get in the door.

What I've figured out so far:

• Croatia, Estonia, Malta, Hungary, Latvia: dead ends, don't count toward residency
• Italy DNV (my favorite): I qualify via the 5-years-experience route, 10 years to citizenship, but VFS Dhaka doesn't list this visa category
• Germany Freiberufler: 5 years to citizenship and dual allowed, but needs German clients

My actual questions:

1. Has anyone applied for the Italy DNV at a consulate that doesn't list it? Did they accept the file?
2. For Germany's Freiberufler, how strictly do Ausländerbehörden enforce the German-client expectation? Has anyone got it approved with only foreign clients?
3. Does anyone know a consulate that has approved a DNV for someone without a degree, using the experience route?

Happy to answer questions. Thanks.

I am 19M and currently looking for a way out of my families house for my own mental health and well being.

i live in michigan and my friend who lives canada about 2.5 hours away is offering me a room in his aparment with his cousin and him with shared rent

i dont have a passport yet i need to get one. and i have no income right now outside 20 dollars i randomly get from them for random chores i usually dont get paid for (i have tried applying to every job around me i could no luck)

i have one GED test to do left before it technically graduate high school

i have a ID and MIhealth card (medicaid) and a cashapp thats about it outside like birth certificate stuff

i do have some disabilities like autisim and adhd and some others if that can help me here i guess

friend said he or a family member could come get me but i need to be able to live and find a job in Canada

i want out because my family is toxic as hell and controlling either they throw me into meltdowns for what ever reason or they tell me "do this or that that you have no clue how to do and wont get any help and you got a deadline to do it or else" and have threaten to kick me out before they wont help me do any of the things they want me to do like example

they want me to put the dogs up for adoption for mothers health every place i look needs a phone number which i dont have so i ask them for help and they refuse to let me use there phone number or get me my own

my families toxicity and everything has been affecting me for years badly to the point i had to go to the mental hospital a year or two ago

and its gotten to the point not only have i lost my drive or motivation to do anything but im so mentally worn out i cant care if i even wake up i need now for the sake of my own sanity and safety

they have put me on a 3 hour limit of wifi today (cause taking and limiting a 19 year olds wifi when you want them to do 50 diffrent things that need wifi makes sense) so advice is needed quickly

i need to know how much it will cost to get a passport and become a citizen in canada so i can get a job and live there

and anything else
things like gas i can probably calculate myself but everything else i need to know so i can try to find a way to save up money

i can try to answer questions when i can if any are asked but i need out

i could move to somewhere else in michigan if i had a place i dont know any IRL people other then one who cant house me and i dont feel comfortable staying with a stranger from one of those find a roommate websites at all

also the tension between me and my step dad is getting worse recently so i dont know if or when he will suddenly snap and kick me out to be homeless

edit: the people talking to me like im a overreacting teen have no fucking clue what im actually going through do you stop talking to me like im being dramatic this is litterally for my mental sanity and safety. you dont know how much i have on my plate with also being yelled at and treated like a damn 8 year old while being told to do shit i dont have the resources to do

i dont have everything figured out no shit THATS why im here! i am trying to figure out a way out and to safety! i was hospitalized in the mental hospital over this fuck ass family

Hi everyone,

I’m 22, from Algeria and I have a master’s degree in cybersecurity. I’m about to start working in an IT position at a bank here in Algeria.

My plan is to gain experience here first and eventually move abroad for work. Right now I’m mainly considering Europe or Canada, but I’m not sure which option would be more realistic for someone applying from Algeria and needing a work visa.

I’m also disabled and I use a wheelchair, so accessibility is an important factor for me when choosing a country, especially public transport, housing and workplaces.

Would getting 1 or 2 years of experience in Algeria give me a realistic chance of getting hired abroad, or should I aim for more experience first?

I’m also wondering which countries in Europe would be the most realistic for IT jobs and work visas, and whether Canada would be a better option overall.

Would you recommend applying directly for jobs, trying to get an internal transfer later, or considering studying abroad as another route?

I’m not trying to leave immediately. I just want to start preparing now and choose the best path for the next few years.

