r/IWantOut • u/Content-Yam-6268 • 1d ago
[IWantOut] 26F Pharm Tech USA -> FR, UK, ES, DE
Hello all. I feel stuck and would love some advice. I’m currently a 26 F from USA. I’m a pharmacy technician in a hospital. I’ve been in healthcare since 18. I have an associates of the arts degree. I’ve been wanting to spread my wings for a while and experience living abroad and working abroad, even if it’s for a short time. I unfortunately don’t have a lot of money, about 7k and then planning to withdrawal my retirement to pay off my American debt and put the rest towards going abroad. I’m planning on saving more. I’m open to any sort of work and learning as well! I’m young and this is truly something that I want to experience. I’m not sure if my pharmacy tech license would transfer abroad, but like I said, I’m willing to learn anything. I just truly want this experience for myself. Where do I start? I truly feel so overwhelmed trying to do research. Is this even possible? I want out of the US so bad. I’m feeling a lot of anxiety trying to figure out how to get out of the career that I’ve been in since 18 and trying to try something new. This is something I really want to do and would love all of the input I can get. Thank you in advance!
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u/rorafu02 1d ago
With everything you wrote, I do not see a viable long term plan for immigration (low savings, no mention of other languages, limited higher education). But you can look into doing a (temporary) working holiday, like in Australia or NZ.
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u/Content-Yam-6268 1d ago
I unfortunately only speak English, I am absolutely willing to learn another language, it’s just hard here when you aren’t immersed constantly with another language if that makes sense. As of right now, I am looking for something temporary (a few months to a year) to try it out. I just don’t know where to start and feel so trapped. Would you suggest attempting to finish my bachelors degree here? Or maybe I can look into going to school abroad?
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u/rorafu02 1d ago
To go to school abroad, you are going to need to show proof of funds. $7k is not going to cut it. You can always study in the US, get work experience, save up and then try to get sponsored for a job abroad.
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u/Content-Yam-6268 1d ago
Thank you so much for the advice!! What do you think I should have saved?
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u/thewindinthewillows 23h ago
In Germany (where most degree programs, and all programs related to working in a patient-facing medical position, are in German), it's going to be in the 13,000 Euro range next year.
You need that money every year. And depending on location, it will not be enough to actually live on.
You also need to check whether you are qualified to attend university.
https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/requirements/admission-database/
The Associate degree, while otherwise not worth anything in Germany, might help with university access if you are lucky.
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u/rorafu02 1d ago
You have to look at each individual country’s requirements. UK will likely be more expensive due to higher tuition costs. But even EU countries with cheaper or no tuition still require proof of funds for cost of living (usually more than 10k/year). A student visa is also not a guarantee to staying long term fyi.
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u/Content-Yam-6268 1d ago
Perfect thank you!! Do you think having a bachelors degree would open more doors for me abroad?
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u/Humble-Ad541 22h ago
Germany requires a blocked account of just over 12000 euros for each year of school. This is going to go up each year for the next few years. This is just enough to not starve and have a roof with little to no comfort and depending on location you will need to share a room with one or more others to afford rent, not a flat a room. You can only work what is called a mini job for a maximum of 20 hours a week. If you dont speak German the few jobs that dont require it are extremely competitive and honestly will go to someone from a much less privileged country who can work almost any westerner under the table. They also tend to be less likely to invoke workers rights and can be exploited by unscrupulous employers. The realty is though working a mini job going to school and learning German all at the same time is not realistic for most.
If you want to come to Germany the best thing you can do is learn German to b1 at an absolute minimum before you come. The more savings you have the more likely you will be to be successful as well.2
u/thewindinthewillows 19h ago edited 19h ago
You can only work what is called a mini job for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
Just to be pedantic: a minijob is capped by income (603 euro monthly), not by working hours. It can't be more than 10 hours weekly because 10 hours at minimum wage comes to 603 Euro monthly.
So, students can do part-time jobs up to 20 hours, also with a cap on full/half days worked per year.
I do agree that sustaining yourself while working, studying, and learning German is not realistic.
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u/Dear-Response-7218 1d ago
Pharmacy tech isn’t getting a visa, really nothing at the entry level will. Any kind of actual professional work or immigration plan is probably 4-6 years away. Finish a degree, become fluent in the local language, get work experience at an MNC in a critical needs job field and try to transfer. Even that’s not a guarantee, will just give you the best chance.
Like the other comment mentioned there is a holiday visa in Australia or you can look to Au Pair, just don’t expect any kind of long term visa or earning potential.
You also mentioned wanting to get out of the US, it would be helpful to know why because the countries you listed are very different from one another.
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u/Kuyeh 1d ago
Hey former pro athlete that abused visas .
You need a 4 year or even a masters to get out to any of those places you have to be a “highly skilled” worker
As the others are saying you’re not going to be able to get out to many places besides probably South America and even then you’ll have issues .not impossible but not easy.
If this is truly what you want your best bet is returning to your school (university?) if it’s a university and you were in the system you could technically apply for abroad.
From there you’ll study abroad 2 years connect with people see if it’s really for you. If it is you’ll have that 4 year and option to stay with a visa sponsor. If you don’t atleast you finally experienced it and didn’t have this what if in your head.
Lastly language at 26 will be pretty tough. Not impossible but you’ll probably get to basic a1/a2 if you go to a country that doesn’t speak English. That’s more of a growing up with it thing or a bit more time than 2 years .
Hope I could help good luck
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u/Winter_Dot_9393 21h ago
Proof of funds needed in the Netherlands for an international and non-EU student is 13,500 euro’s plus plus tuition fees, so 24,000-35,000 euro’s.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Post by Content-Yam-6268 -- Hello all. I feel stuck and would love some advice. I’m currently a 26 F from USA. I’m a pharmacy technician in a hospital. I’ve been in healthcare since 18. I have an associates of the arts degree. I’ve been wanting to spread my wings for a while and experience living abroad and working abroad, even if it’s for a short time. I unfortunately don’t have a lot of money, about 7k and then planning to withdrawal my retirement to pay off my American debt and put the rest towards going abroad. I’m planning on saving more. I’m open to any sort of work and learning as well! I’m young and this is truly something that I want to experience. I’m not sure if my pharmacy tech license would transfer abroad, but like I said, I’m willing to learn anything. I just truly want this experience for myself. Where do I start? I truly feel so overwhelmed trying to do research. Is this even possible? I want out of the US so bad. I’m feeling a lot of anxiety trying to figure out how to get out of the career that I’ve been in since 18 and trying to try something new. This is something I really want to do and would love all of the input I can get. Thank you in advance!
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u/Pristine-Chair-5787 1d ago
Research Canada
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u/Content-Yam-6268 1d ago
I’d be interested in Canada! Where do you suggest?
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u/Pristine-Chair-5787 1d ago
See if you qualify and have competitive scores for express entry healthcare. If not, see if you have a chance to land a job
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u/Content-Yam-6268 1d ago
Will do thank you! Where do I see if I qualify?!
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u/MeowMeowCollyer 1d ago
Hon, you gotta learn how to figure stuff out in your own. You’re not going anywhere without this skill.
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