Ah, I know many have this dream but I really want it, and I need your guys help. I am currently in High school and after I get out I plan on going to college or mayeb joining the army, I don't know. But after that I want to move to Europe for my life. I've been there, love the culture, love everything about it, and currently I am learning German at home. I am asking how would I attain this as a young person. I know the following ways to get into Europe and get a residency permit and a visa to work in Europe:

Have a high degree and the country your moving to really need your skills.

Have a company need you to work over there, and they need to proof no one in the local area can do the job.

Be rich, have a business,etc

Born there bla bla bla

Are there any other ways? I was considering doing a stint in the French foreign legion for 5 years to get french citizenship, but are there any other ways? Since I do not think I want to join the FFL. Are there any European countrys that let foreigners serve in their army? I'd renouce my citizenship? I have Canadian and US citizenship. Are there any countries that are easy to immigrate?

If you were me and wanted to move to Europe, what would you do? give me advice please! And i want to be able to move to Europe before I am past 25 or so.


Thanks!


And probably some other ways.

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

What's the big hurry? It's entirely possible to move to Europe, but with things the way they are today it may take a while and some careful career planning. Learning a language is a good start. Learning a second language would be even better.

Then, you need to get your college degree, preferably in a field that is readily transferable. (For example, medical qualifications or teaching certificates can be very difficult to transfer - at least from the US to Europe.)

When you finish university, you need to get some experience in the US - and while you're doing that, you keep your eyes and ears open for every opportunity to work with people from the overseas branches of your company. Talk to them and find out how your specialty area works in their country. (It's surprising sometimes how different things can be in something as seemingly dull as accounting or human resources. Even business culture and the "style" of management is very different between countries.)

Use your foreign language skills whenever you can. Offer to translate foreign bills or letters that come in. Volunteer to show foreign visitors around. Demonstrate that you speak a couple languages and that you're interested in hearing about other cultures. Volunteer for overseas business trips.

When looking for a job in Europe as an American, you need to show them that you have some significant experience doing business in America, that you can handle the language differences, and that you can put up with the culture differences. It's very different to live in a country than to visit as a tourist, and it can be surprising to discover all the nicky picky rules you're subjected to once you take up residence.

Approach this as a long-term project and you won't have to join the French Foreign Legion (although they are still available - and still recruiting these days, should all else fail).
Cheers,
Bev

Have you considered exhange programs? If you could do a year abroad during high school, and another during college, you will have demonstrated adaptability, and if you choose a country and area where German is spoken, you will greatly enhance your language ability, which is going to be key.

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Hm, I don't know, that seems like it'll take an awfully long time. And I am wanting to move ASAP. I don't want to be moving there at like 30 years old. If I don't join the FFL, or don't get acepted, I am going to be serving in the US military, Marines or army. Once I get out of there, is it possible to study full time abroad?

I know, but I am already learning German. I didn't ask how to learn German. I was asking more along the lines as how I would get there to live.

Hey, young man, don´t be in a hurry to renounce US/Canadian citizenship, do you realise how many millions would pay to have what you have, I´m the father of 2 early 20s, live your dream but don´t do something you might regret later. By the way, if you have a Canadian passport do you have a European Father/Mother/stock?, anyway, Good luck

My grandpa is full austrian, not born there though, and my grandma is half scottish half english, not born there though

Trust me, 30 will be here and gone sooner than you know...

Actually, the only way to study abroad is normally full time. Universities overseas often limit you to working only during school holidays or on study-related internships if you're on a student visa. Plus, you pay full tuition. It's what makes foreign students so popular!

There's actually no need to renounce at least your US citizenship. In fact, doing so will probably make things harder on you. (They assume you're doing it for tax reasons unless you can prove otherwise.)

Germany used to have a teacher exchange program with the US. Not sure if it's still going on, but I'm sure you could find something about it on the Internet The fact that you know German could be an advantage there.
Cheers,
Bev

No, no! It's not like I am too impatient, it's that for personal reasons I want to move to Europe before I am too old(not syaing 30 is old).

And so it is possible I can study full time abroad for 4-5 years and get my degree after my service in the military?

No matter how much you study a language, you really don't know it until you have lived with it on a day to day basis. Considering how poor most language instruction is in the US, a year in a German-speaking country will be invaluable. Having lived overseas will also be an advantage in job hunting. Many people don't adapt well, and time in another country helps to prove that you are.

I've worked in other countries twice, and seen so many people arrive all full of enthusiasm, only to be on a plane within six months.

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