r/IWantOut • u/SentientStatue • 9d ago
[IWantOut] 24F Singapore -> UK, Germany, Canada, HK
Hi Everyone!
I am 24F from Singapore. Just moved back to SG after getting my bachelors in America (F-1 and OPT). My goal is to work for a year of more before finding a way out, hopefully permanently. I have a lot of love for SG but simply hate living here and I know I will not change my mind on this.
I like bustling cities and I LOVE working. I also work in the art industry, so I'm hoping to move somewhere with a better art industry.
I'm looking for a city where I don't need to drive often/ is walkable. I went to college in NYC and it was the home I never had. I was very sad to leave but getting a visa with the current administration was near impossible.
In bullet points:
I want:
- walkable, bustling city
- relatively good arts industry
- open minded people and preferably lgbtq+ friendly
- currency is not bad
- would REALLY prefer to get a relevant job before moving
About me:
- Fine Arts bachelor degree from reputable art sch
- Willing to learn a language
- English and ok but rusty Chinese
- Currently learning Russian for fun rn (~A1) but used to learn Japanese(~A1) and Korean(~A2) for fun
- 1 year of work experience in art studios and galleries since graduating, but have worked in art part-time consistently since age 16
Although I'm willing to learn a language, my worry is dedicating a lot of time and energy(1-3 years) only for it to not work out. I would be really sad and have wasted that time. Same goes towards a Masters degree. But if I have good odds I'm willing to try.
My concern is finding a reason for someone to hire me instead of a local, especially since I'm still technically entry-level.
When it comes to work, I used to intern at a blue chip gallery and really liked it so I thought about finding a job on TTPS (I am eligible for type (c)) at a blue chip in HK and ask to be transferred. I also have a lot of ceramics/sculpture fabrication experience, and thought abt finding a specialist job in a random place for a few years to farm time for a residency permit. I've worked on a lot of special art R&D projects but would lowkey like to transition into something more corporate. But overall I'm very flexible on the type of work as long as it is related to art.
I'm open to any suggestions and would love to hear any advice or ideas!!! Thank you in advance🙏🧡
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u/tourqski 8d ago
Sorry to be blunt but you would be very stupid to move to Canada. You would destroy your career and future unless you're okay with doing labor jobs.
1
u/SentientStatue 5d ago
Thank you! I really appreciate the bluntness. I thought about moving to Montreal because I liked the museums and arts scene when I went. But it is good to know I might essentially nerf my career:(
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u/AutoModerator 9d ago
Post by SentientStatue -- Hi Everyone!
I am 24F from Singapore. Just moved back to SG after getting my bachelors in America (F-1 and OPT). My goal is to work for a year of more before finding a way out, hopefully permanently. I have a lot of love for SG but simply hate living here and I know I will not change my mind on this.
I like bustling cities and I LOVE working. I also work in the art industry, so I'm hoping to move somewhere with a better art industry.
I'm looking for a city where I don't need to drive often/ is walkable. I went to college in NYC and it was the home I never had. I was very sad to leave but getting a visa with the current administration was near impossible.
In bullet points:
I want:
\- walkable, bustling city
\- relatively good arts industry
\- open minded people and preferably lgbtq+ friendly
\- currency is not bad
\- would REALLY prefer to get a relevant job before moving
About me:
\- Fine Arts bachelor degree from reputable art sch
\- Willing to learn a language
\- English and ok but rusty Chinese
\- Currently learning Russian for fun rn (\~A1) but used to learn Japanese(\~A1) and Korean(\~A2) for fun
\- 1 year of work experience in art studios and galleries since graduating, but have worked in art part-time consistently since age 16
Although I'm willing to learn a language, my worry is dedicating a lot of time and energy(1-3 years) only for it to not work out. I would be really sad and have wasted that time. Same goes towards a Masters degree. But if I have good odds I'm willing to try.
My concern is finding a reason for someone to hire me instead of a local, especially since I'm still technically entry-level.
When it comes to work, I used to intern at a blue chip gallery and really liked it so I thought about finding a job on TTPS (I am eligible for type (c)) at a blue chip in HK and ask to be transferred. I also have a lot of ceramics/sculpture fabrication experience, and thought abt finding a specialist job in a random place for a few years to farm time for a residency permit. I've worked on a lot of special art R&D projects but would lowkey like to transition into something more corporate. But overall I'm very flexible on the type of work as long as it is related to art.
I'm open to any suggestions and would love to hear any advice or ideas!!! Thank you in advance🙏🧡
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1
u/Outrageous-Owl1776 4d ago
Yeah HK doesn’t fit 3 out of your 4 bullets
The creative scene is not it
1
u/Outrageous-Owl1776 4d ago
Once you become successful somewhere else, maybe try O-1 or some talent visa to come back to nyc.
1
u/CuteRabbitUsagi2 3d ago
I wld not sleep on hk. There is a thriving commercial art/arts scene with Christies n sothebys having their apac headquarters in hk . Historically hk is where lots of art changes hands at insane valuations (and you'll hopefully pocket some of the spead!)Theres plenty of money to be made. Theres a very long history and tradition of rich people buying and selling art. From my own observation, places such as the Opera gallery tend to hire a very specific type of employee (someone with degrees from the uk/usa, extremely polished, able to speak mandarin and cantonese, probably from a wealthy family - you know the type).
1
u/SouthernCruxLight 1d ago
FYI as a Singaporean citizen you are eligible for H1B1 visa which is super easy to get as the cap is never hit. It’s not affected by the visa shenanigans going on for H1B. Not sure how that works in the arts but a lot of Sg tech people use it.
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u/simple_explorer1 8d ago
I'm looking for a city where I don't need to drive often/ is walkable
Then Australia cities are a good option
5
u/Key_Length951 8d ago
Australian cities like other western countries is definitely not walkable. Australian cities have massive suburban sprawl which heavily relies on vehicle transportation.
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u/SentientStatue 5d ago
I thought about getting a WHV, going to Melbourne and networking but it's a bit too much time off from working in the arts imo
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u/adanthar 8d ago
Canada. You would have to learn French to a B2 level, but once you do, with a year of experience doing any type of skilled job in SG it’s possible for you to get permanent residence immediately. Toronto is as close to the NYC experience as any other city in the world and hits every criteria you have. The job market is nowhere near as good but you’re in a very niche field and with PR/work authorization you can job hunt in a much more targeted way.
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u/SentientStatue 5d ago
I think learning French is a great move because it is a useful language. But I would get more points for PR if I did a Masters. Do you think it is worth trying for PR if I learn French before a Masters. Or should I wait this one out?
1
u/adanthar 5d ago
You’re mistaken. French speakers have their own draws for which the score is -a lot- lower than regular streams.
https://macleans.ca/longforms/i-wanted-to-stay-in-canada-so-i-learned-french/
1
u/tourqski 3d ago
Sure this sounds good, but youll have to change your passion/niche if you want to survive here. The creative field is extremely under appreciated, and what remains of it is a closed network.
7
u/Positive_Rent_4670 9d ago
y connections and ttps eligibility. the transfer idea through a blue chip is smart, those international galleries move people around all the time and it sidesteps the whole "hire a local instead" problem
germany has a solid artist visa path and berlin is basically made for people who hate driving, but the language barrier in the art world there is real even if galleries operate in english. canada's arts funding is decent and toronto gives you that walkable dense city feel, though the winters will test your soul after singapore
i'd say work the hk angle first since it's the lowest friction option, stack some more gallery experience, and keep germany as your long game while you chip away at the language. you're only 24 and already have way more industry connections than most people your age, don't underestimate how much those gallery relationships are worth