Job Discussion Forums

Jesse A.J. · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Wien, Austria

Hello! I am a U.S. citizen abroad in Wien, Austria and I am trying to find a way to establish residence here. I have a bachelor's degree but no TEFL/TESL training. I do have teaching experience (both music and english) but it was to english speaking high school students. I have contacted the english teaching organization here in Austria and am waiting for a reply. What do you think would be a smart next step? Thanks a bunch.

Jesse

Showem · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 31

Find a list of language schools (Yellow pages will do) and start phoning them up. Have a copy of your CV ready and be prepared to be flexible.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Watch out for the "Auslaenderbehoerde" whose sole purpose is to deport illegal aliens like you !

The US Government won't let us work there . Why should we let you work in Europe ?

Chris · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 5:54 am Post subject:

Oh for God's sake! Get over it Scot47! When I was working in Poland all those years, you kept on saying that it's impossible to find a job in Germany legally for an American.

Well, I am an American and am working at a very well-paid (which keeps getting better because of the slide in the dollar--I have school debt in $$) EFL training job in Germany... LEGALLY. Would you like me to scan in and post my "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" which I received from the "Auslaenderbehoerde" stating that I can work for my employer at least until the end of my contract in 2006? I'm employed--not freelance (30 days paid vacation, paid holidays and sick pay, etc). I even just got my German driver's license which only cost 35 Euro.. Good for life.

AND, I know a LOT of Brits/Europeans who are working in the US.. Ok, not personally known to me in the ESL sector, but there are still a LOT. And why would you want to try to work in the ESL sector in an English speaking country anyway? We're talking about Austria, not Australia... Last I checked, they spoke German, so it's EFL.

Anyway, glad I got that off my chest. It's been a stressful week at work.

Ok, so I know it's possible for Americans to work in Germany legally, but am not quite sure how you would go about getting permission to work in Austria. So I guess I didn't help much. Confused

The Overcoat · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 68

Regular readers of Private Eye won't have failed to miss the Warballs. Wink

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Warballs" ?????

Enlighten us. Not all of us read PE regularly. I guarantee a majority of posters here have never even HEARD of that benighted magazine !

The Overcoat · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 68

Warballs is the American penchant for mentioning 9-11 anywhere and everywhere, especially during arguements or when trying to sell something. I.e. 9-11 was the world most shocking terrorist attack ever, it has shown us that we must live life to the full, so why not treat yourself to a Louis Vitton handbag.

Chris · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:18 am Post subject:

Oh for f**k's sake!!

You know what, I don't give a crap for "my" country. It's not my country anymore. I don't belong to Jesusland...

Anyway, I've deleted the offending part. And no, I'm not an idiot who thinks that was the worst thing that happened in the world. Despite the fact that my Greek Orthodox Palestinian friend died while working there. He could have died anywhere.

I also had a Spanish friend that I lost due to the Madrid bombing (she did not die, but she had a mental breakdown and doesn't want to talk to anyone she knew at that time.)

In any case, there are a LOT of foreigners working in the US LEGALLY who did not need to marry an American to do so. In fact, I have many friends in the US who have had their green cards supplied by their employers--friends from Mexico, India, Egypt, Canada, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and many more places.

At least I give factual information. My job, the money and the satisfaction I receive from it, are better than I expected when I accepted the offer. Now, nothing's perfect and I'm not happy with all aspects, but I'm much better off now than I have been in a long time.

My passport says I'm American, I am not married and I am working legally in Germany as a full-time employee with all the benefits.

The Overcoat · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 68

Chris · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:06 am Post subject:

Ok, I'm back to earth...

No, she stopped talking to everyone.

Anyway, the original question was about whether an American can work legally in Austria and how he should go about doing it. I don't think anyone answered that question.

I gave my experience with Germany just to prove that it is possible to work in at least one country in the EU for an American. Maybe it's possible in Austria.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

EU countries have differing rules. Some are stricter. Try getting a work permit for Netherlands, for example!! Austria is much tighter than Germany. Belgium has agreements with the US that sometimes allow non-EU citizens to work legally.......it's on a country-by-country basis, so your experience in Germany does not translate to Austria. Unfortunately.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Why is "Austria" under "Germany" anyway ? I understood that the Anschluss of 1938 was annulled by the defeat of the Third Reich in 1945!

Maybe for many USAnians "Europe" is one country ?

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Counts as humour in some parts.

Blatant criticism aimed at this board's creator for not having an Austria forum. People have been banned for less.

The Overcoat · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 68

I'll take him on anyday, he looks a right *beep* in that hat.

The Overcoat · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 68

i can't say *beep*? What about shit stabber? Arse bandit?