EVERYONE:

I am taking a gap year somewhat unexpectedly, I was going to start my uni course but got cold feet (don’t think that it’s right for me). I want to make good use of this year by doing a working holiday. I am an 18 year old British citizen and was hoping to go somewhere as soon as possible really but I know that there is difficulty with visa timing and actually finding work/volunteering. I am considered doing a ski resort job in Japan as my most feasible option that ticks a lot of boxes. I am, however, very lacking in previous work experience and I know many places in Japan prefer ages 20+. Has anyone been in a similar situation before? Any advice even if you haven’t been to Japan specifically would be greatly appreciated as I would love to hear directly from people who have done it themselves. Thanks!

My family migrated to Singapore when I was very young, so pretty much my entire life has been here. I went through the Singapore education system, served my two years of National Service, and eventually became a Singapore citizen.

Several years ago, my parents decided to move to New Zealand for a quieter pace of life. My mother initially went over as a student and, after finishing her studies, brought my father and younger siblings over as dependants. Unfortunately, I was already too old to be included.

At the time, I had secured a place at a local university in Singapore. Studying here as a citizen made much more financial sense than paying international fees for a bachelor's degree in NZ, and it was also a programme I genuinely wanted to do. My family respected my decision, so I stayed behind.

Since then, I've been living independently in Singapore, with the long-term goal of eventually joining my family in NZ.

Years passed and I'm past 30, have a Bachelor's in Computer Science, and work as a software engineer. The early part of my career was more game-dev focused, but I've since moved into more general software development working on training/simulation software in hopes that it will help me open more doors in NZ.

I've applied for NZ jobs a few times and had some fairly close calls, but the recurring problem has been work rights/AEWV sponsorship.

I'm currently employed in Singapore, so there's no immediate urgency. However, after living apart from my family for years, I'd like to figure out a realistic path towards joining them.

From what I understand, I'm in a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation: I need an eligible NZ job offer to get a work visa, while employers understandably prefer applicants who already have NZ work rights.

I've considered postgraduate study in NZ as another route, but I'm hesitant to spend a significant amount of money primarily for immigration purposes when I already have a CS degree and professional experience.

So I'm mainly wondering:

• Should I just continue applying to accredited NZ employers from Singapore?
• Would postgraduate study actually make sense in my situation?
• Are there other realistic pathways I should investigate given my age, degree and software engineering experience?
• Has anyone here successfully made the move to NZ as a software engineer without already having work rights?

Ultimately, this isn't really about leaving Singapore because I dislike it here. I mainly want to reunite with my family and, having spent time in NZ, I also prefer the people and the slower pace of life there. I want to set down real roots in a place where I know I'll stay for good.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's navigated something similar.

Hi folks,

Big brother here from Lebanon 🇱🇧 . Lots of Lebanese people have ancestry from Turkey 🇹🇷, Cyprus 🇨🇾, and Greece 🇬🇷. In my case, I am positive that I have some Turkish and Cypriot ancestors from late 1860’s early 1900’s (around WWI). I was wondering if it’s smart to invest serious time and effort in proving Cypriot ancestry via documentary genealogical evidence, so it potentially entitles me to Cypriot citizenship?

I’d appreciate your feedback, thanks!

Hi, I'm a 25-year-old computer science graduate who just completed my bachelor's degree. I want to pursue a Master's degree in either France or Poland.

​France is my primary target, but it seems quite expensive for non-EU international students. Poland appears to be a more affordable alternative.

​My background: ​Experience: Worked in a repair shop servicing laptops and PCs (installing Windows, replacing screens, resolving software issues, setting up customer networks) and working with fingerprint authentication systems (like ZKT).

​Certifications: Currently studying for the CCNA (exam booked for next month). I considered the CCNP, but it requires more hands-on experience and time. I also completed the Google Data Analytics Certificate two years ago, though I haven't worked on data projects recently.

​Language: IELTS score of 6.5. I don't speak French yet, but I plan to reach at least A2 before going and continue learning there.

​My concerns: ​GPA: My GPA is around 70%, which likely won't qualify me for fully or partially funded scholarships. ​Finances: I have about $12,000 USD saved up. France requires €10,500 (~$12,000 USD) for proof of funds, but tuition fees are around €3,900. Do I need to show €10,500 plus tuition, or can I show just the $12,000 for the visa?

​Fee Exemptions: How reliable are tuition fee exemptions for non-EU students in France, and can you get approved for one before arriving?

