Moving abroad, and everything that it brings
Discussion
Just had a 2nd phone interview for a company Belgium and they are planning to invite me over for a formal meeting with them at the start of July.
I've always wanted to work abroad, but, in a country where English is the first language. I'm not that worried about the professional language barrier, as they all speak fantastic English. However, the concern is my lady, who I'd like to come with me, but her career is in social work and she doesn't speak any French. So the language could prove a huge barrier.
I'd like to know the thoughts of the PH collective if anybody has upped sticks and moved abroad. How they found it, the issues they faced, what they done about loved ones etc etc
Oh, and for info the city is Liège in Belgium.
I've always wanted to work abroad, but, in a country where English is the first language. I'm not that worried about the professional language barrier, as they all speak fantastic English. However, the concern is my lady, who I'd like to come with me, but her career is in social work and she doesn't speak any French. So the language could prove a huge barrier.
I'd like to know the thoughts of the PH collective if anybody has upped sticks and moved abroad. How they found it, the issues they faced, what they done about loved ones etc etc
Oh, and for info the city is Liège in Belgium.
I moved here to France in 2002 with basic French. My job being what it is I had no choice but to speak it all day which is very nackering for the first 6 months. Then you stop translating from English to French in your head and speak it directly which is much less tireing. She should get some grammar/vocabulary books and do some evening classes and she'll be fine. Although she shouldn't go to the place I went to in Bristol a few times where the teacher spoke French with a Bristolian accent 
.
.My experience is that the accompanying partners are the weak link in the situation. They lose their career, find them selves isolated due to language barrier, are separated from family/friends etc. This leads to frustration,home-sickness, possibly depression.
It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
BOR said:
My experience is that the accompanying partners are the weak link in the situation. They lose their career, find them selves isolated due to language barrier, are separated from family/friends etc. This leads to frustration,home-sickness, possibly depression.
It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
I'm not quite so negative, but having lived with my parents abroad, I do agree that ensuring your partner has a fulfilling life, whether through work, socially etc is a very important consideration. My parents were lucky in that when my dad was moved abroad, my mum was working in a school as a classroom assistant, and after the first few months of settling in, was able to find a similar job in a british school. Without that, I don't think the move would have been so successful (they're still there 10 years later).It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
Remember though, that there are communities of British people living abroad, and so there is demand for some things - such as schooling, childcare, and even counselling, and advice in English. There are usually groups of wives who meet up - on the one hand this can be nice (If you like that kind of thing), or equally terrible if they turn out to be the kind of people you wouldn't socialise with if you were still in the UK.
BOR said:
My experience is that the accompanying partners are the weak link in the situation. They lose their career, find them selves isolated due to language barrier, are separated from family/friends etc. This leads to frustration,home-sickness, possibly depression.
It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
This is the biggest issue I think, I'm sure she'd never stop me going, or coming with me, but how much would it be because she didn't want to stop me going and not take into account her own views.It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
It's just such a shame it's not an English speaking country...
Bec said:
BOR said:
My experience is that the accompanying partners are the weak link in the situation. They lose their career, find them selves isolated due to language barrier, are separated from family/friends etc. This leads to frustration,home-sickness, possibly depression.
It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
I'm not quite so negative, but having lived with my parents abroad, I do agree that ensuring your partner has a fulfilling life, whether through work, socially etc is a very important consideration. My parents were lucky in that when my dad was moved abroad, my mum was working in a school as a classroom assistant, and after the first few months of settling in, was able to find a similar job in a british school. Without that, I don't think the move would have been so successful (they're still there 10 years later).It can work for a honeymoon period of upto 2 years, after that it will become difficult.
If you do emmigrate, then your first priority, even before work, should be to ensure your partner is dealing with it ok.
The odds are against you, I'm afraid.
Remember though, that there are communities of British people living abroad, and so there is demand for some things - such as schooling, childcare, and even counselling, and advice in English. There are usually groups of wives who meet up - on the one hand this can be nice (If you like that kind of thing), or equally terrible if they turn out to be the kind of people you wouldn't socialise with if you were still in the UK.
I've been in Belgium for 7 years, I quite like it.
One thing to note is that income tax is high - like 50-60% for the top band. I guess it won't affect you, as you will negotiate your net salary before you take the job... but it might affect your other half, who would be treated as a local employee.
Car tax is also high and you never see anything interesting on the roads!
Liege is a bit different to Brussels. I don't think people will speak English in shops etc like they do in Brussels. Not sure if you were implying living in Brussels and commuting? Its a fair distance.
Note that the french they speak in Liege is not the same as the French spoken in France... if you learn French in Liege, the chances are that "real" french people won't understand a word you say...
One thing to note is that income tax is high - like 50-60% for the top band. I guess it won't affect you, as you will negotiate your net salary before you take the job... but it might affect your other half, who would be treated as a local employee.
Car tax is also high and you never see anything interesting on the roads!
Liege is a bit different to Brussels. I don't think people will speak English in shops etc like they do in Brussels. Not sure if you were implying living in Brussels and commuting? Its a fair distance.
Note that the french they speak in Liege is not the same as the French spoken in France... if you learn French in Liege, the chances are that "real" french people won't understand a word you say...
Not planning to live and stay in Brussels and commute, that would be my idea of hell! Thanks for the pointers though EuroBoy, would you mind if I dropped you line once I know a little more, say after the formal interview? I'm not sure what the process is from here though...
I'm ironically working abroad at the moment and the lady is coming out to see me, so we can discuss plans and see what she thinks.
About the income tax, what are the bands over there? I'm not sure how the payment would work as it's a Belgian company I would be working for.
I'm ironically working abroad at the moment and the lady is coming out to see me, so we can discuss plans and see what she thinks.
About the income tax, what are the bands over there? I'm not sure how the payment would work as it's a Belgian company I would be working for.
Edited by theboyfold on Friday 20th June 00:51
euroboy said:
TBF,
Yes thats no problem, feel free to send me a mail if you get that far and ill give you my number.
Ive no idea of the Belgian tax bands unfortunately, although I know they are high and running a car costs a bloody fortune!
Thanks mate, should hear about the interview date soon, so I'll drop you a line then.Yes thats no problem, feel free to send me a mail if you get that far and ill give you my number.
Ive no idea of the Belgian tax bands unfortunately, although I know they are high and running a car costs a bloody fortune!
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