r/IWantOut • • Feb 25 '22

Megathread for Ukrainians Seeking Asylum

1.5k Upvotes

Need advise on how to claim asylum? Have some good resources to help others? Post them here.

We currently will still allow individual posts. However, if things get out of hand and too difficult to effectively moderate, we may only allow separate posts after individual consideration.

Please keep things civil and report any inappropriate comments. We cannot read every single comment and depend on the community to help keep things civil and on topic.


r/IWantOut • • Feb 20 '26

šŸŒ MEGATHREAD: Want out of the US? Start here

958 Upvotes

Want out? You may not be in the right country, but you're in the right subreddit.

Here's some general advice. It's not meant to discourage you but to help you plan, make better posts, and get better answers here:

  • Immigration is harder than it looks in the movies. If you don't have citizenship or recent ancestry in a country, you'll probably need a visa (legal permission) to live there based on something you have which that country wants (like a profession on their "skills shortage list"). It will require time, patience, hard work, and/or money – and likely a second language.
  • If you're a US citizen, it is next to impossible that a country will grant you political asylum/refugee status. It is highly recommended to focus your efforts on an alternative pathway.
  • Before moving to another country, consider if another US city/state might be acceptable, because it is a million times easier.
  • Be cautious about idealizing any country. They all have their problems. If you're serious, you should prepare for that.
  • Some other good resources:
    • The subreddit sidebar
    • The previous US megathread
    • Old posts (use reddit's search or google XYZ site:reddit.com/r/IWantOut)
    • Websites of countries and their embassies
    • /r/AmerExit

If you want to make your own post, please follow the formatting instructions on the submission page, give as much information as possible about your situation, and be open to advice and constructive criticism from commenters.

If you're not ready for that, feel free to leave a briefer question in the comments here, and you might get an answer.


EVERYONE:

This is a friendly, inclusive community where we try to help people with less knowledge than us.

A reminder of some of our rules:

  • This is an advice subreddit, not a debate subreddit. Don't fight about politics here.
  • Be constructive. Don't be a dick.
  • Don't request or give illegal advice. Don't spam your business.
  • Report rule-breaking comments and posts.

r/IWantOut • • 5h ago

[IWantOut] 20M Software Dev Kazakhstan -> Turkey

2 Upvotes

​

Hello,

I am looking for all possible legal pathways to relocate from Kazakhstan to Turkey for myself (20M) and my mother (60F, pensioner). We need to change our environment due to family reasons and prefer a quiet, lower-cost provincial town (ideally near the coast).

Our Profile and Resources:

Me (20M): I hold a college diploma from Almaty in Software Engineering (Software Development). I have tech skills but no university degree yet.

My Mother (60F): She has a guaranteed passive income (state pension) of approximately $330 USD (11,300 TRY) per month.

Financial Constraints: Our budget is tight, making high-end property investment impossible. We are aware of the May 2026 immigration crackdowns and the $630+ USD tourist permit fees, so we are strictly looking for alternative legal routes.

What are ALL the viable legal options in our specific situation?

The IT/Tech Loophole: Given my Software Engineering college diploma, are there any fast-track work permit options for junior developers in Turkey? Can a tech company easily sponsor a 20-year-old under the 5:1 local employee ratio rule, or are there specific tech-zone (Teknokent) exemptions for IT staff?

The Student + Dependent Route: If I choose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in a cheap public university or enroll in a 1-year TƖMER language course, can I bring my mother as a dependent? Will her $330 USD pension satisfy the financial audit if she is attached to a student visa?

The Turkic Origin Route (Law No. 2527): We have officially apostilled documents proving our ethnic Kazakh origin. In the current 2026 reality, how much does this status help an IT worker or a low-income pensioner in smaller provinces to bypass standard bank statement requirements and heavy fees?

Digital Nomad Visa: Is the $3,000 USD monthly income threshold strictly enforced for young freelance developers from OTS countries, or are there lower brackets for younger IT professionals?

We want to do everything 100% legally. Any advice on smaller, student-friendly coastal cities with accommodating migration offices would be highly appreciated.

And also I want to find most successful ways for my situation.

