Moving to Europe

Hey guys. I live in the U.S. and I will be graduating from my university this december. Now I have done tons of research regarding this, but I want to go to university and get my masters in Europe. I have primarialy done research on UK universities, namely those in Scotland. I would be interested in studying medieval history or linguistics. Obviously I speak English, and I speak a little French, but no other languages, so I am limited to start with unless I embark on learing another language.

I am also considering just going over to Europe to work for a year, but getting a work permit/ work visa seems very difficult. I have had my sights set on Scotland so far, but there are many other countries that seem very interesting to live and work in at least for awhile. I am very open to where I would go in Europe. How easy will it be for me to get work if I try to learn a countries local language and have an American degree? Any feedback about any European country would be very welcome (since I know many of you live in Europe).

Nowadays it's always hard to migrate, but since you have a bachelor degree you should be able to find work, if you learn Dutch or German or Danish or anything.
Anyway if you want to do you're masters in Europe you don't have to learn any language, nowadays all masters are in English.
It also depends on the country I think, some countries are more open then the other. And normally having a master is better then a bachelor degree

The UK is the most obvious choice for you, but if you're willing to cope with a few language problems it would probably be more interesting to go to another country. Courses should be no problem, masters are always in English as far as I know.

Scandinavian countries are particulary known for their excellent English and politeness (so that you don't get the "speak [national language]!"
Personally I think that if I'm ever going to emigrate it will be to Sweden.

Looking at Scotland... you may well have some language problems. I certainly can't understand the natives - and I've been here a year!

All I can offer you is cooking advice.

I have looked at Scotland the most by far but there are others (but this is because of their universities) . Some of the other countries I have looked at in detail are: England, Switzerland, Germany, and now I'm kind of looking into Sweden. I will continue to look at other countires too.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys, and keep it coming!

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Originally Posted by Darth Nihilus

I speak a little French

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http://www.edufrance.fr/en/index.htm

Germany. We can speak English for the most part (especially the younger generations), and the food is unrivalled in my mind.

Just to get in before the inevitable bashers-

Don't listen to anyone who tells you our food isn't any good. It's fine.

Come to Scotland! We have whisky!

I'm rather confused about how non-English speaking countries work. I have heard that the masters programs in say.... Germany can be taken in English, but you need to be profecient to get in? Very confusing to me. If I went to a non-English speaking country I would do my best to learn the language, but I wouldn't be profecient enough to be taught in it.

I advise against coming to Armenia as of now, just in case that was your back-up choice.
Really, I would get into Football if I was an American going to Europe. Most everyone is, and Football matches are great fun to play and to watch.

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Originally Posted by IrishArmenian

I advise against coming to Armenia as of now, just in case that was your back-up choice.
Really, I would get into Football if I was an American going to Europe. Most everyone is, and Football matches are great fun to play and to watch.

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Yeah, Armenia is the place to go! You heard it here first. Go Armenia! Even Irish Armenia! :dizzy2:

Personally, I'd say come to the UK and you can easily and cheaply travel to continental Europe if you wish. If you prefer the continent then go to the Netherlands, Germany, or Scandinavia. Don't go to France or any of the other 'Latin' countries unless you know the languages well. This especially applies to France because, beautiful country though it is, they will treat you as shit as an 'Anglo' and expect you to speak perfect French all the time.

Go to Beautiful Bosnia. I hear you can't find cheaper Organ Harvestors or Prostitutes than the Lovely University of Sarajevo. Just be careful, if you get tangled up with the wrong girl, their family might point a gun to your head, force you to marry and send you packing on a jet back to the US.

...All Jokes Aside. Don't go to Bosnia.

On a Side Note: Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia are fine. I'm still not quite sure how I got through the checkpoint in Dvor... but I'll never speak to my comrades I went in with again. Getting in was fine... but getting past the ONPROFOR back into Croatia was hell. At one point we we're determined to Hike Back into Croatia if we had to and ditch the vehicle. The only thing that saved us is that we were young, stupid, and didn't speak the Native Language. The French Officer at the security point was kind enough to let us back through, without any ID or Paperwork and told us kindly to never come back. You could just tell by looking into his eyes that he wanted to jump into the Car with us.

If you ever do consider the former Yugoslavia, go to Slovenia. I'm not saying
that just because I seemingly am the Slovenian Ministry for Tourism here, no.
The language may cause you to lose your hair, your tongue, and possibly an
eye, but it should be worth it.

Being a native of Scotland, I would turn you away from coming here, but many
people come here, and [suprisingly] like it.

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Originally Posted by Kralizec

Scandinavian countries are particulary known for their excellent English and politeness

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You have obviously never been to Denmark, excellent english yes, polite, oh noes.

