Picking up work in France or Holland

[Bellini]

Hi

My boyfriend and I are contemplating jacking in this country and trying our luck in France or Holland. My boyfriend has a design degree and we are tired of waiting for our lucky break to happen in the UK. We were going to go on 'holiday' for a few weeks to see what we can see but does anyone have any pointers in the right direction of how to go about finding work etc. Casual bar, hotel etc will do for the meantime. We're just tired of the endless rat race here.

Thanks in advance

[boxtops]

I'm no expert, but why do you think that the rat race will be any different in France or Holland?

[Bellini]

I don't think for one minute that the rat race doesn't exist anywhere else; I'm looking for a quality of life which is different. Thanks for your reply but I'm asking for pointers in the right direction, not general comments.

[Hymie]

Being fluent in the local language is a must if you are considering bar/hotel work (if you ran a pub in the UK, would you employ someone who only spoke French?).

This ‘lucky break’ thing that you are waiting for – have you got some sort of gift certificate or guarantee that you will get a ‘lucky break’ during your lifetime?

[Andyvon]

I don't think you'll find things any different in Europe Bellini. Have a good holiday by all means but don't get up any hopes by thinking you'll stumble across a prosperous new life with every hope for the future. I'm worried that you'll only return home disappointed.

I'm guessing you are in your late teens or early twenties. I'm 48 but things were so much easier for youngsters in the 70s and 80s. I effectively left school at 14 and the only exam I ever took was my driving test, but I was still able to build a large and successful business and pay off my mortgage when I was 29. I've now retired but I probably couldn't do the same again today as everyone is so constrained now by Health and Safety, EU laws and the general European economic mess.
Secondly, look how many millions of immigrants now flood into Western Europe from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and elsewhere. Even when they get to France they still try to get to Britain so what does that tell you! I'm afraid that you have to compete with them now Bellini - and I'm afraid you won't. That's how Britain's has changed in just 30 years.

Enjoy your holiday, but don't hold too much hope for a better life in Europe. What about staying in the UK? You have the advantage of being a native so what about starting your own business here? If you fail then at least you can always say that you tried. Perhaps your best bet would be to try to be accepted in Australia or New Zealand. Unlike Britain, they are very tough on who lives in their country and takes their jobs but if you have degrees they might just welcome you.

I do feel for you. Good luck.

[Bellini]

Thank you so much for your honest answer. I really do appreciate it x