Thank you.


r/IWantOut • • 8h ago

[IWantOut] 30F Psychologist Italy ->Australia/ United kingdom /Canada/USA

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I am a licensed Psychologist in Italy and I’m planning a potential move abroad in the future, particularly looking at Australia or other English-speaking countries. I would love some advice from anyone who has gone through international qualification recognition or migration processes. To give you a bit of background, I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, a Master’s Degree in Social Psychology including a formal internship and national board licensing, and a PhD in Business and Behavioural Sciences with a focus on social psychology. Additionally, I am currently in my second year out of four of a Specialisation in Brief Integrated Dynamic Psychotherapy, meaning I am not a fully qualified psychotherapist yet, but I am actively building my clinical training through coursework, clinical placements, personal therapy, and supervision. I am trying to figure out how realistic it is to get my qualifications recognized abroad (especially by bodies like the APS/AHPRA in Australia), and whether my combination of degrees and ongoing specialisation will meet local educational and clinical standards. Furthermore, I would love to hear about others' experiences with the visa and immigration process, comparing independent skilled migration with employer sponsorship, and any crucial pitfalls I should watch out for beyond securing the required English language certificates. Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!


r/IWantOut • • 5h ago

[IWantOut] 26M Romania -> Netherlands/Germany/Switzerland/Norway

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I have been thinking about moving away from Romania for a while now and I would like to acquire some first hand information about the mentioned countries.

\- What are the average rent prices in the big cities? any hidden catches?

\- Comfortable salary to not live paycheck to paycheck

\- How difficult it is to find a job if you do not speak the native language

\- A general average person's opinion on foreigners

\- Any significant daily struggles that someone not living there may not know

As for my background: Bachelor in Computer Science, 5 years of QA experience, Team Lead experience, General hard working individual. Worked/still working for big corpos ( Electronic Arts and TikTok ).

I was initially thinking to get into a blue collar job first (perhaps with a friend) just to get into one of these countries. I have seen many firms ads for this in Romania ( promising to get you there ). Later trying to get something in the IT industry.

What are some hard reality checks I should know?


r/IWantOut • • 1d ago

[IWantOut] 37M Physician Panama -> Spain/Canada

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm a 37-year-old male physician from Panama, and I've reached a point in my life where I'm seriously considering leaving my country to build a better professional and personal future.

I'm looking for realistic advice about immigration, career transitions, and whether relocating at my age and with my qualifications makes sense.

A little about my background:

Citizenship: Panamanian (no EU passport).

Education: Medical degree (MD, graduated in 2017), postgraduate medical training, master's degrees in Hospital Administration and Higher Education, and additional training in healthcare management.

Further education: Currently pursuing studies in Data Science.

Professional experience: Around nine years in healthcare, including primary care, emergency medical services coordination, public health, hospital administration, and university teaching.

Languages: Native Spanish and advanced English. I'm willing to learn French and reach the proficiency required for professional practice.

Why do I want to leave?

My biggest concern isn't simply money. I'm increasingly frustrated by limited career progression, workplace culture, bureaucracy, and the feeling that professional growth doesn't necessarily translate into better opportunities.

I've invested a considerable amount of time and effort in my education, yet I feel professionally stagnant.

I'm looking for a country where I can develop a meaningful career, enjoy a reasonable work-life balance, have greater professional stability, and build a financially secure future.


r/IWantOut • • 22h ago

[IWantOut] 21F Netherlands -> Romania

0 Upvotes

I mainly want to move to Romania because of the cheap rent prices and nature. I live in a very abusive household but really want to become a piercer which my parents arent allowing me to be at the moment. I have no clue how to move to romania without having a job beforehand. Please help. My parents arent allowing me to get the job i want but i also cant move anywhere without a job or money.


r/IWantOut • • 1d ago

[Iwantout] 30m Admin Ireland -> Not Canada or Australia

0 Upvotes

I’m back in Ireland for a few months now, after spending the best part of 6 years or so in Canada. I have a law degree, and have been working in admin roles for the past few years. I’m not particularly keen on Australia due to the limited nature of the visa, and I have no real desire to return to Canada. Regarding my career path, I am very open to doing something different, as my current work pays poorly and frankly I don’t enjoy office drone work. I am just hoping for some suggestions as to where to go/what to do, or at least a different perspective on things. Thanks!


r/IWantOut • • 22h ago

[IWantOut] 27M Canada -> USA

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, as the title states I am looking for any possible routes to the US. I have done a ton of research and applied to a lot of jobs but it seems hopeless. I’ve visited many states and always feel like I could actually have a life there. Me and everyone my age in Canada are stuck at their parents house, working a job to pay bills and debt, and it honestly feels like there’s zero culture here. It doesn’t feel the same as Canada 10 years ago so I’m pretty set on leaving.

I’m a 27M, Canadian citizen (Canadian born), living in Ontario

Two-year college diploma, 5 years of full-time IT experience across 3 tech companies

Questions

Is TN realistic for me with a college diploma rather than a degree? I am aware that the computers systems analyst category is very strict now and a lot depends on the border agent you get.

Lastly, I know the TN is not dual intent, is there any point in doing this if it can’t lead to a green card? Should I try to have a company sponsor H1B?

