Not that I am planning to move there, but I always hear of amazing laid back life styles in these countries. So I was wondering how is life for YOU? Is your life laid back as well? If you are in France do you also work 35 hours?
Why Pakistani? Well, in many countries immigrants lead a different lifestyle which results in not enjoying all the benefits the country has to offer. That may be a good thing, or a bad thing, just depends.
Look at it this way, here in the US a lot of Pakistanis run their own businesses. A typical full time job in the US allows for vacation, health insurance benefits, maternity leave for women, flexible schedules, unemployment insurance etc. If you run your business, then you have to take care of all these yourself. Most just forgo all of these and focus on running the business. They may not be enjoying the benefits in the short term, however their eye is on the long term benefits when their business takes off and they can enjoy the wealth and benefits that come with that.
There are also Pakistanis who work part time jobs, and do not get these benefits, so life for them is difficult. There are welfare programs, but those are never really enough.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Life is good for those who are willing to put in some work I guess. It's not like USA. We've free health care, you don't have to worry about what you will do if you fall sick. There is a safety net, so if you lose your job, for some time you will still have an income. Students from 18+ are paid to go to school/college/university. You only have to pay for your books, rest is all free.
Sadly, I think in scandinavia they've to take some drastic measures to change the mentality among some people. It's not very desireable to work if you know someone on benefits is being paid the same amount as you (working 37 hours per week) - unless you've a good degree and a well paid job.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Ps. Knowing people in France and Spain, I can tell you, we've it much better in Scandi-land, so if you ever want to move I think that should be your destination. At the very moment, I think Sweden has the best laws for immigration.
*Adding to the benefits above: 52 weeks paid maternity leave, you can extend it, I can't remember the rules now.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Ps. Knowing people in France and Spain, I can tell you, we've it much better in Scandi-land, so if you ever want to move I think that should be your destination. At the very moment, I think Sweden has the best laws for immigration.
*Adding to the benefits above: 52 weeks paid maternity leave, you can extend it, I can't remember the rules now.
But then, who does the real work? Who is working the long hours doing research, or developing products?
Let me give you an example. I used to work at a job in the US which used to emphasize work life balance. I used to work in IT, where work never stops, something is always going on. Well the employees were told to take it easy and not exceed 40+ hours. So who did the work after that? Indians. Either they were sitting in India, or were here on work visa working for the likes of Wipro or Infosys. Most of these guys worked 50+ hours to support their clients.
So someone was doing the work, while other slept or played.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
France is pretty laid back, so is Spain and Portugal. I get 45 paid annual leaves but I take once every two years. I have social security that covers about 70% of my medical expenses but I've never used it so far. July and August are two months where locals run away on holidays and we Asians can also go but we don't. Overall the life is much easier and has benefits but all depends on the people who like to utilize them. Like I can take my paid 45 leaves every year, but I don't. My contract is also 35 hours per week but I work longer than that and not complain because at the moment I don't have any family to take care of. But the weekends are all mine :D
Another social support system that French have is the monthly payment that is made to the people who have monthly income below a threshold to help them pay rent etc. It's bit complicated (French bureaucracy) but everyone gets it, I know Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans, Nepalese etc. who get this monthly support. HEC scholars who came for PhD in France received this amount regardless of their nationality. The Arabs and Africans literally do nothing and raise their families on this.
Overall continental Europe is the place to be, and Spain is my favorite. Life gets more competitive and difficult as you move North towards Denmark and Scandinavian countries.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
But then, who does the real work? Who is working the long hours doing research, or developing products?
Let me give you an example. I used to work at a job in the US which used to emphasize work life balance. I used to work in IT, where work never stops, something is always going on. Well the employees were told to take it easy and not exceed 40+ hours. So who did the work after that? Indians. Either they were sitting in India, or were here on work visa working for the likes of Wipro or Infosys. Most of these guys worked 50+ hours to support their clients.
So someone was doing the work, while other slept or played.