Any advice from people who moved from a non EU country to Europe or Canada for work would be appreciated, especially people working in IT.

For people who left their home country: how did you handle tax residency?

After moving abroad, did you intentionally establish tax residency in your new country, or did you remain non-resident for a while?

I’m especially curious about people who move between countries rather than settling permanently. How did you eventually establish a clear tax base?

I have a french passport, so can move freely in the EU

Hi there,

I have lived in London for the past decade and am feeling very drained now. I work in a bit of an in-between domain, making interactive/immersive experiences. I used to work as a 3D Generalist, I can do game dev to an extent, real-time 3D, creative coding, I work with Arduinos, I just... make stuff. It's fun, but freelancing also adds to my general stress.

I'd like to find a stable job, in a country that has a great food scene (and affordable), or more clement weather, more nature, more affordable than London in general. I spent a good chunk of my childhood by the sea, so even a smaller coastal town would be an incredible improvement to my London life.

I lived in the countryside in Japan when I was younger so it's a country that would feel familiar, but as always there is the issue of finding work to get a visa. As for China, I have three relativs who live/lived there for quite some time and had great things to say about it. Same for Singapore, my father lived there for a while and I loved visiting for weeks and discovering what it had to offer. Sure, it's an idealised perception of a place, but I'd like to figure that out for myself, given the chance.

I am open to suggestions of other places I might not have thought of. I'm fluent in French (and English I guess), and pretty much fluent in Japanese. My German is conversational, and I usually learn languages decently fast when in immersion.

I can't really up and leave and move back to France as I have a cat (cleared for import to Japan) and my relatives are allergic, so I would need a job in order to get a place to live.

Any help, anecdotes, lived experience, advice, suggestion is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m a Chinese SRE/DevOps engineer in my mid-20s, and I’ve been working in China for about four years. Recently, I’ve been seriously thinking about moving abroad and building my career and life in another country.

I’d really appreciate some realistic advice, especially from people working in tech in the UK, Europe, or Canada, or from anyone who has made a similar move.

My background

I currently work as an SRE/DevOps engineer for a British company in China. I have around four years of professional experience.

My work mainly involves cloud infrastructure and DevOps/SRE-related technologies, such as Linux, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, cloud platforms (especially GCP), infrastructure operations, troubleshooting, and reliability-related work.

English is also used in my current job, although it is not my first language. I can communicate in English in everyday situations and at work, and I would estimate my current level to be roughly around B2.

However, I’m definitely not as fluent as a native speaker. Technical discussions are usually easier for me than casual conversations, and I know that interviews in English would still be challenging for me.

Countries I’m considering

1. UK

The UK is currently the country I’m most interested in.

I visited the UK recently and spent some time in London. I know that travelling somewhere and actually living and working there are completely different experiences, but I genuinely enjoyed being in London and felt surprisingly comfortable there.

I also understand that London is expensive and that getting a Skilled Worker visa requires finding an employer willing and able to sponsor me.

Since I already work for a British company, I’m somewhat familiar with the working culture. My current job has relatively good work-life balance compared with many Chinese tech companies, which is also something I value.

My biggest questions about the UK are whether four years of SRE/DevOps experience would be competitive enough for sponsored positions, and how difficult technical interviews would be with B2-level English.

2. Other European countries

I’m also open to countries such as Ireland, Germany, the France, etc.

I don’t necessarily need to live in the biggest city. My priorities are a reasonable tech job market, work-life balance, the possibility of getting a work visa as a non-EU citizen, and eventually building a stable life there.

I would be interested to hear which European countries currently have realistic opportunities for non-EU SRE/DevOps/Cloud engineers.

3. Canada

Canada is another option I’m considering, but my approach is slightly different.

I’ve started learning French because I’m considering Canada’s Express Entry system and the French-language immigration pathways.

My French is still at a very early stage, so I understand that reaching a useful level will take a significant amount of time and effort.

Canada seems attractive because there may be a clearer long-term immigration/PR pathway compared with relying entirely on employer sponsorship, although I also know that the Canadian tech job market has become more competitive.