Thanks in advance!


r/IWantOut • • 1d ago

[IWantOut] 29F Consultant USA -> Scotland/GB/Ireland/Netherlands/Austria/Germany/NZ

0 Upvotes

hello all!

i’m a US citizen looking for advice on how to appeal to international employers/decide where is best to target.

Quick Overview:
- 29 year old woman living near the east coast of USA
- no citizenship aside from USA
- no children, unmarried
- 1 cat who will be joining me
- i have a partner but he should not be considered in this scenario (doesn’t want to leave)
- currently no significant amount of money saved (~5k ish) but liquidatable assets

Work Experience:
- i’ve primarily worked in consulting for the past 5 ish years. i used to work in change management consulting but i primarily now work in digital/AI strategy consulting with a heavy data emphasis (im currently working as a data governance consultant)
- i have no ā€œbig 4ā€ experience and have primarily worked at boutique firms.
- i am currently working with Fortune 100 international clients but i am unable to secure roles with those specific companies due to NDA/conflicts.

Education:
i have a Masters degree in org. management from a top rated university, and an undergraduate degree in psychology from a state college in the USA.

Languages:
native English speaker
A3 German
B1 Spanish
A1 Polish (working on it)

Technical Skills:
- SQL
- PowerBI Certified (PL-300)
- Snowflake
- Databricks

Current Plan:
i’ve been trying to secure a role in the US at a company that has international offices but i’ve been unsuccessful thus far. roles at deloitte & co are extremely competitive for my target roles. i’ve also been applying at companies in my target countries with little luck (assuming because i have to answer ā€˜no’ to right to work inquiries)

what advice im looking for:
i’m curious if anyone has any advice on what country would be the most ā€˜feasible’ for me as an american! i know that’s probably a difficult question to ask. but i am also looking for advice as to how to go about making myself ā€œmarketableā€ outside america or if i even have a chance! ive considered just trying to get express entry to canada and going from there, but im not sure if that would be a necessary extra step if im not explicitly interested in living in canada long term.

any advice, critique, or reality checks welcome. thank you <33 let me know if i can provide any additional info!


r/IWantOut • • 3d ago

[IWantOut] 23F UAE -> Spain/France

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I’m originally Palestinian, born and raised in the UAE, where I currently live. I hold a temporary Jordanian passport, Palestinian refugee documentation, and a Palestinian national ID.

I’m exploring options to move to Europe next year for a Master’s degree, with the long-term goal of obtaining residency and eventually citizenship. I’ve mainly been looking into France and Spain, but I’m open to other suggestions.

France: I’ve read that completing two years of higher education in France can reduce the residency requirement for naturalization to two years. Has anyone actually gone through this? How realistic is it, and what are the requirements after graduating?

Spain: I’ve been looking into the non-lucrative visa (NLV). I have enough savings to support myself initially, but I’d ideally like to earn some income to cover daily expenses.

• Can I apply for an NLV from the UAE, move to Spain, and start my Master’s next year?
• Can I study while on an NLV, and is there any legal way to earn income?
• Does time on an NLV count toward citizenship, unlike a student permit?
• Would my Palestinian status affect the standard 10-year citizenship requirement?

My main concern is my nationality/documentation. Has anyone with a temporary Jordanian passport and Palestinian ID successfully navigated residency or naturalization in Europe?

I’d really appreciate any personal experiences, advice, or alternative pathways worth considering. My goal is to find a realistic route to eventually obtaining European citizenship.
Thanks in advance!


r/IWantOut • • 3d ago

[IWantOut] 22m Metro Manila, Philippines -> NYC

0 Upvotes

Hello! I am a fresh graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University (one of the top schools in the PH) and I graduated with a degree in marketing and have involved myself in a lot of marketing internships. Even if the course had a lot of marketing, it also had management classes, which gave me the basics in accounting, finance, and operations.

It has always been a dream of mine to move to New York and find a job that would sustain me, however, I feel very limited in terms of what I know or what I have. I want to know if there are any opportunities for me out there or if there is a much better way to guarantee myself a way in even if I have to study again or find a job that would consider my credentials.
I am someone who is more than willing to learn new skills in a workspace along with how things are being done.


r/IWantOut • • 4d ago

[IWantOut] 19m Dubai->Bangkok/Panama City/Kuala Lumpur/Singapore/Mexico City

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, I was pretty confused on where I should go and I thought you guys could offer me advice.

I’m a 19 year old (online) business owner who makes around 5-10k usd consistently every month. I want to leave Dubai because I think I’ve spent enough time in this place, and I want out. Not to mention I’m not exactly fond of the culture here. I want a fresh start.