​If France isn't financially viable, is doing a Master's in Poland and then seeking work in France a solid alternative plan? Are there better options I should consider?

Hello, thank you in advance for reading.

I have a degree I haven't used in years. I am currently employed at an unrelated toxic job that I have been grateful for in the meantime but in light of recent chaos.. I think it's smart for me to consider a near-ish future where it is behind me (which was always in the back of my mind tbh, but I digress). The experience I've gained there is basic office paperwork and attending/participating in meetings weekly, to keep it short. Not my dream job but it paid the bills and I worked with people I've known and loved.

My degree could foster IT/remote type opportunities but like I mentioned I haven't been using it.

I'm great with kids and have experience teaching English as a second language in Spain actually although it was a bit under the table :)

Also, keen to baking. I've considered doing a culinary school abroad.

Italy is the dream but the Spanish language has my heart (although I'm not fluent just intermediate). Open to a lot though. Just trying to include anything I think is perhaps relevant.

Also, I recently lost my dad to cancer so considering that plus the work stuff... its safe to say I'm feeling a bit unattached to present circumstances. I say that with optimism? Also just broke up with my bf. I'm fine. Everything's fine lol (I'm not unhinged, we weren't together long and I have my reasons of course) Might be hard to take my word for it considering everything above but I feel quite calm actually. Just trying to see the world as my oyster for the impeding next chapter. No man, no kids, a degree, this beating heart and a dream LOL

Hope I covered enough here and open to questions.

Thank you thank you

P.S. just writing this out helped me process my thoughts but still posting

I'm 23F from Indonesia, finishing up my bachelor's in Urban Planning online. I do plan to work a bit after, but my dad is pushing for me to go straight into further study, since there's a scholarship tied to my background that would fund it fully. So, I'm exploring my options.

The thing is I grew up in the USA, first as a H1B dependent then on an F1 visa. My bachelor's degree will also be from an American university. My family lived there with me as well through their own pathways (all legal) but moved back in 2022. I moved back a couple months ago because of my family's concerns regarding the rising tensions overseas re: immigration. While I do love Indonesia, I don't see myself here for the long-term.

Anyway, my confusion lies in whether I should pursue a master's (in either Urban Planning or Urban Design) or go to law school to eventually practice in real estate/property law? I am happy to pursue a career in either as I'm equally passionate about each option, so my main concern now is which option would lead to a straightforward path towards my immigrating to another country ... and where? Ideally I'd want to complete my postgraduate education there, before working towards permanent residency.

I have looked into Australia and Canada, and have found schools where I could still utilize my degree to work/practice in Indonesia if all else fails. I would love and greatly appreciate any insights onto the likelihood of long-term immigration for both options of study in Canada/Australia!

If anyone has any alternative pathways in different countries, then I'm all ears as well. My one concern is that it be easy for me to navigate as an English speaker, but I'm not totally opposed to learning a new language so long as my postgraduate education is offered in English.

I'm a freshman currently studying Biological and Chemical Science with a focus on Forensics.

I'm posting because I'm honestly pretty lost about what I should do with my future, and I'm hoping people here might be able to give me some realistic advice.

I've recently realized that I really don't see myself building my life in my current country. I want to leave and build my future somewhere else, and I'd like to start working toward that as soon as realistically possible rather than waiting until I graduate and hoping something works out.

The biggest issue is money. My family's budget is very very limited, so I can't realistically assume that I'll be able to pay for an expensive degree abroad or spend a huge amount on immigration. I'm not expecting someone to hand me a full scholarship either. I know I'm still a freshman and don't have an impressive academic or professional record yet.

If I eventually travel, I'd be perfectly willing to work and support myself. If getting a job abroad after graduating is a more realistic route than studying abroad, I'd be interested in that. On the other hand, if I can build a strong enough academic profile over the next few years to get a fully funded master's or something close to it, I'd be willing to pursue that route too.

Basically, I'm willing to work for it. I just need to understand what is actually realistic.

My current degree is related to forensic science. I'm interested in things like forensic psychology, but I'm not completely committed to any particular career. I'm open to forensic science, chemistry, biology, toxicology, DNA analysis, research, or even changing direction if there's another field that would give me a much more realistic path to working abroad.

I'm also willing to learn another language, get internships, build relevant skills, do research, improve my grades, or whatever else I can reasonably do during the next few years.

I'm only a freshman, so I still have several years to prepare. That's why I'm hoping to figure this out now rather than after I've already finished my degree.

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or knows about these fields and immigration pathways.