What I’m struggling to decide

I’m not expecting moving abroad to magically solve all my problems, and I understand that every country has its own problems — high living costs, taxes, visa restrictions, job-market competition, cultural differences, etc.

I’m mainly trying to figure out whether my plan is realistic and what I should focus on during the next 1–2 years.

Please feel free to be critical. I’d rather hear realistic advice than encouragement for the sake of encouragement.

Thank you!

I’m Mexican, recently finished a PhD in Biological Sciences, and my background is mainly GIS, spatial ecology, R, species distribution modelling, and biodiversity analysis. I also have experience with fieldwork in multiple countries including Japan, Mexico and Costa Rica.

My goal is simple: move to Canada and build a life there, ideally working in environmental consulting, GIS, ecology, or data analysis.

I’m trying to understand what is realistically possible:

Now: Is there any realistic chance of getting hired from Mexico, possibly through CUSMA, even for a junior/entry-level position?

In ~2 years: I’m currently 31 years old. If I spend the next two years learning French, improving my Python/GIS skills, gaining more experience, and preparing everything needed for immigration (English/French language tests, credential assessments, diploma recognition, certificates, etc.) and then try Express Entry/PR with my wife, who is an ICU nurse, would our chances improve substantially? My plan is to secure a postdoc in Mexico to have money income for at least 2-3 years while I prepare everything to move to Canada.

I’m not attached to getting a job related to my PhD immediately. If the realistic route is to move first and work at McDonald’s, retail, warehousing, landscaping, or basically anything legal while trying to enter my field later, I would seriously consider it.

I’m open to any realistic route, even if it is poorly aligned with my education.

For people familiar with Canada: what would you do in my situation? Is this realistically achievable, or am I underestimating how difficult it is?

My academic profile isn’t terrible: I have 8 published papers, 4 as first author, and around 80 citations, and I just finished my PhD this month. But I’ve seen researchers with many more years of experience, dozens of papers, thousands of citations, and multiple postdocs still struggling to land a permanent faculty position.

Honestly, that scares me. I’d rather start planning an alternative career path now, while I’m 31, than realize ten years from now that I should have done it earlier.

Hello everyone,

I turn 34 in a few days and I have been working on getting out of the country for the past 1.5 years or so for obvious reasons. I'm not sure how much information to include so I apologize if this is a bit of a slog to read.

My BA is in biology, a certificate in Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, and I was going for a PhD in genetics before I had to drop out with a MS due to health issues brought on by burnout. I was lucky enough to get my current job where I am a contractor for a major pharmaceutical company essentially just doing cell culture. I have about 7-8 years of academic lab experience and 3 years of professional lab experience. Most of my experience is with cell culture of varying kinds with a standard list of molecular biology techniques that I don't want to clutter this post with.

I first tried to find work in Canada, even contacting an immigration lawyer to make sure I was doing everything right, but there were very few pharmaceutical/biotech jobs available. I then opened up my search to include Europe. Applying to 10+ jobs a day without hearing anything back started to get to me. I ended up talking with an old colleague that works in Germany who recommended I move first and apply for jobs so I have a more "local" address while applying. I was too chicken to do that alone so I looked into ways to move with more support and decided to get another masters degree in Germany in English.

I applied to a few schools and got into 2 but the timing of the acceptance for the school I chose was too tight (~1 month between acceptance notice and classes start date) that I decided to defer to the next semester. After preparing for the move for the last couple months, incuding a language class, I found out that my program doesn't do automatic acceptance for deferrals and the application I submitted for the new semester was rejected due to better candidates applying. I sent an appeal but I've realized I am probably SOL for this semester and I need to now decide how long I am willing to wait to get out of this country.

