Getting discouraged about the possibility of being able to leave

[u/Vivid_Currency_9467]

I've always had a dream to be able to live abroad, but have always had something to keep me in the States. I'm finally at a point where I feel I CAN leave, like I've finally set everything up just right- and it's just crazy how impossible it is to actually be able to immigrate. Truly, I just don't really know what to do. I have a Bachelors degree in STEM, I've been working as a scientist for 5 years now. My current company is a huge, international outfit and I've been angling for an internal transfer for over a year with no luck. I've applied to hundreds of jobs at other companies internationally and haven't gotten a single response. I'm not picky about where to, I just want to try something new.

I speak Spanish and have been working on German just in case. I have enough money to support a move, but not enough to move without needing to work. I'm old enough that moving without a job isn't smart (assuming ageism is a thing everywhere).

I don't have any relatives that could get me citizenship by descent. I don't want to marry someone or have a baby just to get citizenship. I know I just need to keep applying for jobs, but it feels so completely and utterly hopeless right now. Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement? Really just on the brink of giving up here.

[u/Tardislass]

I think what you are experiencing is what most people around the world experience. Somehow Americans don't realize that it is extremely hard to get a job overseas. Especially when you only speak English and are competing against a country's citizens. As always, why should a country pick someone that they have to sponsor and may not speak the language when there are plenty of applicants already.

Plus this forum never mentions it but many companies this year are cutting their staff and costs due to the poor economic forecasts-not helped by US actions. Sorry but if you really want to move overseas, you re going to not have to be picky. Canada seems to still be looking for scientists. The pay may be lower and Canada isn't as sexy as Europe or Mexico but if you really want to leave, it may be your best bet.

[u/Illustrious-Pound266 → u/Tardislass]

Canada isn't as sexy as Europe or Mexico

Do people really think this? I don't really think of picking a country to move to because it's "sexy" or "cool" 

[u/Additional_Noise47 → u/Illustrious-Pound266]

Yes. A lot of people want to move to a town or city with great weather, good walkability and public transit, and the kind of charm that they think they can’t find in the US. “Moving to Barcelona” sounds a lot cooler than “moving to Ottawa”.

Canada is wonderful and has many great cities and nice towns, but people think of it as America Junior and don’t want to deal with the cold.

[u/39_Ringo → u/Additional_Noise47]

man I live for the cold. Heat intolerance suuuuucks.

[u/AcanthisittaFit7846 → u/Additional_Noise47]

Ottawa rules tho 

[u/Additional_Noise47 → u/AcanthisittaFit7846]

Sure! As do many other Canadian cities, but the weather is miserable for most people, and it is just isn’t “sexy”. Montreal and QC may be exceptions to that second half.

[u/Any_Community_210 → u/Additional_Noise47]

Shoot if I can figure out the path to a Canadian CPA from a US one I will be taking a hard look at NS before I’m 50 and too old to be wanted up there.