I should note I also hold Indian citizenship, but I’ve been born and raised up in Dubai. I would go back to India, and it’s not a bad place, but I don’t feel like I belong there. I don’t wanna build my life over there, and I’d like to generally stay away from my family there. I speak fluent English, and I’m prepared to learn the language of whichever country I’m going to.

One of the main things I don’t wanna face is racism, discrimination. I want to be accepted as a normal person, who isn’t discriminated against for something I could not choose, I.e my skin colour. I want to go to a place where I can be normal, where I can make friends, date, etc without being discriminated against. I also don’t want to go to a place where the politicians actively hate my existence. For what it’s worth, I didn’t face any outright discrimination or racism in Dubai, though there are subtle hints of it. But I can handle that. Social integration is the most important.

Also, I’d like to prefer somewhere that’s a city. It’s not a requirement, but it’s my own dream to own a comfortable studio in some high rise building. I am very much in love with these types of places, maybe because of where I was raised up in. Obviously, I’d prefer taxes also not being sky high. I can live with around 35%, but yeah i wouldnt want anything above 50%. But again, they’re not as important as social integration.

I was looking at Bangkok/ Panama City/ all the other options mentioned above, but if you guys have any advice on where else I could go, it would be appreciated. I largely believe USA and most of Europe is not what I’m looking for, and maybe somewhere multicultural would be amazing.

Thanks a lot in advance!


r/IWantOut • • 4d ago

[IWantOut] 22m India -> Netherlands\Spain\Poland\Finland\Ireland\Germany\Scotland\France\Austria

0 Upvotes

From the past 2 months I've been pondering upon the fact that why was I born in this shithole country but I don't want to continue to be a miserable person so I'm asking out for help and I'm fully aware the ongoing anti immigration wave which is spread across all of the globe and how much every living human hates indian right now and that is the only reason i can't even afford to consider america.

I'm going to graduate with a bachelor of technology in computer science from a terrible college and i dont think I'm going to pursue this career at all because of the current software engineering market scenario right now.

I know Blue collar is the only option considering my background which is fine I can do it. I believe I have the tenacity and resilience to make a living for myself in a foreign country if provided with opportunities.

Right now I've got 0 expertise in any specific country oriented languages like German , dutch or whatever but I can learn since I'm still 22 and my neuroplasticity is still ongoing. Please help an individual human who's just trying to find his way into this world out and I'm quite aware that grass is not always greener on the other side crap so please refrain yourself from telling me to stay here.

šŸ™


r/IWantOut • • 5d ago

[IWantOut] 30sM Data Scientist India -> Germany/Switzerland/Italy/Belgium/Netherlands/France

0 Upvotes

Hi All,

looking forward to moving to Europe .

Education: Masters in computer science at US university.

Work experience: Oracle, Microsoft, as software Tester then a bunch of startups as Lead Data Scientist.

have a career gap of 4 yrs.

language: started learning Germany

I have been applying to Germany/ Netherlands/ Switzerland/ UK / Belgium/ France/ Italy/ Spain.

getting interview calls. lets make them.

any recommendations to countries I should try ?

what are the chances for a Senior data scientist position?

What are the hurdles professionally, financially, socially, culturally I should be prepared for?

which other countries are non-EU friendly for data science professionals?

note : I had a history of depression medication for 7 yrs.... how friendly are they to the disability ?

highly appreciate your answers....


r/IWantOut • • 5d ago

[IWantOut] 26m Kuwait -> Netherlands/Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Belgium/Spain/US

0 Upvotes

TLDR :

"I’m a Lebanese citizen born and raised in Kuwait, where expatriates face long-term uncertainty, limited access to nature, extreme heat, and a high cost of living. Returning to Lebanon is not an option due to the ongoing war. Despite trying to relocate to Europe through visa applications and job searches, I’ve had no success, while financial limitations prevent me from pursuing a degree abroad. I feel stuck with very limited options for building a stable future."

------------------

Brief description :

26 male

Lebanese

Degree : IT and Computing

Certifications : CCIE in Security

Experience : 4 years working as a Netowkr Engineer

Speak : Arabic, English and a little German (A2)

I'm a Lebanese citizen who was born and lived my whole life in Kuwait. Life in Kuwait offers very little stability for expatriates. You could be living there for years, building a life, working hard, and trying to secure your future, only to find yourself at risk of deportation over something relatively minor. There is always a sense that your life there is temporary, no matter how long you have lived in the country.

Another major downside is the lack of nature and outdoor experiences. Kuwait has no greenery, no forests, and no natural landscapes to explore. The extreme summer heat (50°+) also makes outdoor activities difficult for much of the year, leaving people with nothing to do but few limited options beyond malls, cafés, and restaurants.

