by "Hoccy" (Hoccy)
Published 05/21/2017 at 12:59
by "Hoccy" (Hoccy)
Published 05/21/2017 at 12:59
Tags: Oppoinions
STARS: 1
I might be moving to Germany later this year.
My girlfriend who I’ve been together with for a year now just got offered a PhD position at a university in Bremen without even applying. She is from Germany, and also did her BSc at the same university. We are discussing how it would be for me as a Norwegian with a MSc in Environmental Geology to move to Germany, and so far these are the arguments that come up:
Arguments for:
- We would live together at a lower cost
- She would get the PhD she is dreaming of
- She gets to live in and work Germany close to her family for 3-4 years, and I don’t have to feel bad about us moving back to Norway afterwards.
- I don’t have any job offers yet, and only 24 years old it could be a nice experience.
- Sooo many automotive events nearby
Arguments against:
- I’m not sure how easy it is for me to get a job there, at least until I improve my German.
- I would live approximately 6 hours of travel (car+flight+car) away from my family.
- I’ll have a lower income compared to Norway, and may not get relevant work experience .
- I’ll live in an area with no hills and no winter (I’m Norwegian).
What do you think OPPO? Do you have any more arguments, things to consider and input on what opportunities I have?
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
05/21/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
What are your chances for an Environmental Geology related job around Bremen?
Germany does have more WorldRX races than Norway, so that is a plus, right?
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
05/21/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 4
I live about 4.5 hours from my family and sometimes that’s not enough ... and sounds win-win for both of you. Send us a photo from the ‘Ring.
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 0
My GF found 10+ relevant companies/labs/institutes in an hour yesterday, and the people she will work with will have contacts. They also don’t have Environmental Geology as such at any university in Germany. Though it is uncertain how open they are to someone that won’t be fluent in German for some time.
And yes, I’ll be able to go to Estering, Hockenheim, Rallye Deutschland and other things easily!
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
05/21/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 0
That sounds promising, but I understand your uncertainty about the language barrier. Maybe it could help if you take a German course, to up the level of your German skills quickly.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/21/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 1
Okay, the arguments for we can skip. The cons:
- I’m not sure how easy it is for me to get a job there, at least until I improve my German.
With Norway being part of the EU that should not be a problem I think. Not sure what your background is/skills are but I know enough German companies you could work for speaking mainly English. At least: when I look at some fellow Dutchies working in Germany, they don’t work at Bremen though.
- I would live approximately 6 hours of travel (car+flight+car) away from my family.
Ideal for some trips in the weekend I’d say, not that bad. I used to drive of to Sank Ankton once, twice a month, an 8 hour drive. The flight even makes it way more easy then that!
- I’ll have a lower income compared to Norway, and may not get relevant work experience .
Look at your first argument for and several other things that are way cheaper in Germany (Beer!). A check of the Big Mac Index will learn there’s way more! There’s a reason income is higher in Norway: Living there is more expensive.
- I’ll live in an area with no hills and no winter (I’m Norwegian).
See my second argument. ;-) Or take a plane from Bremen to Geneva, Graz or Salzburg.
So do it, a foreign experience looks nice on any cv as well!
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
05/21/2017 at 13:36, STARS: 2
Norway’s not actually in the EU of course but they have signed up to free movement of labour.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/21/2017 at 13:39, STARS: 0
You’re right here of course, totally.
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
05/21/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 1
They voted against twice because they have oil instead.
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 1
Thanks. The first argument is the big question mark, the others are something I can probably live with.
And yes, I forgot how well a foreign experience can look. Besides, we Norwegians work a lot with Germans so it can be very usual to know the language better.
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 1
Yep, she found three German courses as well. I think just reading and hearing it every day will help a lot too.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
05/21/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
Yeah, I think that does help.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/21/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 0
And keep in mind that German ain’t that hard, you’ve learned that other Germanic language as well ;-)
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 1
I’ve had German in school even! Just never used it and VERY rusty.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
05/21/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 1
Well, then you know how easy it is: Just add some Bier und Bratwurst and your golden!
The first time you’ll do a Touristenfahrt on the Norschleife you’ll thank me. If you haven’t done that already that is. ;-)
"Twinpowermeansoneturbo" (twinpower)
05/21/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 1
You seem to have forgotten the best argument for...
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 0
More of a bonus, that one.
"fintail" (fintail)
05/21/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 1
Mach es einmal. Lower living costs, adventurous driving, more central location for holidays, keeps she who must be pleased happy, it’ll work out.
My employer has presence in Germany, if an offer to spend some time there came up, I would jump on it.
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
05/21/2017 at 15:58, STARS: 0
We should also consider what kind of effect it will have on Svenstukare posts.
But in the meantime, ask your woman to converse with you in German more. The only way to get better is to do it. Start with little bits here and there, and discomfort eventually turns to comfort.
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/21/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 0
Svenskstukare will live on ;)
Yeah, that’s a good idea. She thinks my German sounds funny so it could be entertaining to speak more of it.