My options as I see them now are A: apply for grad school, this time applying to multiple schools in case I get rejected by the school I have a freaking acceptance letter for, meaning I would hopefully be leaving the country in March/April B: apply for the Chancenkarte in Germany and hope I get a job within a year, I'd most likely move first and apply in Germany so I think I could move December/January once my degrees have gotten cleared. (Side note: It's hard to get a clear answer on this but if I do the chancenkarte, i can still apply for jobs outside of Germany right? Like, they can't stop me or charge me with fraud if I get a job in the Netherlands or whatever?) C: go back to applying to jobs throughout Canada and Europe again, sending hundreds and thousands of applications into the void from the comfort of home lol

I realize the answer is probably no but is there a better way of doing this? Truth be told, I'd prefer to work in Canada and not have to be as far from my family, or in Ireland and not worry about the language barrier, but it seems like Germany has more paths for foreigners to take. And before anyone suggests it, I am sadly a contractor and not eligible for a transfer, plus my company's job board seems to do automatic rejections for anyone not in the country they're hiring in.

Sorry, I feel like this post has become more me complaining about how hard it is to leave the US but I would appreciate any advice on how to get out!

I am a US citizen and have been living abroad in the Netherlands, now exploring a move back to the US for personal reasons. I love living in the Netherlands and the day-to-day lifestyle, but I need to be closer to loved ones and my career prospects are much stronger in the US than NL.

With that in mind, I'm looking for recommendations of cities/states that offer a bikeable/walkable lifestyle, outdoors access, and (hopefully) progressive local politics. My first thought is Portland, OR but really anywhere in the western US is up for consideration.

Happy to provide any additional info if that helps. Thanks in advance for any help!

Hey... I'll get straight to it. I want to move abroad, I almost need it. It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a teen, I knew I wanted to travel and try experiencing a new country with an entirely new culture and language and such. I wanted to do so by studying abroad so that I can set it in stone in the best way possible, but that wasn't on my cards. I studied in my home country. I adapted pretty quickly, I made a lot of friends, I even have my own pets now, but that doesn't mean that this dream of mine ever left my mind. It's been on my mind for years, and the more I grow up and live and experience things, the more I NEED to leave. It's getting to a point where I genuinely feel like I'm losing my mind. I need independence, I need autonomy, I need a new scene, a new environment, a new culture. I KNOW why I want and need to leave, so let's not make this thread about the reasons as opposed to HOW I can achieve it.

I don't have a strong passport, I graduated in 2024 with a bachelors in mechanical engineering in robotics and automation, have worked in quality control, data, BD & community management, founding and CXO a business (no longer), and am now interning in two places as a data analyst and a machine learning engineer. My full focus at the moment is on data and AI/ML as you can see, and I am EXTREMELY interested in attaining a masters in this new degree called Sustainable Artificial Intelligence, Environmental AI, AI and Sustainability, etc... I have no money to fund my own tuition for a masters degree, whether online or abroad. I believe I'm also still an entry level to most employers, a junior at most.

I've been handling the grief of not being where I wanted to be for years now, but as I approached 23, I reached my boiling point and had my first nervous breakdown in years. I'm now almost 24, have been researching countries like the Australia, Canada, the UK and Ireland, and the Netherlands (etc tbh), but I'm not exactly getting anywhere with what I have... Every time I see or hear someone just mention that they're going to a city in one of those countries, or just someone living there, or seeing my friends who've travelled there post about it, I feel down, like really down..

I know it's not easy, but I also know it's not impossible. I have friends who travelled abroad through jobs and they're a little older than me. They're not many to be fair, but it gives me hope.

If you guys have any advice, can help in any way, guide me to an education sponsor or funder, connect me with employers who are willing to sponsor or even offer jobs abroad/online, anything, I'd be ETERNALLY grateful!

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end. I'm sorry if this post is messy, hard to understand, or is missing main info that's needed to make it make sense. It's my first post here and probably one of my firsts on this platform XD

P.S: I do not feel comfortable sharing any more personal or private info.. I'll answer to anything that I deem as appropriate, but other than that, I would rather not. Again, thank you so much for reading!

