Where in the world should I go?
I have an opportunity to live and work outside of the US for a year or 6 months or so. I just need to decide where to go. I have a wife and two young kids, and my wife is being pretty conservative about where she wants to go: Europe, maybe France or UK or somewhere like that. That's totally cool with me of course 
but on the other hand, some friends have told me that it would be both cheaper and more adventurous to go somewhere else. Maybe South America, or Eastern Europe, or China. I don't know, there are so many options that it's hard to decide.
Also, I have to compete with others to get the approval to do this, and I get the feeling that Western Europe is the most popular place to apply. So applying somewhere else might make it easier to get this grant. Apparently you can go to Africa without any competition, and it pays pretty well. But I'd definitely have to do some, ahem, convincing to go somewhere like that.
Any thoughts?
but on the other hand, some friends have told me that it would be both cheaper and more adventurous to go somewhere else. Maybe South America, or Eastern Europe, or China. I don't know, there are so many options that it's hard to decide.Also, I have to compete with others to get the approval to do this, and I get the feeling that Western Europe is the most popular place to apply. So applying somewhere else might make it easier to get this grant. Apparently you can go to Africa without any competition, and it pays pretty well. But I'd definitely have to do some, ahem, convincing to go somewhere like that.
Any thoughts?
Comments
I spent two years in SE Asia with my wife and 4 small kids ... we had a blast... lots of touristy things to do and see in our spare time. Mostly very safe/friendly.
We plan to go back when the kids are gone
--B
What about Prague or Budabest? I've had friends who lived in both cities and loooooooved it.
Originally posted by midwinter
Sabbatical or Fulbright?
What about Prague or Budabest? I've had friends who lived in both cities and loooooooved it.
I'm going to apply for both.
You know I've thought about Eastern Europe. It looks like there are some great opportunities there, and it's not as popular as Western Europe. I imagine Prague would be an incredible place to see.
Originally posted by BRussell
I'm going to apply for both.
You know I've thought about Eastern Europe. It looks like there are some great opportunities there, and it's not as popular as Western Europe. I imagine Prague would be an incredible place to see.
The people I know who've done Fulbrights say that the English-speaking European countries (or even ones where you can be guaranteed that people will speak English, like France or Germany) are difficult to land because, well, everyone wants to go. I had a friend in grad school who had done a couple of Fulbrights in Prague.
I am so ready for a sabbatical it isn't even funny. I'm going to try and time one for when (if?) I get tenure.
I swear you will love it -- highly literate population and just beautiful.
Originally posted by midwinter
I am so ready for a sabbatical it isn't even funny. I'm going to try and time one for when (if?) I get tenure.
Didn't you go to London to study prostitutes or something? Even the most cold-hearted committee couldn't deny THAT sabbatical proposal.
Originally posted by dmz
Just make sure you pay attention to any tax considerations, I guess the U.S. is pretty territorial about that. If you're going to get hit with local taxes as well as U.S. taxes -- even any kind of local [VAT] consumption taxes, that could eat into any marginal utility. (But then again they may compensate you for that.)
Slovakia has a nice, low flat tax.
Originally posted by BRussell
Didn't you go to London to study prostitutes or something? Even the most cold-hearted committee couldn't deny THAT sabbatical proposal.
That was just a grant for summer travel. I want the whole thing. A year to read and write and travel. *drool*
torino looks really nice, i keep seeing shots from the olympics.
man i need snow in my life. i'm tired of florida.
brussel what exactly do you do that offers you such great adventure?
Language is not always as big of a problem as people make it to be; if you desire to communicate and be accepted by the local people you will succeed. Indeed, some of my best expreriences in travelling to nine countries have been in those areas where I did not speak the language and had to strive to understand and be understood. With a little preparation before you go, you can learn a bit of the language, enough to get by; the kids will likely pick it up pretty quickly once you arrive.
Japan is a great place with lots to see, very good infrastructure and it is one of the safest places on earth. It also has great educational opportunities for adults and kids and tons of culture. Then there is the food: incredible varites of things you have never seen but are absolutely mouth-watering. If you are connected to educated circles, their English (despite its reputation) can be better than that of many Americans - (I am American and an English teacher so I can say that and get away with it). The average Japanese, however, struggles with English, it is true, but that is the fault of the education system's structure. The people are very nice and the sense of service is second to none.
Exotic yet modern. Far away yet convenient. Visit Japan. (the Japan travel bureau just deposited lots of cash into my bank account)
Originally posted by Elixir
brazil is wonderful. if you have money you would live like a king.
But not the big cities - too dangerous to live in unless you can afford helicopter travel.
Originally posted by Elixir
brussel what exactly do you do that offers you such great adventure?
I work at a university and they give you the option of taking a sabbatical every 6 years or so once you get tenure. They pay your salary, or a portion of it, and you can go off and do research. You just have to show that you're not taking a vacation and you're doing something productive. But yeah it's a great deal.
Originally posted by BRussell
I have an opportunity to live and work outside of the US for a year or 6 months or so. I just need to decide where to go. I have a wife and two young kids, and my wife is being pretty conservative about where she wants to go: Europe, maybe France or UK or somewhere like that. That's totally cool with me of course
Also, I have to compete with others to get the approval to do this, and I get the feeling that Western Europe is the most popular place to apply. So applying somewhere else might make it easier to get this grant. Apparently you can go to Africa without any competition, and it pays pretty well. But I'd definitely have to do some, ahem, convincing to go somewhere like that.
Any thoughts?
Japan.
Like a different planet, and totally great, great people.
Where ever you wind up, enjoy!
V/R,
Aries 1B