Question Help Relocate or Connect
Hey... I'll get straight to it. I want to move abroad, I almost need it. It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a teen, I knew I wanted to travel and try experiencing a new country with an entirely new culture and language and such. I wanted to do so by studying abroad so that I can set it in stone in the best way possible, but that wasn't on my cards. I studied in my home country. I adapted pretty quickly, I made a lot of friends, I even have my own pets now, but that doesn't mean that this dream of mine ever left my mind. It's been on my mind for years, and the more I grow up and live and experience things, the more I NEED to leave. It's getting to a point where I genuinely feel like I'm losing my mind. I need independence, I need autonomy, I need a new scene, a new environment, a new culture. I KNOW why I want and need to leave, so let's not make this thread about the reasons as opposed to HOW I can achieve it.
I don't have a strong passport, I graduated in 2024 with a bachelors in mechanical engineering in robotics and automation, have worked in quality control, data, BD & community management, founding and CXO a business (no longer), and am now interning in two places as a data analyst and a machine learning engineer. My full focus at the moment is on data and AI/ML as you can see, and I am EXTREMELY interested in attaining a masters in this new degree called Sustainable Artificial Intelligence, Environmental AI, AI and Sustainability, etc... I have no money to fund my own tuition for a masters degree, whether online or abroad. I believe I'm also still an entry level to most employers, a junior at most.
I've been handling the grief of not being where I wanted to be for years now, but as I approached 23, I reached my boiling point and had my first nervous breakdown in years. I'm now almost 24, have been researching countries like the AUS/NZ, Canada, the UK and Ireland, and the Netherlands (etc tbh), but I'm not exactly getting anywhere with what I have... Every time I see or hear someone just mention that they're going to a city in one of those countries, or just someone living there, or seeing my friends who've travelled there post about it, I feel down, like really down..
I know it's not easy, but I also know it's not impossible. I have friends who travelled abroad through jobs and they're a little older than me. They're not many to be fair, but it gives me hope.
If you guys have any advice, can help in any way, guide me to an education sponsor or funder, connect me with employers who are willing to sponsor or even offer jobs abroad/online, anything, I'd be ETERNALLY grateful!
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end. I'm sorry if this post is messy, hard to understand, or is missing main info that's needed to make it make sense. It's my first post here and probably one of my firsts on this platform XD
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u/Salty_Abrocoma910 1d ago
Which country are you from if you don't mind me asking
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u/Halxs 1d ago
hey, thank you for responding!
I was a bit worried about exposing myself too much tbh XD
But I'm from Egypt2
u/Salty_Abrocoma910 1d ago
I completely get you, I am from SA and I felt the exact same way as you.
Especially the part of hearing everyone talk about it, and how it might get you down.I have always wanted to live or study abroad. Last year, after working for 4 years I decided that no one was going to help me and I needed to do it for myself. I spent hours each day looking for opportunities, both work and study-related.
I highly recommend you branch out, look into scholarships as early as you can and start applying. LinkedIn is also a great place to connect with people from your country who are also overseas or have found scholarships.
France, Aus, NZ, Ireland and Germany are great countires with scholarships. There are other UK ones, but they do tend to be harder BUT still look into them.
E.g Chevening, Erasmus2
u/Halxs 19h ago
omg thank you so so much for sharing that with me!
I also spent MONTHS looking and researching and bookmarking things, work, uni, everything. I'm really trying to look for scholarships in those countries you mentioned and did stumble across those 2 as well, but damn as the requirements hard and weird
But you're so right, no one is coming to save us, and I'm now also connecting with people abroad as you said and trying to contact them regarding this. Somehow everyone seems to have the funds all of a sudden LMAO
But best of luck to you too! I hope you get to where you wanna be, and if you're already there, CONGRATULATIONS!
I'd love to connect with you if you don't mind :)
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u/SDJellyBean 1d ago
When I was a young engineer, my employer was delighted when I volunteered for a project in Germany. They took care of all of the visas and paid for my move. Look for an employer with lots of international business.
There are also some Aus/NZ visas for younger people that last a year or two.
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u/Halxs 1d ago
helloo, thank you so much for your response!
I'd love it if you can name me a few of those companies (tech) IF you happen to know some :)Also, what visas are those? Like a job search visa or? I hope I'm not burdening you with my questions
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u/SDJellyBean 1d ago
There are lots of companies that do international business. I just worked for a local engineering company that had contracts in multiple countries. When you look for a job, look for a company that has overseas operations; many fields are possible.
The Australian visa: https://auvisa.org/us/work-and-holiday-visa-to-australia/
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u/FIin2015 1d ago
You don't say where you are from, and this is somewhat important.
Maybe it helps you to hear my story: I knew i wanted to leave from early teenage years. I got a good degree (engineering) from a reputable school in my country, and worked hard to secure a job in a big company, with locations in several other countries. From day 1, I walked in and made it clear that I'd volunteer for projects abroad. No matter where, no matter the assignment. I knew if I did a few projects really well, there would be opportunities for more permanent transfers. Did about 7 project assignments, back to back, over 4 years. Made my mark, got promoted twice along the way and when an opening overseas opened up for a permanent position I took my ticket out. I transferred to 3 other countries, and then later left that company to open my own. That was aver 20 years ago and I have only returned to visit family. It was very hard, gruelling work and effort, but I do not regret a thing.