Anticipating Expatriation

May 6, 2006 10:40 PM

I'm 17 years old and considering moving to Europe after graduate school, roughly 8 years from now if all goes to plan. I am a dual citizen (Belgium-US). What should I do during the coming years of college towards this end?

I'm specifically thinking of Germany or Belgium. I was raised bilingually, speaking Dutch and English, and I am more or less conversationally fluent in Dutch. Because Dutch isn't spoken very widely, and because I really like German culture I've decided to take German in college. I'm looking to study in Germany as an exchange student as well, both to help my German and see if my fondness will survive a long term stay (I've been to Germany several times, but only for 3 months at the longest). Are there any other things I should do in preperation for possible expatriation? How hard will it be for me to be employed as an engineer in Germany or Belgium with Belgian citizenship and U.S. academic credentials (realizing the situation could be very different in 8 years)?

posted by phrontist to Society & Culture (10 answers total)

Response by poster: roughly 8 years
Err... five to six.
posted by phrontist at 10:49 PM on May 6, 2006

With Belgian citizenship it seems that you won't have many issues finding employment in the EU, this is a problem for some Americans looking for jobs there. For example, some positions are only available to non-EU citizens if one can prove that someone from that country can't do that job already.

Depending upon which program you take in the US, you might need a year or two more to get an equivalent degree recognition in Germany.
posted by vkxmai at 10:54 PM on May 6, 2006

Shouldn't be any problem at all on the citizenship front, given that you're an EU citizen, not just a Belgian. As for the academics, hard to say. It will probably come down to your personality and your fluency in German (which should come quickly given Dutch and German similarities). Being fluent in English will be a great help, too.

If you're in Belgium, picking up a little French wouldn't hurt.
posted by jimmythefish at 10:56 PM on May 6, 2006

Response by poster: I took french in highschool. I hate it with every fibre of my being. How essential is French to working in Belgium (specifically Flanders)? I never had any problems communicating with just Dutch there, but maybe the workplace is different.
posted by phrontist at 11:09 PM on May 6, 2006

What are you planning to study in college and what field do you hope to work in?
posted by LarryC at 11:49 AM on May 7, 2006

Why don't you do either college or graduate school in the EU? If you don't want to do that, do your summer jobs in Germany, Belgium and / or Holland.
posted by zia at 1:14 PM on May 7, 2006

Response by poster: I'm studying electrical engineering, and I'd like to be employed in some engineering capacity.
posted by phrontist at 3:09 PM on May 7, 2006

At most colleges it should not be too hard to do a study abroad year, usually as a junior. The year abroad is usually about language fluency and partying, but in your case you could make some professional contacts. I know nothing about electrical engineering, but your desire to ultimately live in Europe could very much shape your choice of a graduate institution. Also, are there internet forums for European engineers or engineering students you could visit?
posted by LarryC at 7:08 AM on May 9, 2006

I would imagine the Germans may not like an American engineering degree. But that's just a guess based on what I've heard of the Germans. YMMV.

French isn't needed in Flanders, English is a plus. But German is another official language of Belgium (there is a pocket of German-speakers), so that is a potential plus.
(my partner is Flemmish)
posted by Goofyy at 10:40 AM on May 9, 2006

I second the idea of studying abroad, but not just a year, earn the entire degree in Europe. The EU (and some other European countries is in the process of harmonizing all of its academic degrees to make it easier to work in the different member states. If you have an American degree, it might make things more complicated. With a Belgian or German degree you will be receiving an education that is tailored (more or less) to the demands of the European market.
posted by sic at 11:18 AM on May 13, 2006