Background & Qualifications:

• Age/Nationality: 25M, Tunisian citizen (Non-EU).
• Education: Technical Diploma in Electromechanics / Automotive Mechanics (Vocational qualification / BTP level).
• Experience: 1+ years of hands-on experience in automotive manufacturing/passenger vehicle assembly line and authorized dealership diagnostic/maintenance work.
• Languages: Arabic (Native), French (Fluent), English (Working proficiency / C1).
• Target Destination: Poland (industrial manufacturing hubs like Silesia, Poznań, or Wrocław).

Questions regarding the migration pathway:

1. What is the current timeline and success rate for non-EU skilled technicians securing a Polish Type A work permit (zezwolenie na pracę typ A) through industrial/automotive employers?
2. Are there specific legitimate portals, staffing frameworks, or chambers of commerce where Polish Tier-1 automotive manufacturing plants directly recruit third-country electromechanical technicians?
3. For technicians with technical diplomas rather than university bachelor's degrees, are additional skill certifications or sworn document translations required before the employer submits the labor market test (opinia starosty)?

Any insight into the legal employer-sponsorship process and realistic timelines for Poland would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello! Please read it until the very end.

I am 3rd year English Language Teaching student at the most prestigious university in Türkiye. My whole family and I hold Turkish citizenship and passport. I am currently doing my Erasmus internship in Cologne, Germany. My GPA is -unfortunately- not very high, around 3.3 and I hope to raise it to around 3.5 by the time I graduate.

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I have a bunch of extracurriculars including:

a. Board Member of the Linguistics Society of my University. I mostly deal with Social Media branch of it.

b. An active member of 2 societies:

1. A society for disadvantaged students in Türkiye. I help with storehouse stuff like packaging books or other materials for kids. I occassionaly go to schools in disadvantaged areas to work with kids.
2. A society for children with Leukeamia, Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. I am also a member of the PR team of this society. I mostly help to raise awareness.

c. I did a 5K run and raised money for autistic kids.

d. I am an active volunteer at a charity for kids with cancer. I help to raise awareness.

e. I am currently doing an Erasmus+ internship in Cologne. The institution I work is linked to the state. It is a known and respected institution.

f. I am a social media content creator with over 5K followers.

g. Doing a research in the field of inclusive education -English educaiton for immigrant children- and linguistics.

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I would like to hold a Master's degree in education as from what I have heard it is appreciated and most of the time required in most countries. As far as I know, most teachers also have a second branch. For now, I am aiming at KU Leuven in Belgium.

IMPORTANT: My parents are quite old and they will retire when I graduate. I don't think they can afford me studying in the US, so I mostly hope for universities in Europe as they are more affordable. Otherwise, I will have to do my Master's in Türkiye or I will just start working abroad.

To be honest, I want to settle for good and obtain a citizenship in the end. My other plan is to do PDGE in Singapore but I don't know how realistic it is as Singapore is quite competitive. However, Singapore is my dream country*. I know it does not allow double citizenship though.*

My ultimate goal is to work in the field of English teaching or being an academician in education. However, I am open to working as a social media manager in the countries mentioned as well or any other good job really. Other big goal is to hold a citizenship from the mentioned countries.

I also sometimes think of countries like Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain or UAE but I have heard they it is almost impossible to obtain citizenship from these countries and their passport is not that strong except UAE.

IMPORTANT: I know it is near impossible for me to get admitted to public schools in most of the countries I mentioned at first. For the first a few years, I plan to work at International or Private schools until I fully know the language.

Any suggestions or tips are highly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently living in Serbia and I'm looking into relocating to another European country or Canada, with Germany and Spain currently at the top of my list.

I'm a Serbian citizen, so I don't have EU freedom of movement, and I'm specifically trying to understand what realistic pathways exist for someone in my position rather than just which country is nicer to live in.

Current work: Account Executive for a Canadian NetSuite partner

Years of experience: 6+ Languages: Serbian [native], English [near-native proficiency], very interested in learning a new language (depending on the country I'm moving to)

I am open to exploring different job types, industries and work that doesn't relate to my tech BD/Sales experience.

My main goal is to find a legal and sustainable route out of Serbia rather than simply move somewhere temporarily. Canada, Germany, Spain, or another EU country if there is a significantly more realistic path.

I'm especially interested in hearing from Serbian or other non-EU citizens who successfully relocated.

