Yeah - I moved to Canada with a friend when I was 18, didn't know anyone in Canada nor did we have a plan besides our first week booked at a hostel, but it all kind of just fell in to place and went great for me. Only came back for family reasons, so I've decided Canada is still a high option on my list next year if I can't get to the US another way. But I can imagine it would be incredibly hard not speaking English as well as not knowing anyone.
Which are your reasons for emigration?
- Thread starter Rachel1812
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Yeah - I moved to Canada with a friend when I was 18, didn't know anyone in Canada nor did we have a plan besides our first week booked at a hostel, but it all kind of just fell in to place and went great for me. Only came back for family reasons, so I've decided Canada is still a high option on my list next year if I can't get to the US another way. But I can imagine it would be incredibly hard not speaking English as well as not knowing anyone.
Vichel
Registered Users (C)
Wow, are you ever off base with that. "Do not accept diversity"? ... rubbish! At my workplace in Perth, I worked with people from all over the world: Burma, Belgium, Kenya, Goa, Canada, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the UK, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bosnia, Singapore, Malaysia, etc., etc. All in various high responsibility, qualified positions. Australia is less politically correct than other Western countries, but there is no institutionalized racism or non-acceptance of diversity. Smaller cities may be less diverse now but go to Melbourne and there's no way you can say that.
And as far as hospitals in Australia, even with private insurance, you won't have to spend all your savings if you get sick. There is universal public health, as well as very affordable private health insurance (compared to the US). Plus it's not tied to your employer, so you don't have to stick with a job you hate just because of the health insurance. The US is better for a lot of things but Australia kicks the USA's butt when it comes to access to affordable healthcare and health insurance. That's the one thing that worries us about going to the US - the healthcare. Yeah, they have amazing research facilities and hospitals but the insurance costs are ridiculous. Too bad Obamacare didn't toss out the greedy health insurance companies and do some major tort reform to really make a difference.
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Qewty
Registered Users (C)
I agree with you there Vichel - healthcare is one of the biggest things we need to deal with if we return to the US. And yes, there are many things the US have that Australia does not, but I would also reverse that, we have a lifestyle that is certainly beyond par of the US in a lot of ways. Despite the economic downturn of the last 5 years, Australia's economy had enough bolster to take the brunt of it quite well, and continues to be strong compared to the US and other countries in Europe. One only has to look at our debt compared to others. Our miliary is relative to our size, so I don't think that's a comparison really.
It all boils down to what you deem as important, or what you want I guess. Everyone see's things differently.
Every country has racism, but Australia also has incredible diversity, and our immigration is the source.
Q
It all boils down to what you deem as important, or what you want I guess. Everyone see's things differently.
Every country has racism, but Australia also has incredible diversity, and our immigration is the source.
Q
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Princedriss,
Wow! Some pretty broad unsubstantiated, opinionated claims you seem to be making here, if I may say so.
I believe there's a big difference between living in a country for a couple of years and simply visiting. There's no basis for comparison if you've not actually lived in any of these countries, of course outside of the US and your home country. \
Wow! Some pretty broad unsubstantiated, opinionated claims you seem to be making here, if I may say so.
I believe there's a big difference between living in a country for a couple of years and simply visiting. There's no basis for comparison if you've not actually lived in any of these countries, of course outside of the US and your home country. \
Princedriss
Registered Users (C)
I have never been in Australia, of course it is one of the top country that is attrackting immigration, but let's not be subjective, we cant compare both countries, Australia can be compared to canada because the same size of population. US is huge country, with big source of water that AUssy are looking for, with different weathers in one day. It is a big market of 350 millions people and has the best infrastructure in the world. US has a black president, and US people do not have complexe , they are easy going far from complexes of the europeans. US is totally indepandant from UK and its ideology, Australia still with the commenwealth and under the queen. US treat every immigrant equally, a german who want to immigrate to US should persue the same path to have a Green Card than a kenyan or Tunisian immigrant, whereas the UK immigrant can be favorised in Australia than an african immigrant.
That what makes the strengh of the US, everybody is equal , no discrimination based on race, religion or nationality. Australia is good but US is far better.
That what makes the strengh of the US, everybody is equal , no discrimination based on race, religion or nationality. Australia is good but US is far better.
Princedriss
Registered Users (C)
obee, u don't need to be there to know the facts. All informations are existing online
obee, u don't need to be there to know the facts. All informations are existing online
Then u do know that one man's meat may be another's poison.Its the same thing with the US & the rest of the world;others sail thru & others sink.Anywhere in the world,u will always have the ....isms(racism,tribalism,nepotism et al) & thus u need to develop thick skin & move on.
Check out this link http://newamericamedia.org/2010/12/...y-visas-lucky-immigrants-adrift-and-alone.php
From the above link,one would be demoralized about going to the US but their case is an exception since I've heard of ppl who r thriving.This applies to anywhere else in the world,some will make it,others wont...natural selection at its best.
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Princedriss
Registered Users (C)
obee, if you dont have american diplomas don't really dream about a good job position with a desk and suit, I know US quite well, they want you to study and geta diploma and they good life will open for you.
hmmm...the good thing with my line of work is that I don't get to dress up & its field based.I am aware that u need to get their "papers" in order to have an advantage & by all means intend to do that(not only for the job itself but also broaden my skill set)
Thanks for the heads up
.
