In today’s globalized world, getting an international job is an exciting opportunity that can change your life. But if you’re like me, you might not know where to start. My journey began in 2014, and it all started with a simple conversation with a friend.
He told me about an agency that could get me a job in Romania for around $3000. It sounded promising, as he had already gone through them. Romania seemed like a great choice because it had plenty of unskilled job opportunities and the salaries were good. For an unskilled worker from an Asian country, Romania felt like the only real option to get to Europe. Other European countries like Germany rarely hire for unskilled jobs.
The Challenges of a New Start
After I arrived, the biggest challenge was the language barrier. It was incredibly difficult to understand people at first. Luckily, the culture was similar to other European countries, so that wasn’t a big problem. What really surprised me was the weather. We don’t have distinct seasons like winter and summer in Sri Lanka, so adjusting to the cold weather was a big struggle for me initially.
Financing and Paperwork
The financial side of things was also a challenge. To get the $3000 I needed for the agency, I had to take out a bank loan, using a piece of my land as collateral. But I was confident that once I started working, I could easily pay it back each month. Since I went through a trusted agency, they handled all the paperwork for me, including the visa documents, work permit, and even my airline tickets. My friend’s positive experience with the same agency gave me the confidence to trust them completely.
Why Romania Was the Right Choice
Compared to other European countries, Romania had a huge advantage: free accommodation and food were often included with the job. This was a massive benefit, as living expenses in other European countries can be extremely high. It made it possible for me to save money while living and traveling. However, a major change happened after Romania became a Schengen country. The total cost for the entire process, including the travel and paperwork, went up to around $6000, which was double the original cost.