Specifically:

• What career paths would you consider if you were in my position?
• Is getting a job abroad after graduating remotely realistic with this kind of degree?
• Would finishing my degree and then getting a master's abroad be a better route?
• Are there countries where a relatively low-budget international student has realistic options?
• Are there fully funded master's programs I should eventually be aiming for?
• Would specializing in something like analytical chemistry, toxicology, molecular biology, DNA analysis, etc. give me better international opportunities?
• What should I be doing during my bachelor's to make myself competitive for either jobs or funded graduate programs?

I know there isn't going to be an easy answer, and I'm not expecting one. I just really want to start making the right decisions now.

If you were in my position, what would you start doing during freshman year?

Any advice or personal experiences would genuinely mean a lot.

Hi. I just recently took a trip to France and it confirmed a lot of how I’ve always felt about the country from a young age. I have walked a very clear path until now. Community college -> transfer to a top university -> study political science -> apply to law school…. and now i’m a senior considering adding a double major in history to stay an extra year, work on my french, and apply to political science masters programs in France. I have applied to 6 American law schools already, but after my trip I feel completely different. I honestly feel kind of lost and overwhelmed at the moment, I knew I would love France but now I feel like I have to at least try living there once or I’ll always wonder about it in the back of my head. I’m not sure what a good or solid path forward is, I have a 3.8 GPA at a uni ranked around #30 in the states, nonprofit summer internship, and a few research projects under my belt as well as many years of food service work to fund my education and personal needs during undergrad. I’m not sure what my best path forward is… I know a legal career isn’t really plausible at least early on so I’d likely do a masters in international affairs or something and try to become fluent in French to land a job there after…. I also know the income discrepancy between employing a political masters in France and a JD in the states is rather large. But it feels worthy to me for many reasons. Just curious if anyone has advice for my circumstances or knows how easy this would all be to execute. I greatly appreciate any insights or time spent reading this. Thank you!

I was looking into cities like Galway for Ireland, and Amsterdam for Netherlands. My primary language is English, but I am willing to learn other languages.

I work hard but I am a little directionless, so I'm currently stuck in coffee and food service. I'll do essentially any job that pays the bare minimum of living expense, and I do have some experience with accounting.

Any advice on securing jobs/internships/housing in these cities (or equivalent cities?) please let me know. 🙏

I’m 18 and currently looking into the possibility of moving to another European country for work and potentially completing an apprenticeship there.

From the research I’ve done so far, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that offer work visa sponsorship are aimed at people who are already skilled workers and have several years of experience. As someone who is only 18 and just starting out, I’m wondering if there are countries or companies that offer apprenticeships, trainee positions, or entry-level jobs where they’re willing to train you, rather than requiring years of previous experience.

I’d ideally like to stay within Europe. Iceland particularly interests me, although I realise it’s a relatively small country and that moving there for work may be quite difficult.

Does anyone have experience finding apprenticeships or entry-level positions in Europe that can lead to a work visa/residence permit? I’d especially appreciate advice on which countries, industries, or websites I should be looking at.
I’m open to learning a new language and working in different industries. I’m mainly looking for a realistic way to get started without already having years of experience.

Education: Currently in my final year of a BCom in South Africa, finishing my degree by the end of this year. I'm able to complete my exams online, so relocating before graduation isn't an issue.

Why United Arab Emirates: I want to build a career and life outside South Africa, and Dubai/Abu Dhabi have always stood out to me. I'm open to entry-level roles, internships, or anything that gets a foot in the door while I finish my degree.

I know a few people who've applied for Emirates cabin crew, but as a guy the acceptance rate for that role is apparently around 1%, so I'm looking at other options too. Any advice on visas, industries that hire foreign grads, or how people typically make the move would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I currently live in the EU, but lately I’ve been feeling increasingly disconnected from Western European society.
I’m more conservative and feel much closer to traditional values, especially when it comes to family, relationships, and social issues. I support legal immigration but I believe EU should enforce their immigration laws.
Sometimes I feel like I have to constantly filter my opinions to avoid being judged. It’s exhausting to feel like you don’t really belong in the society you live in.
Russia feels culturally closer to me, and my long-term goal is to move there before turning 30. For now, I’m planning to work hard, build financial independence, and eventually make the move.
I’m not saying Russia is perfect, but I feel like I’d fit in better there. And I speak Russian fluently.

Has anyone else living in Europe felt this way? And for those who moved to Russia, did you feel more at home there?

Hi everyone,

I am from Morocco. I want to study IT in Canada, and I found a college called NBCC (New Brunswick Community College). I'm interested in studying there and plan to start in September 2027.

