Hello from Canada

I have been reading through the TT forums for a month or so here, just registered. I am currently working as a Metallurgist at a mine in western Canada. Basically I am bored out of my tree and am looking for a change. I have been to Germany three times so far, and pretty much fell in love with Munich. I have played with the idea of moving there for some time and it seems like it would be a great thing to do now. My Opa grew up in Austria, I picked up a little German from him, and have gotten by fairly well with my limited German when I have visited. I intend to take classes and improve my German language skills, while I am in Germany.
I am having some trouble deciding how to go about this. I have an opportunity to work for a company out of Oslo, that would see me work ~5 weeks in the field for them and then have ~5 weeks off. I figured that this would be a great oportunity to see more of Europe, and spend more time in and around Munich, learning German. However, I am concerned that the inconsistency of my time in Germany could pose a problem. As a Canadian would I run into problems entering and leaving the country every 5 weeks or so? And accomidation? I would bet that its neither cheap or easy finding a place to stay for every other 5 weeks, or keeping a place full time while only being there half the time. I am sure I am missing some other possible problems, if anyone can think of any please let me know.
The other option I have been looking at is just moving to Munich full time, taking German classes, and trying to find some emplyment that would help pay the bills. Doing thin until my proficency with German is high enough to possibly get a job in my field. Again, I am probably missing some things that might cause problems with this plan, please if you can think of any let me know.

I notice that there are a lot of people working as Au Pairs and Programers, I was just wondering what other positions people have found in Munich. And what jobs might be available for someone fluent in English but learning german?
Thanks for any help, suggestions, and information!

if you registered as officially resident in Norway (because of your job) then I assume you would have no problems breezing in and out of Germany as you please, seeing as both are (I believe) in the Schengen area (ie you don't need to show your passport)

I haven't quite understood though if you would hope to travel to Munich quite a bit during your 5 weeks off or actually live in Munich (ie not live in Oslo at all)


you would presumably only have one place though, even if you weren't there half the time, so it would be no more expensive than 'living normally'

If I were to work for the company out of Oslo, I would hope to live in Munich during my down time.

ok so basically you would live in Munich as normal (but be in the field for 5 weeks at a time). I assume they (German authorities) would allow you to be resident in Germany but employed in Norway, although I don't know what hoops you would have to jump through to register

Would you be employed by the Norwegian company or be a freelancer for them? Maybe you could set up your own one man company in Germany...

You'd need to invest a million bucks... it's very tough for Canucks to get independant work permits these days... Your best bet is finding a permanent position with a company that would sponsor you.

I suggest taking the job in Oslo, and then spend your visits to Munich looking for a position. I'm sure you could find a room in a shared apt. You shouldn't have too much trouble coming and going, just watch the maximum #days over an entire year - I can't remember what that is but I think it's 6 months accumulative. You can find that out with a bit of google searching.

If this is what you want -- keep the goal in mind and keep moving toward it! Life is too short to be timid. I don't know how old you are, but if you're a young'un, say under 30, the risks are minimal.

Good luck!

I believe I would actually be employed by the Norweign company, however they have a branch in Canada, so I don't know how it would work.
Thanks guys, I will have to talk to the company in Oslo and see what my options would be for residency ect.
At 27 I guess I am a "young'un" as you say gills Thanks for the encouragement!

What do you guys do, gills and boomtown?

Wow, what a great opportunity, work 5 weeks- 5 weeks off, was offered something like that to work up in Northern Manitoba, but didn't take it.

I would check first to see if you could live here and work in Norway, contact your nearest German Consulate, they are usually very helpful (at least the one in Winnipeg is).