Living and Working in Europe

[Buechner]

I am in this transition phase of my life: single, 27, ready for a new location and career. However, inbetween moving and getting a new job, I would love to work and live in Europe for a few months. I have been to Italy several times and feel so "at home" there. Has anyone lived/worked in Europe short term? (not including during college?) If so I would love to hear about it and the process it involved. I have seared the net, but cannot seem to find what I am looking for. In addition, I don't know what is reliable. Thanks!

Jenny

[badunnin]

I lived and worked in Germany, but I worked for the US government, so it was a bit different.

[wallycat]

I worked in Paris (Issy-les-Moulineaux actually) for 4 months, but I worked for an American company that also owned a portion of buildings there...so my pay continued as usual, plus I got an expense account and a nice hotel/living suite (small of course because it was in Paris, but wonderful :) ).
Of course how could an experience like that be bad :D (Except for the horrific weight gain because of all that great food, fine restaurants and lack of worry for funds to get into them :rolleyes: .)

[sassysu3]

DH worked on a project in Holland for a summer a couple years ago, and, of course, DS and I were there as well. It was a fabulous experience. The Netherlands is a great area, because so many of the Dutch speak English, and really are very hospitable to Americans, so commuticating was relatively easy. We traveled quite extensively around the area and thoughout Europe on the week-ends.

Would do it all over again!!!

[jrichards]

I worked in England (after college) through a program sponsored by the CIEE. I think it's the Council of International Educational Exchange.

Basically, there are a ton of countries in this program and they provide you with a work visa. It's up to you to find your own housing, job, etc. If you choose a foreign speaking country, you just have to prove proficiency in the language. I think it was 2 years of college classes, or a test.

I think you could still do this program at your age. I can't remember the full details, but think the age limit was 30. You just need a school registrar's office to stamp a form that you're currently enrolled, or that you graduated recently (you can do this up to 6 months after you graduate). I had a friend who signed up for some classes at a community college, got her form stamped, then dropped the classes and got back almost all her money. She got to live and work abroad that way.

I highly recommend the experience!

Jennifer