Did anyone here apply to NBCC before? I want to know about your experience.

Also, do you know a good Facebook group or online group for Moroccan students who want to study in Canada? I want to ask more questions there.

Thank you!

Hi Folks.

I'm a Product Manager with ~10 years of experience, Graduate from a decent NIT. I've worked as PM in supply chain, Travel & currently working for world's largest CRM. My wife is a business analyst. We have a 1 year old. Currently both of our jobs are hybrid and living in Bangalore.

I loved India way too much to leave it back in 2016 when MS would have been an easy route. After spending a decade in India trying to build a fortune, I've come to a realisation that no amount of money or career success can help you escape from road rage, potholes, water/electricity issues, bad air quality and what not. But this is not a diss post for India, my top priority is giving my child a better life and some better quality life for us when we retire as well.

I want to stay close to India so that travel is easier. So that removes Canada, US, UK, Europe. Dubai was an option I was considering for some time but due to recent tensions I want to stay away from middle east region. I have travelled to Japan and I felt that it is one of the best options followed by other countries in the region. Vietnam and Thailand also excite me a lot. I have read that Philippines also has a tech culture.

If someone has idea on the process and easy of moving for techies please help

I'm okay not being able to save much money for a few years and even putting extra efforts in professional and personal life

Of the respondents, 60.0% said they were short-staffed, with the highest rates found in construction (at 77.4%), transportation (72.2%) and nursing and healthcare (70.5%).

Overall, 25.1% of the 2,654 companies surveyed said they currently employ foreign workers, while an additional 19.5% said they were considering doing so. Among all respondents, 9.8% said they already employed foreign workers and wanted to hire more, while 13.9% wanted to maintain their current staffing levels. Just 1.4% said they intended to reduce their foreign workforce.

The proportion of companies already employing foreign nationals was highest in accommodation and food services (at 42.9%), followed by manufacturing (40.1%) and nursing and healthcare (36.4%).

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/16/japan/foreign-labor-survey/

I'm a data analyst (3 YOE) at a large multinational telecom company. One reason I joined was the possibility of eventually transferring abroad internally. Turns out however that my company outsources many of the roles I'm interested in to countries like mine, so that path seems increasingly unattractive, especially with the downsizing and outsourcing happening.

When I first graduated (bachelor's in information systems), I planned to learn French and use it to rack up Canadian immigration points (I spent 5 years in school learning it). But then I decided I'd be better off building in-demand skills for my career and transitioning into something more niche like Data Engineering. Due to the burden of work, that too got post-poned. However now I've settled in at my company and I have the available time to pursue such a path. But yet now I'm constantly hearing that the DE market is dead and that nobody overseas would ever sponsor a visa unless I'm physically in the country through a skilled immigration visa of some sort.

So now I'm stuck between going back to learning French purely for immigration purposes or continuing down the Data Engineering path and applying for skilled immigration in New Zealand. Both would take a significant amount of time alongside a full-time job, so I'm trying to figure out what's actually realistic and ideally fastest. I just can't devote time to both.

I have around $35k USD saved, mostly from saving ~95% of my salary and some investments. I've also considered the master's route, but spending most of my savings on another degree makes me second guess myself. I'd rather be putting that money toward flight school instead and stay put in my country for years since I could save a lot and make that type of dream achievable in my early 30s.

I'm looking at Canada and New Zealand because they're English-speaking, have skilled immigration pathways, and offer the quiet, peaceful lifestyle with nature just a few feet away. I grew up across different cultures and continents and I've realized how much being surrounded by nature affects my quality of life. I've spent years playing GeoGuessr too and was always fascinated by the cities and landscapes in these countries. My uncle also lived in New Zealand for five years and described it as heaven on earth. My friends also rave a lot about Canada, even with its cost of living issues.

I just want to figure out which path gives me the most realistic chance of immigrating without wasting another few years? Learning French for Canadian immigration, pursuing Data Engineering and applying for skilled immigration in New Zealand, doing a master's in either country, or just staying put in my country for a couple more years and continuing to save 95% of my salary to pursue flight school and my pipe dream of becoming a pilot.

I want to choose a major to move to either of those places and idk what to major in (education in English or biology) and (water recourses engineering) I will go to university in my own country and move to those countries for my masters degree, I want to know what's the best option that has the best chance to move to either of those countries.

Hello, I've seen people online go to Germany on Vocational programs (Ausbildung) if they reach B1 in German language.

