Wanting to move to America.

anyone can get a degree at any age. Theres god knows how many computing based degrees, problem is the companys in the US probably dont have a shortage of anyone computing skilled..
 
That's the problem there. I don't think it would be possible for me to get a degree now though? Then again I am only 20 this year. And what do I get a degree in?

David Beckham Studies, You can bet your ass no one over there will have one:p
 
Somewhere in some city there is always a shortage of a any job. They can bring in foreigners if they can't find qualified people in the local area, there might be a million IT tech jobs in silicone valley, but try to get someone in the middle of Texas and there could be a shortage.

THe person who said ARizona was completely different to elsewhere because the people were friendly, relaxed and non agressive. thats weird because having been to california(basically most of it, a traveling trip where we did a huge circle around the state), ohio, colarado, arizona(briefly), new york state well, not anywhere did i find hostile or rude people. In fact new york was full of incredibly nice and helpful people, no one was hostile it was a great place. even late night/early morning when in london you'd be worried about gangs and big groups of people walking around less well lit less busy area's was completely fine, relaxed and bumped into a couple people who asked if we were lost and were helpful.

As for moving there, its a pain, as are most places. Aussie is AFAIK incredibly difficult to move there. A friend of the family, older semi retired couple got permission moved over there, bought a house, spent a couple of years there and despite bringing money through their pension and buying goods and spending money there they were denied permission to stay and unceremonially told to **** off home. We don't think its when my friend/their son went to visit and at immigration they asked if he had a criminal record. he replied "is that a prerequisite here then?" :p

First thing to do is read up on the immigration site in the states, then some advice sites, see what jobs that your qualifications could get you might be a good way to get you in there. You might want to work a job you can get, but don't really want for a few years to get ya green card, then move to a job without shortages but you really want. There should and could be ways to move there, often its not easy or quick but definately possible. It could depend on what degree you have, i mean a lawyer might have a really small chance. as well, they are everywhere , where as like i said tech guys are often in certain area's so other area's can have shortages. But if you are "that" damn good or have a great degree, masters/phd and you can do a job better than anyone else that can also make a difference.

As for days off and work ethic, yes to a degree americans do work very hard, but except for your average 9-5 tech support or working in a shop job most 9-5 jobs here end up being jobs you take home, work late and do lots of unpaid overtime anyway.

You can certainly get overtime over there, in almost any job you do get more time off the longer you stay. AFAIK an average idea there is 10 days start, 3-5 years in you get 15-20 days, and 10 years often gets you a month off. you can also negotiate for more time off in lew of a pay bump one year get a day or two extra. but remember that 10 days is ontop of LOTS of extra days off you get there already. once you get far along in your career you often get a lot more days off there than anywhere else, after 10-15 years plus some great negotiation you can end up with 1-1.5months off a year on top of 4th july and all the other normal holidays. Not really sure how common it is to take sick day pay in the UK, i've never taken any, but its fairly normal to take spare sick days as holiday over there, every year or two when your sick days have added up and you they won't count for much longer use them up as holiday is a fairly widely done and accepted thing.
 
how can you decide you want to live and work there if you have never been there?

been watching too many American movies? :)
 
That's the problem there. I don't think it would be possible for me to get a degree now though? Then again I am only 20 this year. And what do I get a degree in? I would go for computers, which is what I'd be interested in. :)

A computer degree will NOT get you into the US. They have too many unemployed computer based people.

Medicine, Vet Med, Law are the best 3 options. Other subjects might be something like Chemical Engineering or such like engineering that is under-subscribed. Specialist subjects that are useful are best.
 
well he lives in SA, and knows he doesn't want to live there, he's lived in the UK and knows he doesn't want to live here? that leaves, lets be honest, if going with english speaking countries Australia, Newzealand and the states. Australia is a fairly limited place, it might be big but what 90% of it is desert type area that isn't really great for visiting. The states offers you cheap holidays to basically all types of terraine/locations you could want. sand beaches, deserts, gambling capital of the world, New york, snowy mountains, fantastic national parks. The states is far more appealing just on that basis. Australia is also fairly far out of the way of everywhere. AS for watching too many films tv. My impression of the states from tv and film didn't change much after i've been to most of the places, except that New York is portrayed as a very mean and hard place when infact the people are as nice as anywhere else i've been in the world.
 
not sure what it would be like to live/work over there but ive visited America several times.

