Foo - working/living overseas?

I'd love to hear some of the experiences, good and bad, of foosters who have worked and lived overseas.

how was it finding work, how was the bureacracy of it all...

and for what its worth I'm a RN and my wife is a middle school science teacher.

thanks
rollo

You have a specific region or specific experiences, you're thinking about?

well, my wife and I have toured Germany together and we really liked N. Europe.

we're both conversational in Spanish and have lived a bit in Central America.

I guess I'm curious about trying to live somewhere in Europe... how is it trying to find work in our current fields... whats the whole expatriate lifestyle like... we're just both getting a bit antsy in our current situations and thinking of change. looking at what opportunities are there overseas.

Sorry, can't help ya. You want to talk Republic of South Africa, I'm your man. Europe, not so much.

We have been in Costa Rica for a while. It has worked very well for us, but it isn't for everyone. The biggest thing is why you go someplace. If you like the people and the climate, often you will do okay. If you go because it is cheaper, usually you will suffer, because you will expect it to be like back home, and it won't be.

You have to keep in mind you are outnumbered, YOU will have to adapt, they aren't going to.

my sister was a music teacher here in the US. in london, its apparently very difficult to get a teaching job because they want to take UK citizens first, then EU nationals, then everybody else. her husband was transferred there for work, probably unlikely for both you and your wife given your employers.

Look in New Zealand or Australia, often they need RNs so bad they will give you a visa no problem.

Other than that i have nothing for you, but i know it is hard as hell to get a working permit in europe for americans.

It can be difficult for licensed/certified professionals (law, healthcare, accounting, engineering, architecture, etc.) from one country to meet the licensure/certification requirements of another country so that you can work in your profession. At my clinic, we have people working in our lab who were trained and licensed as physicians in their home country. But their training and licensure does not meet our requirements. If you were trained in a First World country and wish to move to a country that has a shortage of your particular profession, it is generally easier to find work.

Are tech (namely IT/sysadmin) jobs in any demand in Europe or other places? I have no earthly clue.

I'm from South Africa, and have lived in London UK for 18 months, and in Zürich Switzerland for the last 9 years. I'd be happy to answer more specific questions if you have.

If you do it, don't be an "Ugly American". You're in someone else's house.

dude, if I go overseas I will work hard at not being the ugly american...

thats most likely one of our main goals- stepping out of the American culture and seeing a bit more of how the majority of the world lives...

anybody worked in any of the Dept of Defense schools? Foreign Service?