How to move to and live in Germany

Hi,

My name is Mitchell and I am a 17 year old Australian who wants to live in Germany one day.

I was just wondering on your opinions of what I should do to try and get to a situation where I can live in Germany comfortably.

I have recently finished secondary school and I have rich relatives in Germany who I can mooch a residence off of.

Basically what my plan was, was to work here in the WA mines for a couple of years earning a nest egg of sorts so that I'd have a decent financial base, then train at one of the Private Colleges in Perth who train people who want to become English teachers in Germany. The problem is, this is all going to take forever to happen, most likely in excess of 4 years. I was just wondering what everyone else did to end up in Germany, living there, and what their opinions are on faster ways of getting myself there.

The truth is... I don't really want to work in the mines, I've heard its horrid 40 degrees centigrade at the mines, driving trucks or crushing rocks for 12 hours a day 6 days a week. Not my idea of a life is all... Its just all that money on offer...

All ideas and feedback are welcome!

I'd imagine Mitchell to be a boy's name, but if you're really serious and will do anything to go now, you could be a nanny/au pair. Men do this occasionally and there is a demand for male child care providers. It may not be exactly what you want at the moment, but it will certainly get you to Germany and will help you to meet people and make connections until you find something better.

Teaching English is a poorly paid and crowded space here in Germany, with permanent, full-time employment with a single employer the rare exception. I wouldn't advise someone to invest time and money in qualifications that simply allow you to teach English, especially if you wouldn't come out of it with a university degree that could be recognized here in Germany. Talk to your relatives in Germany, who obviously know you best, and get some advice from them. The decisions you make in the next few years will have lifelong ramifications, so it is important to choose wisely. Unemployment rates are very high in Germany for foreigners, especially those without university degrees.

I would say go to uni and get a qualification that you actually want then come over and try your luck finding a job here. It is important to get some sort of degree though as germans love their paperwork.

Learn German first ...

Mitchell, I realise that 4 years seems like forever to a teenager , but you are only 17! Go to uni, get a degree and have a look for an Australian company over here to work for, or maybe look in to doing an exchange program & go to uni here.

I do know some basic German, Thats half of why i want to live in Germany, the language attracts me like nothing before.

Thanks for your input guys.

You could consider taking language classes in Germany, and to start a university program in Germany afterwards. Also likely to "take forever", but you would already be in Germany, if that's what you want. If money and motivation are there, there's nothing to stop you...

Learn the language, become proficient in SAP.

You can get yourself a 1 year working holiday visa once you turn 18. It's a good way to come over and give yourself a bit of time to find a job and get sponsored properly.

One other thing is that I have a Swedish passport as well as an Australian one, which I've heard counts towards being able to travel Europe easier.

Residency permit and work permit are no problem then.

Meaning: You don´t need either (Sweden is a full EU member) ... just come here and feel free to do what you like

Don't forget to bring a towel!

What is that meant to mean?

Doesn't anyone here watch South Park?

There is a gross towel shortage in Germany, more so in the south. Its not funny, I had to dry myself with a piece of bread this morning.

Ahahaha

You are lucky you have a Swedish Passport. Your next thing should probably be where in Germany do you want to move regardless of where your wealthy relatives live.

You do realise that the minute you arrive here in Germany, Rammstein will go tour Australia.

Hi Mitchell,

The more and higher academic degrees and certified skills you have, the more luck you'll have finding work in Germany. You didn't mention if you wanted to stay long-term, or if you just wanted to check it out for a fun year or two.

If the latter, then teaching English isn't a bad idea, but it may be tough because the largest pool of jobs here is in teaching "Business English", and at 17, no matter how good a teacher you are, you very likely won't be perceived as having the gravitas or experience to teach 30-45 y.o. people "Business English". At 17, expect most offers to be for teaching English to kids.

Either way, unskilled labor working in mines isn't a good idea if Germany is your goal. Germans appreciate certified skills and a course of training that leads toward something in particular. One saleable skill you have already is that you are a native speaker of English (okay, Australian, but close enough). From there, the more other certified skills you can add (software programming, hairdressing, journeyman bricklayer, masters degree in education, anything as long as it's certified), the better your chances of finding a job.

I admire your enthusiasm and sense of adventure. Good luck.