People like us, although we are in the system and can take the benefits like the locals but we do not. The place where I work becomes a ghost town in the months of July and August, no French soul to be seen. All Asians stay behind. Can we also go? yes we can but where we'll go? Back to home countries, no the tickets are super expensive in summer so save money and go in Winter.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
But then, who does the real work? Who is working the long hours doing research, or developing products?
Let me give you an example. I used to work at a job in the US which used to emphasize work life balance. I used to work in IT, where work never stops, something is always going on. Well the employees were told to take it easy and not exceed 40+ hours. So who did the work after that? Indians. Either they were sitting in India, or were here on work visa working for the likes of Wipro or Infosys. Most of these guys worked 50+ hours to support their clients.
So someone was doing the work, while other slept or played.
I dont know if u know but the work moral in northern eu is different than the work moral in USA. like when its summer, they really dont do much work becuz its vacation time whereas usa is on the roll all the time. I dont recognize the picture ekku draws abt foreigners being the once working, it happens maybe at christmas tht u see more black heads but not otherwise, obviously there are ppl who are working long hours etc but at the end everyone is enjoying as well becuz there are many rules, like ie doctors, in uk and usa these basically live in the hospital for the first few yrs, while here u are not allowed to give them a shift longer than 12 hours (some have specific rules for 24 hours shift, but still), u are not allowed to give them more than 1 night shift every 8th day or so .. its a jungle of protecting laws. I dont know if tht made sense at all.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Life is good for those who are willing to put in some work I guess. It's not like USA. We've free health care, you don't have to worry about what you will do if you fall sick. There is a safety net, so if you lose your job, for some time you will still have an income. Students from 18+ are paid to go to school/college/university. You only have to pay for your books, rest is all free.
Damn I'm moving down there. But wait, will I get a job? Wuts the unemployment rate?
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Tell me what kind of education you have and I will tell you the unemployment rate, they're, as far as I know, not that bad and not as bad as South EU at all.
Everyone who I know has been able to find a job within 6-9 months time after graduating - and these are people who wanted to chill a bit before working because they have the safety net of an income for some time.
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
So how are US doctors received there? People who have studied and practiced in US- do they need to go through additional licensing exams? And how're employment opportunities?
Also, don't know how true it is- but are people super judgemental of hijabis especially in Sweden and France?
I love that college education is something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Can anyone describe the schooling set up?!? How long are the schooling hours and is there any standardized testing?
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
What do u mean by standardized testing?
Schooling hours:
Class 0-9th (10 is optional)
First few years: 8-1pm
Later on u have classes till 2 or 3(veryyy few). The days u are there till 3, u usually meet up at 9 or 10. Pr week its something like 30 for young and 35 for eldest class.
Highschool: 3 yrs. (Latest class ends at 4pm)
Uni: standard program 3+2yrs hours are a bit diff depending on subject. A lot of flexibility. Not many mandatory classes, u can get thru Law School by just studying on ur own if u want (med is 3+3 yrs though and proffesional bachelors are 3,5-4 yrs like teaching, nurse, some eng, office stuff)
Safoora my guess is tht you dont need to og thru testing but i could be wrong. I know ppl from Asia has to but not other EU countries .. I Think i Will look it up :/
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Damn I'm moving down there. But wait, will I get a job? Wuts the unemployment rate?
Where exactly are you btw?
everything is good as long as u tell the desi that english is not your standard language there.. so u will have to learn a new language, ur kids will not be conversing in english, then see all desis run away to uk/usa :-S
Re: Pakistanis in Scandinavian countries, or France, Spain, etc how is life for YOU?
Oh, first official exams are at the end of 9th. Before this until 7th there is usually no thing as grades, u get evaluations twice a yr though. From 7th grade instead of evaluation u get grades based on hand in projects and ur oral presentation in the class.
In HS u also get grades based on ur hand in projects and oral presentation in class. These are called yr grades and at exam time there is a draw for oral exams and u only have exam in the subject which is drawn. U have written exams in all your B and A levels subjects (2 in 2nd and probably 2-3 in 3rd yr if i remember) Hmm yeah i Think thts all :) ur yr grades get transferred to ur diploma so usually ppl chill in the start and work only for those subjects which they wont have next yr. Just ask Aaze she is a prof at this lol.