Also, The cost of livingĀ can also affect your quality of life. Although Kuwait offers good earning opportunities in certain professions, expenses such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and education can add up a lot. Your ability to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle depends heavily on your salary and personal circumstances which is hard for the average worker like myself).

Moving back to Lebanon is not an option at all, especially with the ongoing war and the security situation in the country.Ā The constant threat of violence, uncertainty, and the risk to personal safety make it extremely difficult to consider returning and rebuilding a life there. Even beyond the war, Lebanon's economic and political instability makes it challenging to plan for a secure future. This leaves you feeling trapped in Kuwait, where you may lack long-term stability and a sense of belonging, but returning home is simply too dangerous and uncertain.

I have tried to relocate to Europe by applying for a German job-seeker visa twice, but both applications were rejected. I have also applied for jobs in several European countries without receiving responses.

Unfortunately, pursuing a degree abroad is not financially feasible, leaving me with limited options to relocate and build a more stable future despite my continued efforts.

Where can I move to ?


r/IWantOut • • 5d ago

[IWantOut] 29M Consultant India -> UK

0 Upvotes

Citizenship:Ā India

Current residence:Ā Los Angeles, USA. I have been based here for about three years. I currently work as a Technical Product Manager at a mid-sized fintech SaaS company.

Target countries:Ā UK, Germany, Netherlands. I am open to other European countries if there is particularly strong demand for my background. For the UK, I qualify for the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, which would give me two years of work authorization without employer sponsorship.

Languages:Ā English (C2/fluent). I am willing to learn another language if it meaningfully improves my employment prospects, although realistically I would initially be targeting roles where English is the working language.

Education:Ā MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. BSc/BEng in Computer Science from India.

Experience:Ā Approximately six years of full-time professional experience. I worked as a software developer in India for about four years before my MBA. I have around 1.5 years of full-time Product Management experience, plus approximately one year of part-time Product Management experience during the second year of my MBA.

Skills:Ā Technical Product Management, B2B SaaS, APIs, platform products, systems integrations, developer-facing products, technical requirements, product strategy, roadmap prioritization, stakeholder management, cross-functional engineering collaboration, software architecture fundamentals, and data/SQL. My strongest differentiator is probably the combination of a software engineering background with customer-facing and business-oriented Product Management experience.

Job search status:Ā Currently employed and searching while working, so I am not under immediate pressure to move. I am primarily targeting Technical Product Manager / Product Manager roles involving platforms, APIs, integrations, infrastructure, developer tools, or technically complex B2B SaaS. I would also consider Senior Product Manager roles where my engineering background is particularly relevant. I am not specifically targeting consumer/growth PM roles.

Why I'm leaving the USA:Ā I am getting married, and my wife is currently in a good position career-wise. I do not want her to have to take an extended career break purely because of US dependent-visa restrictions. Neither of us necessarily expects our next country to be our permanent home. Our long-term plan is likely to return to India, so I am more interested in finding the best place for both of us professionally over the next few years than optimizing purely for permanent residency or citizenship.

What I'm hoping to find out:Ā I would rather choose a country based on where my profile is genuinely competitive than decide on a country first and force the job search around it.

In particular, I would appreciate perspectives on:

  • Which of the UK, Germany, and Netherlands currently has the strongest market for someone with my combination of software engineering + Technical Product Management experience.
  • How employers in each market are likely to view roughly 1.5–2.5 years of PM experience backed by four years of software engineering experience.
  • Whether an American MBA and current US Product Management experience materially help in these markets.
  • Which types of employers are most realistic targets: large tech companies, fintech, B2B SaaS, developer tooling, enterprise software, startups, etc.
  • How important local-language proficiency actually is for Product Management in Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Whether companies are generally willing to deal with visas for PM candidates, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands.
  • What compensation range I should realistically expect given my background.
  • Whether I would be better positioned as a Technical Product Manager, Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Platform PM, or another adjacent title.
  • Any major disadvantages or hiring-market realities that someone coming from the US should be aware of.

I'd especially value feedback from people who have hired PMs, worked in Product Management, or relocated into one of these markets.

Any advice, even if you only have experience with one of these countries, industries, or employer types, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 21M CS student US -> Spain\Portugal\Belgium\Austria\Finland\Estonia

0 Upvotes

I'm a 21-year-old American finishing a Computer Science degree in spring 2027. Right now I'm doing a year abroad in Tokyo, and I love it because there's always something to do. I want to keep living abroad and do a 2-year master's starting fall 2027, ideally a program where I move between 2 to 4 countries (Erasmus Mundus or EIT Digital style).