I'm rather confused about how non-English speaking countries work. I have heard that the masters programs in say.... Germany can be taken in English, but you need to be profecient to get in? Very confusing to me. If I went to a non-English speaking country I would do my best to learn the language, but I wouldn't be profecient enough to be taught in it.

Most universities teach in english here, but you will have to put up with a rather odd english, most of our teachers think a little bit too highly of their language skills, leading to pretty hilarious situations.

Nobody suggests Belgium :no:

At the KU Leuven, they have master programs in English. I guess the other universities of our country offer the same.

We have delicious food and, more important, the best beer in the world.

And you're situated in the heart of Europ, so visiting other countries is very easy.

A lot of belgians speak english and won't have a "speak our language!"-attitude, we only do that to our fellow belgians who speak the other language :shame: (the inhabitants of the Northern part speak Dutch, southern French).

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Originally Posted by Fragony

You have obviously never been to Denmark, excellent english yes, polite, oh noes.

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We don't like the Dutch... too arrogant. :furious3:

Americans on the other hand :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Sigurd Fafnesbane

We don't like the Dutch... too arrogant. :furious3:

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We dutch are above arrogance, we are so good we don't need it ~;)

*cough*

erhh no even worse

*vomits*

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Originally Posted by Darth Nihilus

I have looked at Scotland the most by far but there are others (but this is because of their universities) . Some of the other countries I have looked at in detail are: England, Switzerland, Germany, and now I'm kind of looking into Sweden. I will continue to look at other countires too.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys, and keep it coming!

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If you have any questions regarding Switzerland I can always help you. I must warn you, however. To find a job here as an American (or any other non-EU member) is neigh impossible unless you can offer something that there is a great need for here.

Everyone should experience at least one year abroad; if possible even on a different continent. It enriches life immesuarably.

Quid

Go to Germany. :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon

Go to Germany. :2thumbsup:

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Sometimes I get the feeling you like Germany. Ah well what is there not to like? Threadstarter should bear in mind that german universiteties can be pretty picky with some sciences, the main reason all the lesser germans study psychology in the Netherlands and Belgium :laugh4:

sorry A. Saturnus I guess I did that on purpose buahaha me so naughty

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Originally Posted by Fragony

Sometimes I get the feeling you like Germany. Ah well what is there not to like? Threadstarter should bear in mind that german universiteties can be pretty picky with some sciences, the main reason all the lesser germans study psychology in the Netherlands and Belgium :laugh4:

sorry A. Saturnus I guess I did that on purpose buahaha me so naughty

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Of course I like Germany. Germans pwn.

I'm goin there in November BTW. :2thumbsup:

Why do Germans PWN? Dodn't they get pwnd in the last two, oops my bad... sorry:shame:

Pah, bugger Europe, come to NZ m8! Me and you can have a good time in Wellington, you can go see all the places where they shot LOTR!

All the responses have been great so far, thanks guys. Since I'll be graduating from my university in 2 months I want to go see the world. I have always wanted to live in Europe. Like I previously stated, I have done quite a bit a of research, but many of you live in these countires and obviously know more than I could ever hope to find out on the internet here in the states. Many of these countries seem really cool to go to, but there are some things that make me lean towards certian countries more than others, and this is just from what I've heard so I don't want to come across as a clueless American.

Here are some problems I've encountered:
1. Like I said earlier, when it comes to going to college (however I may come to Europe just to work instead so it would nullify this "problem"), they say (non-English speaking universities) that they supposedly teach postgraduate classes in English, but I need to be fluent in the country's language to get into the university. Well, that rules out a lot of colleges in Europe :furious3:

2. Naturally there are languare barriers even if I don't go to university, although I will want to learn the language of the place I go to, but it isn't as problematic as being taught college courses in the foreign language.

3. From what I have read it is extremely difficult to get a good job (or to get decent work for that matter) as a foreigner, and I have heard it is most difficult in western and northern European countries.

4. Some of the countries that appeal to me the most I have read that they are quite expensive, although I live in a nice city here in the US, so I'm not sure how comparable it is. Some of the countries that are expensive that I'm talking about are Switzerland, Germany, England, and Scotland.

5. I don't want this to come off wrong........but I don't really want to live in a poor country either. And while I'm on the topic, I prefer a place that's somewhat safe too. I realize that every place has crime, I have read that some countries are not very safe.

Like I said I have not been to Europe so I don't mean to generalize anyone's country.

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Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar

Why do Germans PWN? Dodn't they get pwnd in the last two, oops my bad... sorry:shame:

Pah, bugger Europe, come to NZ m8! Me and you can have a good time in Wellington, you can go see all the places where they shot LOTR!

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I know the country you live in at least. :furious3:

:laugh4:

...but seriously :shame: