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Hi, so to give a little background story. I am 17 years old and im from Canada. This past year I came to Europe to visit some family and friends as well as finish high school while im at it. During this time I had the distinct pleasure of visiting some family in Austria. I fell in love with the culture, atmosphere, history at first sight and ive been thinking about it ever since.
After much thinking and debating with myself, I decided I wanted to move there. My parents are completely behind me but im starting to have my doubts.
Although the country is beautiful and amazing, I am starting to have my concerns about what my financial situation might be like there. My parents make a decent living in Canada, but I want to be able to support myself and carve my own path.
First off id like to state that im not moving to Austria for money or work, I have plenty of that back home. I am moving for Austria, but while I am there I would like to enjoy the same luxuries and comforts I had back home. Ive did some research online and from what I can tell the wages are dangerously low. Workers in skilled professions such as computer programming and carpentry can make as little as 2,000 euros per month. While unskilled work makes even less falling bellow 1000 euros.
Im wondering if anyone can confirm this for me preferable with credible sources? If this is true, why is it so? Are things generally cheaper in Austria then the rest of the world? Do jobs provide more bonuses or vacations then in other first world countries? If not what can I do to live comfrotably and make more then 50,000 euros annually?Are certain professions better paid in Austria?
Also what kind of work can i do before I learn German?
Also what are some essential preparations I must make before the move?
Some further info:
I plan on living in Vienna im not sure where in Vienna as I am not that familiar with the town. I do not know German but I want to learn it as soon as I can. I do plan and staying a limited time, but if Austria is as good as it looks, I would be interested in becoming a permanent resident of the country. Although I am 17 I will turn 18 in September. Till then I could stay with my uncles family or have one of my parents accompany me. I would classify my families current condition as working class/middle class. I am a high school graduate and do plan on going on to university in a years time, but id like to have a gap year in which i experience working life and take a break from school.
Also what kind of work can i do before I learn German?
Also what are some essential preparations I must make before the move?
You'll need a work permit if you want to move to Austria. The thing is, I don't think you'll get one without a basic knowledge of German and a university degree.
Can't really think of a job that's suitable for your educational background either By law an Austrian employer must prove that you are not doing a job that takes the job away from an Austrian. Which means that the person employing you must be very motivated to engage the authorities and make the case.
You'll need a work permit if you want to move to Austria. The thing is, I don't think you'll get one without a basic knowledge of German and a university degree.
Can't really think of a job that's suitable for your educational background either By law an Austrian employer must prove that you are not doing a job that takes the job away from an Austrian. Which means that the person employing you must be very motivated to engage the authorities and make the case.
First off id like to thank you for all the information youve provided, its very helpfull
Secondly, im just going on a limb here. But wouldnt jobs in the tourism field mostly require fluent english speakers and xpats from english speaking countries?
As far as I know Austria's economy revolves around tourism and the majority of tourists I believe come from English speaking countries. Obviously tourists are not gonna know German and is gonna need assistance from someone who speaks the same language as them as good as them. Tour guides, concierge's.etc would probably be best done by non Austrians. I speak English fluently, am friendly, good with people.etc
Wouldnt that give employers reason enough to prove that I deserve such a job? Feel free to correct me if im wrong.
First off id like to thank you for all the information youve provided, its very helpfull
Secondly, im just going on a limb here. But wouldnt jobs in the tourism field mostly require fluent english speakers and xpats from english speaking countries?
As far as I know Austria's economy revolves around tourism and the majority of tourists I believe come from English speaking countries. Obviously tourists are not gonna know German and is gonna need assistance from someone who speaks the same language as them as good as them. Tour guides, concierge's.etc would probably be best done by non Austrians. I speak English fluently, am friendly, good with people.etc
Wouldnt that give employers reason enough to prove that I deserve such a job? Feel free to correct me if im wrong.
Well, most of the Austrians in the tourism industry speak some decent English plus a third foreign language (Russian, Czech, French, ...). I guess you have some chances to land an unpaid internship at one of the big international hotel companies (Bristol, ...) in Vienna, but I think that will require some sort of educational background in hospitality management or lots of work experience at well known hotels.