New York State, Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut , Arizona, California and Nevada - have traveled through a fair few others aswell! love the states, amazing place to go to! personally id love to live there based on what ive seen.

somebody posted up about Arizona, - i totally agree, people there are fantastic and the climate is, nice and 'warm' :) - fantastic sights to see also!

Also Connecticut is fantatic, i have an uncle that lives there, stayed there a few times! gorgeous house, very colonial :) right up my street!

really nice people! - but beware of Calahan!!! :p (sp)
 
Well getting a degree in those subjects will be hard here in South Africa. I'm in full time work at the moment and cannot afford to be off work too long. However I have already started putting a 'savings' together. I'm not basing my views on America from TV series/movies ect. Ever since I was younger, I've always wanted to be there.

But for now, it looks like I am stuck in South Africa with power shortages and possibly low water. Great.

Robert.
 
There are a huge number of countries you could try living in, but you have to figure out firstly

1) Where you want to go
2) What skills you have the are attractive to your prospective countries

Australia is infinitely easier to get into than the USA, as is Canada.
 
Well it's definitely the USA that I would like to reside in. Which part? I'm not 100% sure yet.

Well on paper I don't have a degree or such things. However I am contemplating on going to a Uni and getting a degree. I will not get one in medical as I have no interest in that subject. IT or engineering is most likely for me and I would user stand it easier. :)

How is Australia easier? They work on a points system and require all sorts of things, do they not?

Thanks once again for all the help guys and girls. Much appreciated!


Robert.
 
Never knew the US was so difficult to get into, is it that hard the other way round?

I'm guessing they would prefer a Briton/ Aussie etc compared to a european or asian?
 
don't live in central america. you get aids

and you will die.

really don't know america so I cant be of any help but try not to live too close to places like california etc etc, too much tourism and the people will range from peculiar to clinically insane.
 
Never knew the US was so difficult to get into, is it that hard the other way round?

I'm guessing they would prefer a Briton/ Aussie etc compared to a european or asian?

No, they rpefer europeans or asians. The US supports a multi-cultural soceity and doesn't want too many Brits there.
 
Really? Have you tried the online point scheme to see if you'd be eligable?

I thought Australia was relatively easy.....

Easier than the US, but still not "easy". Australia's immigration policy is based on a "points system" which the UK has recently copied.

We get a lot of Saffers, so you'd probably feel quite at home. :)
 
Edit: I would say that I would never consider going to work in a country that i've never been to but then again that's what i'm trying to do with New Zealand :)

Trust me, visiting the place will only make the time you're stuck in England before you move pure torture.

We visited last summer and I'm counting down the days till December 2009.
 
If you want life like SA come to the south, Tenn. GA, FLA, NC,SC are all nice places.

You should visit NC you would really like it.

Stay away from upper states other then north eastern states.
 
The only thing I want to take with me from South Africa is the whether. That's all. :)
Where is GA in the USA by the way?
Well, I guess I better try find out more about this whole moving thing. Can anyone point me to any online sites I can look at?

Mach appreciated!

Robert.
 
How is Australia easier? They work on a points system and require all sorts of things, do they not?
Robert.

But America works on the system that only if you can do a job that no one else in the country can do, then they might consider letting you in.
Our ex secretary go into Australia with virtually no qualifications but it did take her 3 years or so with her paying for medicals, police checks and everything else that was needed. On the other hand a teacher friend was offered a job in the October half term and by Jan 1st she was over there with all her expenses paid.
Without unique skills or close family America will not want to know you.
 
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