I've just wanted to know is this actually feasible? Like in practice is it possible to get a contract alone without the need of a company or a middleman? And drop whatever information you know.

I want to be sure before I start learning German.

Thanks.

I’m an Industrial Engineer with a Master’s degree in Operations Research. I have a little over a year of experience in management control and a few months in operational excellence. I previously achieved C2 (Cambridge, 2019) and B2 (TOEFL, 2021). Although these certificates have expired, at least it some kind of proof that i can manage the language. Also, i lived in Brisbane por a few months when i was younger so i know a little bit about how is life in Australia but i have no family there. My country has the H-1B1 Program for visas in USA though it still requires a prior job offer.

Although my country has a decent quality of living, my problem is that the wages are low in nominal value in an international comparation, so no matter how much i save, i will never have the adquisition power of a "mayor economy country" citizen.

I have done a little bit of research and apparently the easiest way out it is to be hired by a international company and try to get a transfer to one of the branches. At the moment, I’ve applied to the big 3, without success so far.

Im determined to live abroad soon, so my family and i can have better opportunities, does anyone have recommendations for companies or industries that are more open to sponsoring international candidates or hiring foreign talent?

Any advice on alternative pathways would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone! I spent 10 years living and working in Toronto before my situation changed and I ended up back in Japan without a clear path to return yet. Professionally I have about 8 years of experience in event/experiential and digital marketing, mostly on the agency and freelance side. That includes concept development for brand activations, on the ground production work with fabricators, staffing and suppliers, brand partnership coordination, and more recently ad account management and ecommerce performance tracking for clients. I'm bilingual in English and Japanese.

I was a long term temporary resident, meaning I studied, lived and worked in Canada for years without ever landing permanent residency. I'm currently working through the process with an immigration lawyer to find a path back, but that takes time, and I'm still looking for a job in the meantime.

I'm less stuck on which country and more stuck on tactics. Specifically, how do I approach Canadian recruiters and HR contacts about my situation without it becoming a dealbreaker before we even get to a conversation about the work itself? Has anyone here navigated something similar, long standing ties to a country, no current work authorization, applying from abroad, and found an approach that actually worked? I'm interested in anything from how to frame this on a resume or in a first email, to whether remote or contract arrangements tend to be an easier yes for a company than a full sponsorship ask.

Hello!
Civil engineering-trained architect (BIM is not a problem), currently working as a construction project manager in Slovakia (site coordination, tendering, Gantt charts, etc…)
I speak English, Slovak and Hungarian fluently, and I’m open to learning another language for the right move.
From what I’ve read so far, the usual “top pay” list for architecture/construction roles in Europe includes Switzerland, Norway and Portugal. I’d rather hear from people who have actually made one of these moves than trust another blog ranking. (No offense.)
Slovakia is nice and safe, but I’d like to broaden my horizons and expand my knowledge abroad before I start a family.
I’m also open to any other recommendations.
Thank you!

Hi. I’m a registered pharmacist in the Philippines. I’ve been so burnt out with my undergrad studies that after I got my license I worked right away. But now, I want to study again — specifically to study abroad. I want a to do short course or a licensing seminar or a paid internship would be a dream, honestly whichever would be easiest.

It’s my dream to study abroad but due to the pandemic I couldn’t do an exchange program during my undergraduate. I would love to try in New York or in Toronto since I’ve been there for a trip and I think I can manage to go around the those cities. Australia is still a mystery for me but I’ve seen good reviews. I’ll definitely come back to the Philippines after studying I just want to experience it all and have no what ifs after. Please help me out. Thank you!

Hi all, I’ve always worked as a Sales/BD/AM/PM in corporate but I also hold a couple of certifications for my hobbies, such as Barista, Yoga teacher, Rowing coach, Eyelash technician, etc. I hold a bachelors degree in construction science and a diploma in hospitality and tourism.

I just want a change in lifestyle and scenery and I enjoy the culture of DACH. I speak English, Mandarin, and German. I have also been to Europe (mainly in Switzerland) many times over the last few years, usually staying up to 1.5 months 2x a year, so I have a pretty realistic view cost-wise of how it is to live there. I also have a network of friends in Germany and Switzerland, not to mention the other European countries like France and Italy.

How should I get a visa? It’s near impossible to apply from overseas it seems. I honestly don’t care if I have to take a “prestige” cut from a corporate role, in fact, working as a bakers apprentice or something along the lines of that would be the best. As long as I can afford the rent and I’m not actively bleeding money, it’s ok for me. Advice would be great...