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Princedriss
Registered Users (C)
hmmm...the good thing with my line of work is that I don't get to dress up & its field based.I am aware that u need to get their "papers" in order to have an advantage & by all means intend to to that(not only for the job itself but also broaden my skill set)
Thanks for the heads up
The first thing that i advise any immigrant from any part of the world when he come to USA is : go to the nearest university and get enrolled in a program.
Education is very very important in the US, and US diplomas are reward highly comparing overseas ones
It has ALWAYS been my dream to live in the US, especially in California....But I think im gonna give a try to the UK (Im italian citizen), and I see 2 big advantages of the UK over the USA, free healthcare, and VACATION TIME, you get 28 days by law, that would allow me to return to Argentina every year and visit my family.
In the USA there are no legal vacations, most people get just a week during their first years in a job, with only one week It would be hard to visit, considering I would spend 2 days traveling.
I also dont like that in the USA there is no work/life balance (for most people), they work a LOT, in May i stayed a month with my friend from Chicago, and her parents left their home everyday 8am and they came back around 8:30pm, they were exhausted, as soon as they would arrived they crashed on a sofa to eat fast food (cos they were too tired to cook), they wouldnt even talk to each other, the father ate in the computer (answering job emails), mother on the sofa...
Ive realized that my parents in this crappy south american country with many less material things are MUCH happier than them...
In the USA there are no legal vacations, most people get just a week during their first years in a job, with only one week It would be hard to visit, considering I would spend 2 days traveling.
I also dont like that in the USA there is no work/life balance (for most people), they work a LOT, in May i stayed a month with my friend from Chicago, and her parents left their home everyday 8am and they came back around 8:30pm, they were exhausted, as soon as they would arrived they crashed on a sofa to eat fast food (cos they were too tired to cook), they wouldnt even talk to each other, the father ate in the computer (answering job emails), mother on the sofa...
Ive realized that my parents in this crappy south american country with many less material things are MUCH happier than them...
wallstreet84
Registered Users (C)
Try Belgium, this is a good option as well!
Princedriss
Registered Users (C)
bad weather most of the year
Same goes for some parts in US. Also I mainly are around Arizona, that's mostly desert all year around. 2 seasons.. hot and holy f*ck its hot!
Also in US, your on your own if you are out of work or cannot afford health insurance.
I live in a pretty diverse city and I see this shit everyday. It's frowned upon and white people are scared to admit it but it happens everyday.
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Absolutely! I second that!!
And you think this seats well with most of the white folks? Why do you think so many Republicans (who are mostly white) have been insinuating that the 'black president' is from Kenya, is not an American and shouldn't be in the White House? Why has there been so much emphasis on his 'Long Form' birth certificate?
For real? Why is the President being asked to show his school transcripts if this is not inferiority 'complex'? No US President has ever being openly queried on his school accomplishments in the past. Never!
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
An American Diploma in itself is not an automatic passport to the good life the US can offer. Countless number of American graduates, 'born and bred' in the US are languishing in the unemployment market as well. Below are some articles to ponder over:
In Weak Job Market, One In Two College Graduates Are Jobless Or Underemployed
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/22/job-market-college-graduates_n_1443738.html
Half of college grads out of work: study
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-05-10/news/31659198_1_graduates-job-outlook-heldrich-center
The Harsh Reality of Being an Unemployed College Graduate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-parco/the-harsh-reality-of-bein_b_1699593.html
Are there non American college graduates excelling in their chosen profession in the US? Absolutely. Tonnes of them!! The caveat here is that such people did not become successful overnight. The United States rewards hard work, period! Coming to the US as an immigrant, you've got to be willing to start from the bottom of your profession, if you have to. You've got to be willing to work extra hard and don't be lulled into a delusional dream of easy life. It pays to be smart!
Of course, I'm not discounting US College education. It's a good idea for immigrants coming to explore adding a US degree to whatever they currently have, bottom line is: 'Knowledge is key'. One thing I would suggest though is to make sure you get your current degrees from your native country evaluated once you get to the US. This will save you jumping through major hoops when you decide to go to college. You should consider getting sealed copies of your transcripts from you native countries before departing for the US, especially if you're from a country where getting your college transcript is a big pain in the behind.
Good luck to you all as you embark on this journey.
Vichel
Registered Users (C)
You can negotiate more vacation time in many cases, particularly in professional fields. I have American friends who don't get only 2 weeks vacation time. One negotiated 18 paid vacation days, another 21 days. One is in marketing and the other in I.T. They also have really good healthcare plans through their employers and only have to pay about 25% of the premiums. However, if you're not as lucky as people like that, it can be a struggle, with less of a life/work balance and expensive healthcare.
You know, sometimes it requires that you try the other side to make you appreciate what you had. As they say: the grass is always greener on the other side. Good luck with whatever you decide in life.
Rachel1812
Registered Users (C)
You know, sometimes it requires that you try the other side to make you appreciate what you had. As they say: the grass is always greener on the other side. Good luck with whatever you decide in life.
That's exactly right,but also......you know...one learns from one's own mistakes....
Regards.
That's exactly right,but also......you know...one learns from one's own mistakes....
Regards.