Live Among Strangers
Wherever you live, people have established ways of doing things, established things they do, and established attitudes. This is part of what we call our culture. If you really want to experience an entirely new side of life, REALLY get off your sofa and move to a foreign country. Go ahead, leave your comfort zone. You will have to figure out lots of things all over again (some as simple as how to buy milk), but you will learn so much in the process. I'm not talking about a 2 week vacation somewhere exotic. To make it worth the experience, you need to pull up your roots and get out of dodge for at least three months. A year is even better.
Where do you get started? That depends on your current situation. If you're a student, great. You're in luck. Take advantage of one of the well-established student exchange organizations such as AFS. Other organizations such as Rotary International also run great programs.
If you're already out of school, you also have options. If your job skills are in demand, check with the local embassy or consulate of the country you want to live in. Doctors, computer programmers and other professionals stand the best chance of getting a work permit. While traveling abroad, I came across many Americans working without a work permit. This is risky. Be sure you know what you're getting into if you go that route.
If your job isn't so in demand that they will just give you a work permit, consider going to school. A popular choice is language school. Google the web for "language school abroad" and you will find lots of offerings. If you at least graduated High School, it is not too hard to enroll in a foreign university directly (without going through any kind of exchange program). Some countries have very inexpensive or even free education.
If all else fails (or if it's really your thing), consider getting abroad by volunteering for a religious or humanitarian organization.
Get off the sofa! I mean it. Life is too short. Figure out what you really want to do with your life and just do it.
Where do you get started? That depends on your current situation. If you're a student, great. You're in luck. Take advantage of one of the well-established student exchange organizations such as AFS. Other organizations such as Rotary International also run great programs.
If you're already out of school, you also have options. If your job skills are in demand, check with the local embassy or consulate of the country you want to live in. Doctors, computer programmers and other professionals stand the best chance of getting a work permit. While traveling abroad, I came across many Americans working without a work permit. This is risky. Be sure you know what you're getting into if you go that route.
If your job isn't so in demand that they will just give you a work permit, consider going to school. A popular choice is language school. Google the web for "language school abroad" and you will find lots of offerings. If you at least graduated High School, it is not too hard to enroll in a foreign university directly (without going through any kind of exchange program). Some countries have very inexpensive or even free education.
If all else fails (or if it's really your thing), consider getting abroad by volunteering for a religious or humanitarian organization.
Get off the sofa! I mean it. Life is too short. Figure out what you really want to do with your life and just do it.
posted at 11:42 PM
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