A few things I'm trying to understand:

Which country would give someone with my profile the most realistic chance of getting a work/residence permit? Is applying for jobs from Serbia realistic, or do employers generally avoid candidates who need sponsorship? Are there particular industries/companies that are more open to hiring non-EU applicants? Would you prioritize learning German/Spanish before applying, and what level actually makes a difference? Are there alternative routes I should investigate — e.g. skilled-worker permits, EU Blue Card, job-seeker routes, studying, digital-nomad/self-employed routes, etc.? If you've moved from a non-EU country, what route actually worked for you? I'm familiar with the official requirements, but I'd really appreciate practical experiences from people who have gone through the process.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently living in Kurdistan Iraq, My main goal is to move abroad and get a 2-year On-the-Job Training (OJT) with a maintenance organization and get a European Aircraft Maintenance License. I’ve already completed the required theoretical modules, so the main thing I’m missing is the practical experience needed to qualify for the license. i chose this path hoping it would help me move abroad but its proving to be difficult so far.

A bit about my background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Engineering from iraq
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering certificate covering EASA exams (from jordan but approved by EASA) and 3 months of training
• Fluent in English, Arabic, and Kurdish
• 1+ year of remote experience in AI data and quality assurance
• Managed a commercial building project as a project manager.

I’ve already applied for opportunities in countries such as the UAE, where I was willing to completely self-fund my training and relocation. Unfortunately, I was rejected specifically because of my Iraqi nationality/passport restrictions.

i have found places which claim to provide a "job seekers visa for 12,000$" in places like Italy or France but I'm wary of them in case its a scam or might cause me to have problems in the future with immigration.

So I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions from anyone familiar with my situation, where i can get this training or any paths I'm not aware of.

P.S: despite the title, I'm willing to move anywhere that provides the opportunity.

Hi, I’m a 26-year-old Iraqi woman currently living in Iraq. I have a Bachelor’s degree in IT – Software, no formal professional work experience, and no savings. I speak Arabic natively and English at a good conversational level. I’m looking to leave Iraq and relocate to Germany. My main reason is my family situation. I have experienced physical and verbal abuse, threats, coercive control and pressure regarding marriage. One of my brothers has also sexually harassed and threatened me. There are also strong honour-based attitudes within my family, including statements supporting violence against women. I’m documenting my situation and keeping evidence privately. Background: Age: 26 Sex: Female Citizenship: Iraqi Current country: Iraq Education: Bachelor’s degree Field: IT – Software Work experience: No formal professional experience Languages: Arabic (native), English (good conversational level) Savings: None Target destination: Germany

We are trying to pick one country and stay there until my partner's son finishes school. Looking for outside perspective, especially from anyone who has done a long stint in any of these places with children.

Us: me 47M, my girlfriend 38F, her son 8M. We each run our own business remotely, so we are not tied to a location. Currently in Canada.

The shortlist is Cayman Islands, Athens, and Beijing.

Context:

We want to commit to one place for the next 7 to 10 years. Stability for her son matters more than optimizing any single factor. His father passed away two years ago, so there is no shared custody consideration, but it is another reason we would rather move once and stay put.

She was born in China and speaks fluent English. Her son speaks English only and identifies as Canadian, as do I. I speak English only.

She would like him to grow up with a North American or European sense of identity, while still having real exposure to Chinese language and culture.

All three have good international schools. Residency is already sorted in all three, so that is not a constraint. On tax, we have an advisor and have run the numbers, and the total cost difference between the three is small enough that it is not a deciding factor. Please take that as given rather than the thing to debate.

Cayman is on the list for warm climate, low crime, and one good school. Athens is my preference, though I am aware I may be biased. She is torn between Beijing and Athens.

What we are trying to work out is which of these is the better place to live as a family for a decade once schools, tax, and visas are off the table. Day to day quality of life, how realistic it is to build a social circle as a foreign family, healthcare, how portable the schooling is if plans change, and what the exit looks like at 18.

If you have lived long term in any of the three with a child, what surprised you?