Hey guys, I currently am on the verge of finishing my masters in chemistry in Germany. I am originally from India and don’t want to go back. Although Germany is a seemingly great country to live, unfortunately, for me, it never suited me. I have never been so mentally depressed and unmotivated ever in my life (despite previously having a hard life). I think it’s the loneliness and how you’re just never accepted. I cannot think of living here long term. I have nothing against Germany so I would like to not have comments ‘defending’ my stance of living in Germany. I have made up my mind and I just cannot live such a life. I want to ask which country would be great for me. I have a background in chemistry so would be great to have a country that has opportunities for that. That’s the most important. Preferably an English speaking country. Safe for women. Good work life balance. Acceptance of expats(of course I’m not delusional but at least to an extent).
If you dislike Germany don’t move to anywhere in Scandinavia, it’s even worse and I don’t know why anyone reading your post would suggest it frankly. I’m in Norway atm and it’s miserable for establishing a meaningful social life or feeling integrated.
Otherwise, Malta and Ireland are English speaking and good if you want to work in biotech or something, housing in Ireland is insanely expensive though and a lot of young people leaving because of that. otherwise NZ is a good work life balance culture but faaar away.
Canada and the US are crazy expensive now and jobs getting more limited, and work culture is different from EU or NZ so probably not what you’re looking for.
What about The Netherlands? Everyone speaks English and for pointers on socials just go to a local games store which often organize board game nights. It ain’t bad!
Canada is very affordable… Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver do not make up Canada. I hate how this is the norm.
And before you say “tHatS wHerE aLL thE JoBs ArE!”. That is BS.
Maybe I’m just asking for downvotes since you’re getting downvoted but it’s the same in the US. There are still plenty of places with affordable cost of living. It’s worse than it was a few years ago but it’s still not that bad in say, Detroit, where I grew up and it’s a great place to live and has plenty of jobs in chemistry.
Ehhhhh this is a bad take. What do you think OP is going to do with a masters degree in chemistry in Grand Prairie, Alberta?
Any city with any sort of reputable job market is utterly f*cked in terms of COL. The only exception to this is Calgary.
Places outside of the major cities are generally colder and get more snow as well…
Oh please. Seriously? Geography is the driver of weather. Yes, cities are “warmer” then outlying areas but this is such a stupid take.
I would say Scandinavia is far better than Germany on multiple parameters. You get a way way better work life balance in Scandinavia compared to Germany, Scandinavians are very acceptive of other cultures compared to Germans. Both Norway and Denmark are super safe for women. Can it be rough to make friends in Scandinavia yes. But if you put an effort into it you will eventually succeed.
Malta is a no right now especially for someone from India. she will be discriminated against
That’s sad to hear, I’d been given the impression it was quite open because of its history and also their creation of remote worker visas etc to try and attract more foreign workers
Its because most asians in Malta are working the lower tier jobs. A lot of Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese uber drivers, food delivery drivers and cleaners. Very hard working but have the usual migrant stigma. They stick to themselves and don’t really spend much. Their men also don’t have a good feminist reputation. And Malta is already dangerous driving territory but these food delivery drivers are next level.
It’s actually surprising when you speak to one and you find out they are a doctor or software developer. They are a smaller percentage. But they are very nice and polite people.
Are you sure?? Oftentimes the discrimination is against uneducated working class immigrants and not people with graduate degrees in STEM.
What I found is that the expats in Scandinavia, especially Sweden are very open to making friends with other expats. It’s the only place in Europe where other foreigners have approached me or reached out to me for friendship because I guess people feel so lonely or socially isolated. Never happens to me in other European countries where people actively wanted to try to be my friend.
Also in Norway after living in Germany and I totally agree here. While work-life balance may be better here in some fields, social integration and avoiding loneliness can be even harder here.
I’m always glad to hear other people’s experiences match my own because living here has made me feel not just unwelcome or undesirable but like a social misfit in quite a profound way, and that’s never been the case in any of the other ten countries I’ve lived, worked or studied in.
Had some health issues this year and it’s been really eye opening dealing with the state run services as a foreigner too, who wants to pay so much tax and still be made to feel like a second class citizen?
Getting to the stage I just want to pack my car up and drive until it’s sunny and warm again 🌅
NZ has the worst housing crisis.
Not sure why you say US and Canada is expensive and limited with jobs. It’s probably the most affordable, other than SolCal, GTA, and New York. And the most liquid job market, probably on earth.
The problem is that a masters degree is not worth much anymore. Sorry OP. But at least you got it from Germany tuition free, I guess.
I agreeeeee great post:)