Is it possible to get jobs there?
2007-10-16 07:57:49 · 11 answers · asked by LoraC 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
What is involved in getting a work permit? I'm curious about living in Norway. I have visited, but did not inquire about living there as I was too young. Thanks for the responses!
2007-10-16 08:14:01 · update #1
None. Do you really think Americans are wanted in Norway or anywhere? MAYBE if you have a rare job skill they lack.
You would need to be able to provide something they cannot.
Americans are generally only wanted as TOURISTS. Taking up residency in another country means you should LEARN and respect that country's culture and customs. You should learn their language, speak their language and try to assimilate and fit in. You would be the outsider and the one who does not belong. It would be up to you whether you choose to NOT BELONG forever, or temporarily.
Otherwise stick to visiting and learning about THEM while you can maintain your own heritage and culture and not adopt someone else's.
Do the research. MOST European countries are highly expensive to live in. Switzerland being one near the top. Also check what things sell for over there vs. USA prices.
Hope you like Fish and lots of it!
2007-10-16 08:17:29 · answer #1 · answered by M☺lly, RN 6 · 6⤊ 6⤋
If you're interested in living and working in Norway you're in for an uphill battle. I am an American as well, and I have lived in Sweden and Denmark for a cumulative total of 7 years, and I've spent quite a bit of time in Norway as well, and I can tell you it is not an easy thing to just move to Norway.
Norwegians are highly educated, have a socialized system that is the envy of most of the industrialized world, and virtually every Norwegian speaks highly functional if not perfect fluent English. I know lots of people who think "Oh I'll just get a job as an English teacher ... I'm a native speaker." I can tell you right now, unless you have a Ph.D in English, and several years of teaching experience you're not going to find anyone who will offer you a job from the USA, and you're certainly not going to have a permanent visa request approved. Then there's also the question of 'can you speak Norwegian?" Its not exactly the easiest language to learn (as far as European languages go). If you're expecting to just learn it after you move there then you're not going to impress any potential employers ... they're going to want you to be highly fluent before you come. I can tell you in Sweden I had trouble getting jobs as an English teacher, and I have a Bachelors degree (with Honors) from top 20 American University, and could speak perfect Swedish -- they would still hesitate to consider me for jobs because they weren't sure about my language skills. Just giving you a little fair warning.
And people are right ... Norway is the most expensive country to live in on Continental Europe (Iceland is actually the highest, but its half way to Greenland). You'd be amazed how expensive everything is. For example, a bottle of coke in the US is usually about $1 ... in Sweden and Denmark it is about $2.50 for the same product, and in Norway you can expect to pay $3.50. Just ordering a pint of beer at a reasonable pub in Oslo will cost you $12-15 ... another example of the expense. Granted if you can get a job in Norway you will be paid more than you would in the US, but you also have to pay far more taxes than in the US. You might earn a gross salary of around $3,500 a month, but what you actually get to take home is more around $1,750 after taxes.
Norway is a fantastic country ... don't get me wrong, I love Norway. The people are friendly and polite, and if you ever want a religious experience just take a cruise through the western Norwegian fjords.
You're best chances for getting into Norway are to either 1) find a Norwegian boyfriend, or 2) apply to colleges in Norway (some of them have rather extensive program offering in English) and get a student visa, then try and use that opportunity to springboard to a permanent visa (there's still no guarantee this will work). The other major problem with going the student visa way is YOU will have to pay for your living expenses ... which are rather high. Even living an extremely spartan existence in Norway you will need around $12,000 per year ... and thats just for basics ... no TV, no new clothes, no eating out, etc ... the only good thing is if you're accepted as a regular degree seeking student in Norway you don't have to pay tuition, so thats a plus.
If you really want to live in Northern Europe then you might want to try Finland ... the chances of finding a job, and thus, being able to move there are far more likely. Finland is a great country too, but Finnish is also a hard language to learn.
The vast majority of Americans are monolingual, and a lot of the one's who claim they are 'bilingual' can't really speak a second language fluently ... they can speak a few phrases, and can somewhat read in the language. That is not being fluent in a language if you ask me. If you want to move to Europe you will, more than likely, have to learn one or more languages ... its just the nature of the beast. There is a reason why most Europeans can speak 2 or more languages ... you have to.
2007-10-19 17:28:46 · answer #2 · answered by blursd2 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure, this is an excellent question for me and I will answer with this: I am hoping to move to Germany someday, right now i am learning German because I am German and my great grandparents are from there. I think Germany would be good, as long as you are not sensitive about their customs because they are very open with nudity and a lot of things that Americans find repulsive, which I am revolted by the fact that things here are balked at. If you can't learn a new language, i suggest you move to England, Scotland, or Ireland. I want to visit all the medieval towns of Europe :)
2007-10-16 19:01:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible to get jobs in European countries but of course Americans need work permit to work in Europe (EU).
What countries are good, of course English speaking ones otherwise, learning the local language and then finding a job is an upheaval to face.
Even though England is best place but its over crowded by citizens of new EU countries, since they care coming with flights full. So choices are getting limited for non-EU citizens. Yet starting with England, Ireland & Netherlands, you can also try Italy & Spain. Although South European countries do not offer much when it comes to earnings.
Good luck.
2007-10-16 15:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by Pauper Prince 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check on the web. That will give you the answers. Last I heard, Vienna, Helsinki, Oslo. Naturally, you must speak the language to get a job, and you must go through the legal process of getting a work permit, like everyone else. Good luck, it's tough over there to get these things.
2007-10-16 15:07:06 · answer #5 · answered by Gretl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ireland or Scotland..they have asked Americans to come over in the past...
2007-10-16 15:09:11 · answer #6 · answered by vaar69 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
you have some options:
if you like the sun, and the tourism go to Spain, italy or Greece.
For more professionals jobs, go to France, Germany, UK...
For a high lifestyle go to Norway, Sweden, Danemark...
if you want to help, go to ROmania, Ucraine...
2007-10-16 16:03:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Germany - because it is very much like America over there, only different language.
2007-10-16 15:28:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Have you thought about Austarlia or are you committed to Europe?
2007-10-16 15:05:34 · answer #9 · answered by booman17 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
good question, especially now--how about Switzerland; looks like things are stable there
2007-10-16 15:08:21 · answer #10 · answered by paullucky 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