If you train for one job in one language how difficult is it to transition and do the job in another country using a different language? I'm asking this question because I live in the USA, am 22 years old, and speak English and French fluently and want to train for a job here but move to either Switzerland or a Scandinavian country. I have, so far, an associate's degree in arts (studied in English) and plan to get a bachelor's degree in probably either a science or engineering. I don't have an ideal career as long as I make enough money to support myself and my future family and have a work-life balance. However, this means that I will be undertaking my studies using the English language and not French, Swiss German, Italian, Swedish etc... Which sort of careers would have an easier transition and which ones would be more difficult? I imagine mechanical engineering to be more transferable than, say, a doctor. A doctor would have to know what tachycardia is in Swedish while an engineer would have to know math and equations. Right? So my three main questions are: 1: Which sort of careers (what should I major in) are in good demand in Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries? 2: Which careers would have an easier time transfering to being used in another language? Or which careers would I still be able to use English in despite living in, say Finland? 3: What about teaching English and/or French in Switzerland or a Scandinavian country as a career? I still like America and it's people, please don't get me wrong, but I much prefer the way those people live. By the way I have French citizenship and only a green card from the USA.
Other - Switzerland - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
This is a travel related forum, not a place for socio-economical questions (although that they are asked all the time). A better online resource to ask your kind of question is the the EnglishForumSwitzerland (http://bit.ly/8XDN0Y ). So, please don't expect too many good answers here. For questions about Scandinavia, please go the the approproiate forums. For now: 1.) Engeneering (IT in particular) or banking. Languages as such are a not the base for getting a job here - the majority of people living in Switzerland speak two, three or even more of them anyway. 2.) Same as above 3.) You need a university degree for teaching English or French. Too many others try to do the same thing, your chances to get hired for appropriate jobs are very slim. Good news: If you have French citizenship you can live and work freely in Wily Tell's own country. The only thing you need is a working contract and you'll automatically be granted a residency permit. And last but not least: US green card holders are no longer exempt from the visa obligation for short stays in Switzerland. If you want to see and travel the country (which I recommend) and decide later, make sure to bring a French passport.
2 :
1. Not sure, but I'd go with something that interests you so you're not stuck in a field you hate. 2. Probably just about anything. You do know that in Finland they speak fantastic Englsh, right? 3. Be prepared to make little money. Teaching doesn't pay well.
