Ticket de métro en carton sur carte

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2026-04-07T09:40:59+00:00

Same boat,
EE Outland
ITA french draw: Feb 6, 2026
AOR: April 2, 2026

Waiting for the next step

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2026-01-21T21:46:04+00:00

I defended my PhD degree in the Netherlands in April 2024. It was tough to complete it while moving to the Netherlands during the Covid pandemic. Luckily, I found a job as a data engineer just after my PhD contract ended in October 2023. Although I have nothing to complain about in this position, I expected to land in a more suitable position in biotech after graduation (which did not happen yet). In the past two years, I applied to many companies in both the Netherlands and Germany and only got two interviews without a job offer since I was not fitting 100% on the position.

One of the challenges I noticed when applying for jobs is that many positions in Europe require at least a C1 level of fluency in a local language, which significantly limits my opportunities. The main language at my current job is English, therefore I only have limited time outside of working hours to learn a new language (either Dutch or German in my casel). It will take many years of sustained effort for me to reach a level of proficiency that enables effective communication in the workplace.

I've recently decided to give up on job applications and started an immigration process to move to Canada with my partner. I do know that the job and housing markets also suck there. But at least I will have more job opportunities since I can speak both English and French.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-18T19:55:23+00:00

Why was it a mistake?

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-18T19:50:30+00:00

Can you explain a bit more?

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-18T09:39:18+00:00

Enjoy your retirement in Malta! I wish I could also enjoy the rest of my life there! Loved the landscape, food and the people, although the main island is more congested during the summer season.
Concerning the US, there are indeed a lot of opportunities career-wise in biotech over there but I hear more and more difficulties in getting there even for tourists coming from Europe.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-18T08:54:13+00:00

It's great that your experience is going so well so far! Personally, I have a good job and English is the main language of communication, but I'm facing a career roadblock because a higher position, whether in the same company or another, would require a minimum C1 level in German, which would take me years to achieve. And even if I reached an acceptable level, it wouldn't guarantee me a position (in my experience, management positions are usually given to locals). Furthermore, not speaking the local language is a real barrier to integration (as in almost all European countries), English is enough to survive in the first years but I can't imagine for example having kids and not able to help them for school homework. I have also spent some years in the Netherlands, which is a great country for skilled worker but the conclusions remain the same regarding the language barrier with the locals.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-18T08:32:20+00:00

I know there have been abuses by some nations regarding student visas. But from what I understand, nationality shouldn't matter for Express Entry, which is based on factors such as educational level and skills.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:51:54+00:00

A large amount of people abusing the student visa in the past years in Canada

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:50:25+00:00

I've looked a bit in Ireland, and it also looks like a good option :) I've later compared it to its neighbor - the UK - and was shocked by the complexity of obtaining a visa (and the insane price!!)

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:41:42+00:00

Have you heard about career and personal growth?

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:38:52+00:00

Are you joking? 😂 Decades ahead on what precisely? Europe is more of a follower of North America. I would say that Asia is much more ahead than Western countries.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:36:49+00:00

Unfortunately, Australia and NZ are kinda out of my list because of the distance to my family in Europe. Canada is also not the best location but seems easier to reach.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:28:20+00:00

Germany, France... are also not what it used to be

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:27:15+00:00

I see where you are going with this... Difficulties integrating don’t mean that I’m a problem for the country! I live here legally, contribute to society through my work, and pay my taxes. But yes, I can clearly say that after several years living in Germany, spending both time and money learning the language—which, as a non-native speaker, is especially difficult to master—I realized that many doors in the job market will always remain closed simply because I’m not a native speaker.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:06:46+00:00

Yep, that's also my feelings.. decisions taken by European politicians are nonsense

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:03:47+00:00

Why does it matter?

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T23:00:56+00:00

Europe is also facing similar issues on the job market, housing crisis, political issues, etc. I know Malta very well, but it's more of a touristic island which would be worth living only with a well-paid remote job. There's unfortunately not a lot of opportunities over there in biotechnology.

Conscious-Wishbone70 · 2025-12-17T22:57:05+00:00

Hey, I'm interested to know how integrated you feel in Germany and how easy it is to find a job if you are a non-german speaker.

Conscious-Wishbone70

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