Going to Europe...?

I lost my job a few months ago - the company's funds ran dry and everyone had to fend for themselves - and now I've just been freelancing to get by. Because of a rough financial 2007, my tax returns are going to be healthy. I was planning on using them to buy a used car - I had to sell my last car - but with gas at $4 a gallon, and no sign of promising work in the near future, I'm toying with the idea of going to Europe and, dare I exhume the tired cliche, backpacking through.

I have no obligations: no mortgage, no wife, no kids, no car note, no promising employment - nothing tying me to this expensive island in New York.

So for the folks who've done it already, I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions and, most importantly, your advice. Thanks.

 

Dollar's weak right now, Bro. Ideal to do it when reverse is true.

 

The dollar's weakness is also why I'm struggling here. When I find work in Europe, things would even themselves out.

 

I often heard and read that recruiters and staff managers in the US are more 'liberal' and open to rather uncommon vitae, meaning in the reverse: If you come over here as a backpacker looking for a job, you might encounter more than one raised eyebrow. Don't know your branch of profession, but if you are in a rather conservative business like banking or something, you might have difficulties. Not saying that it's impossible, but be prepared.

 

I've got some time this summer if you want someone to tag along!

 

As of right now, I think the backpacking part of the trip holds precedence to the working part of the trip. I've done some research, and I've found things about au pairs, and I don't want to find employment that would limit me to one place in Europe. As an au pair or some sort of grunt worker, I could work a little, travel, work a little somewhere else, travel some more, and so forth.

 

At this point, I'm open to just about anything. So joining someone I don't know on a trip to a place I've never been sounds perfectly fine to me.

 

Ah okay, the "classical" backpacker jobs shouldn't be a problem. I thought you were aiming at a 'real' job.

 

Well mate you have a place to stay if you end up in Wales

 

Who knows what'll happen when I get there. I'm aiming for the "who knows" part; meaning, whatever happens, happens.

Thanks, mate. If I make it across the pond, I plan to hit many cities in every country - including yours.

 

What is your objective ? Just to backpack for a while and come back or to settle there ?

My mom and friends are saying that the US crisis hasnt hit Europe yet but will next year. If you plan to stay there , do you know which country ?

 

Andrew...

I'm not sure right now. I'm purposely not making any plans beyond going there. I just want to see where life takes me once I get there.

 

Britain is in one of the worst financial crisis to hit us in a long time, petrol is at an all time high, equivalent to $10 a gallon, house repossesions have never been higher, crime is rife especially gun and knife crime, to tell you the truth our Goverment and police forces have lost control (IMO) Great Britain is not great any more in fact if i had my way my family and i would get out of this country as soon as possible.

 

Dunno about Europe (have visited a number of places, but not lived there) - but I wish you well in your endeavors Carbon.

About to uproot & move on, and make fresh start myself - but I'm just leaving the Chicago area for Western North Carolina.

 

Carbon----rent the movie Hostel.....the sex looks great, but the backpacking didn't end up so well...

 

I'm glad to see that you have settled your obligation to Steve.

Dale

 

and no life. go to europe and become a belt model.
ps. sorry you lossed your job.

 

Figure $75 a day in expenses for bare minimums. After airfare how long will you be able to stay.

Best of luck finding yourself.

 

EU is expensive right now.

Thailand is cheap. Sleazy, but cheap.

 

+1

 

HA!!!

Steve Barney and a few others would debate you here.

As do I.

You have quite a few "obligations" to members on this forum.

 

Watch the show on Nat. Geo. about locked up abroad. So far every person on there has been caught for trying to smuggle drugs because they let themselves get into a poor situation, where they ran out of money. Make sure you always have enough for a plane ticket home!

 

Which would be about a full 20% of what you owe Steve.

 

No point in kicking someone that's down on his luck, for whatever reason. I've done it, but at this point this is some guy who is genuinely down on his luck versus a trust funder like Dr Strangelove or whomever.

Carb, avoid the traveling bit. Buckle down and get a degree. AA or Bachelor, no matter. Spend that tax money on a bit of paper that will do more for your life than a VISA stamp. Find the cheapest school and excel and get them to pay for your education and room and board.

My 2 cents.

 

I think we're pretty much all aware of the issues here. Let's avoid a re-hash, ok? If this becomes a Carbon bash-a-thon, I'm gonna shut the thread down.

Don't want to help him? That's fine, please stay out of the thread. Lets leave the Carbon bashing to PMs this time, OK?

Dave
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