Job Discussion Forums

[eslmeg]

I am an American heading to Prague in July 2005. Does anyone have any experience with working in Western Europe?

[spiral78]

First of all, it's unclear whether you want to work in Prague (Central Europe) or head west to some of the original EU member countries like Germany, France, Italy, and etc.
There are jobs for Americans in Central Europe, though in some cases EU teachers are already given priority in hiring. By next summer, there could be some issues as laws are changing, but it's not likely to be an insurmountable problem.
Western European countries have different laws, but all favor the hiring of other EU nationals. For example, it's very nearly impossible for North Americans to get legal working papers in the Netherlands. Germany is a bit more open, though there are still lots of legal hoops to jump through. Probably, the best advice is for you to read the forums first, then ask any leftover questions you still have.

[merlin]

We just went through processing the visa for an American. What a pain in the @$$! I did my visa a long time ago and had forgotten how difficult it was.
Non-EU citizens (yes, even Americans) need to plan for a 3-6 month period during which you will either live off of savings or work illegally. This is best done over a summer break. You come in May and might be able to legally work by september. 3 months if your employer is on the ball and has all the papers in order when you get here (and willing to look the other way on certain legal technicalities). 6 months to never otherwise.

Sorry, but those are the facts.

[stillnosheep]

[Brooks]

the British Council needed Americans to teach for the TOEFL, but only hired Americans part-time.
There was work teaching Czech soldiers in Prague, and was for Americans only.

[junkmail]

[spiral78]

Wrong. The Dutch DO need English teachers! True, not for basic English for Dutch-born citizens, but there is a need for academic English teachers of all genres. Dutch English is great 'casual' English, but for specific study and work, they need ESP. And of course you're aware that there is a huge immigrant population in the Netherlands, many of whom are in need of both Dutch and English to get good jobs.

[junkmail]

O.K. I stand corrected. I'd completely forgotten about the immigrants.

As for the academic stuff, yes but as you say it's not conversational English and therefore doesn't have to be a foreigner teaching it. You're probably right but I know a fair few Dutch people who studied at foreign universities without.

Mindyou, there again at that level I wouldn't have thought it would be difficult to seek a work permit; for suitably qualified academic types I mean. Hmm. I must do some research.

[spiral78]

I taught 3 yrs in Nederlands at uni level, primarily in Business and Economics. However, impossible to get a work permit until my spouse's company (big international) swung a deal with Den Haag on behalf of all non-EU spouses of their staff. The uni was willing to go to court to petition for an exception in my case to EU hiring law, but were told the case would certainly lose. So, I can say with fair certainty that a work permit in Nederlands is nearly impossible for non-EUs, regardless of qualifications....

[junkmail]

Sorry for that. That's really poor. How can we progress with such closed doors.

[Cardinal Synn]

It's the EU! You've got the US and we've got the EU. I can't just turn up in the states and start working. It works both ways. Difference is that in the EU we get to experience different cultures and languages and histories - thank God!!!

[spiral78]

I wasn't complaining about non-EU citizen hiring laws. My situation was different because I had to live within the EU for my spouses' work. I think in that case, the right decision was ultimately made. It's a whole different kettle of fish for someone to just sort of casually want to live in a country and to feel somehow entitled to do so. I think in a perfect world, the borders would all be open, but the current reciprocal laws are more or less fair, I suppose.

[Fud]

[Hector_Lector]

�Fud� should, of course, be written �***', for as all good Scottish people know, it means a lady's private parts. Then again, it might be an appropriate name, as you are making a complete 'c***' of yourself. I think that the 'dingy' should probably be applied to the McDonald and Starbucks you mentioned.

Cruzcampo - not that great of a beer.

This could be a new slogan.

[Fud]

You know what I find funny about McDonalds and Starbucks in Europe?

They're never, ever empty.