If you really plan to work in tourism, I can really recommend those two programs that are taught by the private university of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (entirely in English):
Well, most of the Austrians in the tourism industry speak some decent English plus a third foreign language (Russian, Czech, French, ...). I guess you have some chances to land an unpaid internship at one of the big international hotel companies (Bristol, ...) in Vienna, but I think that will require some sort of educational background in hospitality management or lots of work experience at well known hotels.
If you really plan to work in tourism, I can really recommend those two programs that are taught by the private university of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (entirely in English):
They'll definitely improve your chances to get a decent job. Plus you'll have three years to take some German classes.
Well if im going to go the student visa route, im gonna need to learn German. Could you recommend any good universities or places that offer german courses?
Would this make me eligible for a student visa? If not what are the requirements?
The Volkhochschule- the VHS, University of Vienna, IKI; Alpha. The first is like a community college and is the cheapest.Most distrcts have their own branches but Polycollege in the 5th district is quite good but they only have morning or afternoon classes. IKI and Alpha are in the downtown 1st district, the former is kind of opposite the Opera House and is highly-recommended.
Each VHS has slightly different structures but are either held from 9-12 am or 6-9 pm, 4 times a week over two months for the Euro 378, 90-hour courses or Euro 189 ,45 hours evenings over about 6 -8 weeks.There are usually three levels (A1,A1+ and A2) for beginners, two or three for intermediate (B1,B2) and two for advanced (C1, C2). The private IKI and Alpha have 60-hour classes DAILY(!) which lasts four weeks per level. You need at least a B2 for entry to university but sometimes, a C1 .Startseite - Die Wiener Volkshochschulen ;Learn German Vienna - Deutsch lernen Wien - Deutschkurs Wienwww.ikivienna.at
It is better not to rush learning German and the workload can get a little heavy. Good thing about the language is the pronunciation is fairly easy but THAT IS THE ONLY THING EASY ABOUT IT! *weeps hysterically*
Bear in mind that Austrians, like Germans, just love degrees and diplomas and will not always accept those from the US !
Well if im going to go the student visa route, im gonna need to learn German. Could you recommend any good universities or places that offer german courses?
Would this make me eligible for a student visa? If not what are the requirements?
You don't have to know German for a student visa. You just have to prove language skills, if you plan to enroll in a German only program.
Here is a list of all the required documents: Student Visa. You can always call the Austrian embassy in Ottawa for more infos. They are usually happy to help students who want to study in Austria.
I know that my university offers some German as a second language courses. They are relatively cheap compared to classes offered by other companies: German courses of the University of Vienna
The BA program at Modul university would include German classes. Up to four courses are included in the tuition.
Bear in mind that Austrians, like Germans, just love degrees and diplomas and will not always accept those from the US !
While it's true that Austrians love fancy academic titles (Magister, Doktor, Professor, ...), only 19.3% actually get one. That rate is quite low when compared to other European OECD members.
There is an excellent health care insurance included, quite often there is an 13th and 14th salary (for christmas and vacation) and the there are bonuses like a good and cheap public transport system, good public schools and universities etc.
Titles and degrees are important in Austria. You have to be aware that that is not only academic degrees. There is a defined system of combined apprentice/school education and specialised "high schools" for 14-19 year olds, that specialise in certain industries/trades like engine building, trade, tourism etc. So with tourism that means learning 2-3 l anguages, book-keeping, marketing as well as compulsory internship and stuff like that. And there are many well educated appliants from the neighbouring central European countries. So there is some competition on the job market. However if you are good with people and hard working you probably wil able to find something. But honestly with only 1 language (English not exactly an unique selling point) and no work experience you will not be able to make the desired 50 k a year...You need to get more qualifications
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By law an Austrian employer must prove that you are not doing a job that takes the job away from an Austrian. Which means that the person employing you must be very motivated to engage the authorities and make the case.