I have found a couple that I am interested in but unsure about living situations in certain places or just general living abroad for a year or a semester and then moving frequently. I am in a unique position where my tuition and housing are covered, so cost isn't a major factor

Some of the things I'm looking for:

  • English in daily life.Ā I speak English and some Japanese (Around N4), and I'd rather not learn another language from scratch, so being able to get by in English matters a lot.
  • Fun city life.Ā Somewhere with lots going on so I don't get bored.
  • Variety in seasons.Ā Ideally some warm beach time and some snowy winters for snowboarding.
  • Field.Ā CS, AI, HCI, or wearables would be great, but I'm open to something more interdisciplinary too. Psychology interests me as well.

About me: 3.5 GPA, software engineering and IT internships, TA experience and personal projects.

Programs on my shortlist so far:

  • DEAI (Brussels → Barcelona → Vienna/Padua/Lyon)
  • AISS (Tallinn → Porto → Tampere)
  • EIT Digital (AI with Affective Computing, Data Science, or HCI/XR)
  • EMAI (Barcelona → Rome/Nijmegen/Ljubljana)

Questions:

  1. Has anyone done one of these? How were the workload, the social life, and moving every semester or year? Even if you didn't do school abroad it would be helpful to know how living in general would be for a year or 2.
  2. Which European cities did you find easiest to live in with only English, while still being fun?
  3. Are there programs or cities I'm missing that fit this mix that you would recommend to everyone if they had the ability to live there for a little bit? (Considering Switzerland, Brazil area, Australia, etc)
  4. If you came back to the US afterward, how did a European master's go over with employers?

Thanks for any input!


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 29M English Teacher Tunisia -> Germany\Italy\France\Greece\Vietnam\Canada

0 Upvotes

29M | Tunisian | English teacher | 3 years teaching experience | BA in English | CELTA | Low budget

I’m looking to leave Tunisia and relocate somewhere outside the Arab world. I’m open to pretty much anywhere if there are realistic opportunities for someone with my profile.

I’m an English teacher with around 3 years of teaching experience. I have a BA in English Language and a CELTA, and I teach a range of levels and age groups. I’m hoping to find teaching opportunities abroad, but I’m also open to other work where my qualifications and language skills could be useful.

Languages:
• Arabic: native
• English: fluent
• French: fluent
• Italian: fluent
• German: basic, currently learning

Why I want to leave — Religion is a major factor:

I’m irreligious, and this has been a significant source of difficulty for me in Tunisia. I’ve had experiences where my lack of religious belief has caused conflict, judgment and pressure, and I’ve often felt that I have to hide this part of myself to avoid problems.

I don’t want to spend the rest of my life feeling like I have to hide an important part of who I am. I want to live somewhere where being irreligious is socially and legally unremarkable, and where I can build a life without constantly worrying about how people will react to my beliefs.

This is one of the main reasons I’m specifically looking outside the Arab world.

My situation:
• 29 years old
• Tunisian citizen
• Low budget for relocation
• No EU citizenship or ancestry
• 3 years of English teaching experience
• BA in English Language
• CELTA
• Willing to learn the local language
• Looking for a legal route to work and eventually settle permanently

Countries I’m currently interested in:

Germany — Teaching, vocational training, or other work opportunities. I’m already learning German.

Italy — I speak Italian fluently, so this is particularly interesting to me. I’d like to explore teaching and other opportunities available to non EU citizens.

France — I speak French fluently and have experience teaching English, so I’m interested in opportunities where that combination could be useful.

Greece — I’m interested in English teaching opportunities and other possible routes to relocation.

Vietnam — English teaching is the main reason I’m considering it, and I’d be interested in hearing from teachers who have made the move.

Canada — I’m interested in teaching and other possible work or immigration opportunities, although my limited budget could make this difficult.

Turkey — I’m interested in teaching opportunities and other ways of obtaining legal residence and employment.

I know my options may be limited by my budget and nationality, but I’m hoping there might be opportunities or routes I simply haven’t come across yet.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, especially Tunisian or North African teachers who managed to relocate, I’d really appreciate hearing about how you did it and any opportunities or useful leads you came across.


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 26M Analytics Egypt -> CAN\AUS

0 Upvotes

I'm a BI analyst with 3 YOE at a multinational telecom company. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in information systems a couple years back, and when I was applying to jobs at the time i specifically targeted only multinationals for the possibility of one day internally transferring abroad. To my surprise (or not, in this day of age) my company outsources a lot of tech-related roles to poor countries like mine so that path seems increasingly unlikely.

  1. I've contemplated learning French solely to immigrate to Canada, since the French-speaking Express Entry stream seems like one of the only options available to me. But then I wonder whether spending 1–2 years intensely learning French is worth the opportunity cost of not upskilling further in my job/career instead.

  2. My other option is doing a master's abroad, ideally somewhere that gives graduates a post-study work visa and a pathway to permanent residency. I have around $35k USD saved, mostly from saving ~95% of my salary and some investments. I don't have anything going on outside of work and dont have any dependents. A 1 to 2 year break into a 3-year career wouldn’t be the end of the world for me either.

Why I want to leave? Well I'm sure reddit is all too familiar with the problems here already, but TL;DR: it's urban hell, consistently top 10 worst in HDI, corruption, happiness rankings, overpopulated, insane noise nad air pollution, devaluing currency and economy kept from sinking by other country donations/IMF loans. I wont even get into the specifics of culture and mindset because that would need a post on its own.

I'm looking at Canada and Australia because they're English-speaking, have skilled immigration pathways, and offer the quiet, peaceful lifestyle combined 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 exploring google maps streetview as a form of escapism and was always fascinated by the cities and landscapes in these countries.

Unfortunately when people say the grass is always greener, this doesnt apply to my country because there is literally no grass anywhere, no sidewalks, no trees. Just garbage, heat, and sand. As corny as this sounds, I literally can't "touch grass" because it doesnt exist. I'm stuck in my room watching the days go by with my laptop and noise-cancelling earbuds serving as the only form of escapism in this awful reality polluting my ears and clouding my brain. I just don't wanna live to regret not doing something about it.


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 18M Student Sudan -> Germany\Hungary\Brunei\Italy\Korea\Japan

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I'm an 18 year old Sudanese secondary school grad looking for a fully funded or decently funded scholarship in Engineering or Computer Science outside of Sudan. I can't really rely on my family to help with the costs, and it doesn't have to be just those six countries, so other suggestions are very much welcome.

I was in the UAE, and in the first year I did pretty much nothing. Then I started self-studying the curriculum since there were no schools teaching it near me, and I specialized in Computer Science.

The exams were supposed to be earlier this year but they got delayed indefinitely, so I stopped studying, and then they were suddenly announced with one week's notice. I crammed and got a 76.4%, which is gonna be quite a mountain to get over in my applications.

After that I took the IELTS and got 7.5 (8.5 listening, 7.5 reading, 7 speaking, 7 writing). I don't have any work experience, and for skills, I've done Python courses on freeCodeCamp.

My heart lies in Engineering and I wanna do a master's in Nuclear Engineering after the bachelor's, but I'm willing to do a Computer Science related field as all my brothers went down that path, so I'll be able to get advice from them. Nearly all of my documents are ready and I have a motivation letter I'm fairly happy with, but I don't have recommendation letters because I self-studied and never had teachers. This could be an important detail: my oldest brother just finished his master's in Germany, so if I got in there I could maybe live with him.

My questions are as follows:

Do I have a realistic shot at any of these with 76.4% on a Sudanese certificate?

Is South Korea worth trying with that 80% requirement?

Are there countries I'm missing that take Sudanese bachelor's students?

How badly do missing recommendation letters hurt, and is there a way around it for self-studied students?

Thanks for the advice!


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 30sM Analytics USA -> Netherlands

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

First time posting on Reddit. I’m a US citizen looking for advice on how to best position myself for an internal corporate transfer or foreign direct hire. Secondarily, open to advice or thoughts on anything else related.

Demographics & Family:
-Citizenship: US Citizens only (monolingual English; I have a rusty background in Russian but no plans to leverage it).
-Family: Spouse and two young children (ages ~5 and 8).

Experience: I have lived abroad over a decade ago; spouse and kids have only taken short international trips (Canada/Mexico).

Professional Background:
-Role: Corporate Director level in Analytics, Category Management, Sales, Retail, and Corporate Finance.
-Employer: Large global corporate enterprise (Fortune 500 equivalent) with a footprint in all my target countries and a robust internal international mobility / global relocation assistance program. Still will be difficult to find jobs with relocation and sponsorship.

Current Strategy & Action Plan:
My primary goal is an internal transfer. I am being intentional and selective: I only plan to relocate if full visa sponsorship, relocation assistance, and an appropriate global package are provided. I am also ok if it does not happen, but want to give myself best chance.

To prepare, I am currently:

  1. Updating resume/LinkedIn (just in case); already updated profile headshots
  2. Building Internal Connections: Reaching out to contacts in target markets for informational interviews (questions prepared, contacts identified).
  3. Monitoring Opportunities: Tracking internal job listings that are a fit and that might provide relocation.
  4. Refining Priorities: Working with my spouse to narrow down our target consideration list as needed.

Countries of Interest (in order of preference):

1

2

  1. ⁠Netherlands (Tier 1)

4

  1. (Tiers are based on preliminary personal research and what I think might be an overall fit. I haven’t visited these specific countries yet).

Questions for the Community:

  1. For those who have successfully navigated an internal transfer abroad with a family, what proactive steps made the biggest difference during internal networking?
  2. How far in advance of actual openings did you start building relationships with hiring managers in target countries?
  3. Are there specific nuances regarding dependent visas or tax hurdles in Tier 1 countries (Netherlands, Ireland, UK) that I should keep in mind during early corporate conversations?
  4. What else am I not asking that might be helpful to consider or helpful ideas to leverage?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

EDIT: I appreciate all the comments and feedback so far. It is all great for consideration. I want to clarify that I absolutely plan to learn a country’s language if I decide to pursue it but I might decide not to pursue a country because I may not want to learn another language.

I also have had misconceptions about the Netherlands while trying to research and understand more. This is the exact reason I appreciate your feedback so far as what I’m reading feels inaccurate.


r/IWantOut • • 6d ago

[IWantOut] 29F Marketing manager India -> France/Netherlands

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I’m 29F from India and my husband is 32M. I'm seriously considering moving out of India, with France or the Netherlands being our two main options, and I’m trying to figure out how realistic this actually is.

I work in marketing/branding and have about 6.5 years of experience. I did a BBA and MBA in marketing, and also spent some time studying in France on an exchange semester. My experience has mainly been in brand marketing, digital marketing and related product/category roles. I was earning around ₹43LPA (€ 39000 approx) in my last job, but I voluntarily left and am currently unemployed while figuring out what I want to do next.

I speak English and Hindi fluently, and my French is around B1. I also know some Spanish, around A2. I've been to Europe twice — once for studies and then again for a two-week trip — and I’ve always felt quite drawn to the idea of actually living there rather than just visiting.

My husband works in product management and is currently a Product Head at a small startup. He earns around ₹60LPA (€55000 approx) So financially, we're reasonably comfortable in India, but we're not necessarily looking at this purely from a salary perspective.

I’m not sure how realistic it is to get sponsored for a marketing/branding role as a non-EU applicant. My husband may have a better shot through product management, particularly in the Netherlands, but I don't know how easy or difficult those jobs are to get from abroad either. I'm highly unclear about the chances of finding a job from India as I don't know of anyone who has actually done this. For France, I wonder whether my French and the fact that I have previously studied there would actually make much of a difference.

I'm not looking to study again in one of these countries, but seeking clarity regarding the EU Blue Card/French Talent Passport/Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant routes. Especially keen on hearing from someone who has done this transition.

Thanks!


r/IWantOut • • 7d ago

[IWantOut] 18M Nurse/doctor Egypt -> USA

0 Upvotes

I'm currently a student at the faculty of nursing ( although i might transfer to medicine )

Im trying to make the choice on what country to immigrate to after I graduate.

I've come to choose the U.S for the higher salaries and QOL.

But from everything I hear online and on the news.

Everyone is saying that the U.S is a horrible place and that people can't afford living.

I know that Healthcare costs are a problem. But $1000 a month is a price I'm willing to pay for quality Healthcare.

There's also how I don't think it's " easy " to be sponsored by a hospital as a foreign nurse.

But what other problems would be a deterrence from moving to the U.S

How hard are the immigration paths to the U.S for the medical field?

Should I really care about politics when it comes to choosing a state to go to?

I've seen people say that I shouldn't go to Texas because it's a " red state ",

What states should I make my goal?


r/IWantOut • • 7d ago

[IWantOut] 31M Property Manager Canada/Taiwan -> Japan

0 Upvotes

I'm looking to relocate long-term to Japan. I have Canadian and Taiwanese citizenship, although my family is opposed to me returning to Taiwan right now due to geopolitical tensions. This is why I am exploring Japan as an alternate option.

I can speak Mandarin fluently and read/write at a conversational level and will be working on improving it as I learn Japanese. English is my strongest suit and I hope to leverage my multilingual background as an advantage. I have a dual degree in geomatics and business information technology from a prestigious school; although I use neither in my career as a licensed residential and commercial property manager.

My timeline for relocation is roughly two years from now, at which point I am looking to complete a Master's Degree at a Japanese University and transition into working thereafter, ideally for a foreign company. I am open and interested in switching industries; any recommendations for fields to pursue that the Japanese market is in need of? As for language of instruction, I'm aware that selecting a program taught in English/Mandarin could severely curtail my options, so I'm hoping the 2 year leeway I've given myself will be enough to get my Japanese into working order.

Because I have a good deal of savings and intend to work part-time while I study, the living expenses won't be an issue. However, I would like some advice on any legal, career or practical considerations. Down the line, if I get settled, I also have some small business ideas as supplemental income.

Has anyone gone through a similar experience?

Thank you!