Senior English and criminology and criminal justice major
There are some of us, some very imaginative people, who have what I call the “European fantasy.” And for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, let me explain.
A European fantasy is some college students’ dream of moving to Europe and living an unbelievably posh lifestyle. Through television, movies, fashion magazines and made-up stereotypes, these dreamers have painted Europe as the mecca of fabulosity. This fantasy includes drinking tea on sunny afternoons, going to art galleries with chic friends and taking pictures of random things at odd angles. I have lived in Ukraine, Denmark and Portugal — three extremely different European countries — so I think I have at least some legitimacy in crushing this dream. Yes, I’m dream-crushing.
Your European fantasy doesn’t exist, and you will never live that life while you live in Europe.
Well, maybe not never. But 99 percent never. Let me explain.
Of course, you have to have a job to live in Europe. You have to have a job anywhere, unless you’re fantastically rich and don’t need one. If that’s the case, disregard everything I’m saying and live anywhere you want because you can. But for the rest of us, a job is essential.
I’m not even going to get into how difficult it is to persuade a European government to give you a work permit. Yeah, you can’t work in Europe unless the government deems the position you’re applying for so difficult to fill that they have to go outside of their own borders. Countries don’t like giving their jobs to foreigners. But before you even apply for a work permit, you might have to learn a new language.
Thankfully, many European countries have strong English schooling and many Europeans can speak English. However, to get a job there, you absolutely must speak the local language. Maybe you’ll be surprised to know that an extraordinary amount of Europeans are at least bilingual. My manicurist in Portugal can easily switch among four languages. Unfortunately, most of us Americans don’t have that skill. Let’s admit it, some of us can barely speak English.
But let’s say you got the job. Honestly, congratulations. Now you have to realize that the standard of living in most European countries is very different from the American standard. There aren’t many 24/7 businesses. If the pipe in your measly apartment breaks after the workday has ended, tough luck. Wait until the stores open again. If your Internet goes out, you can’t just call up someone and work it out over the phone. You literally have to go to the nearest provider store, wait in line and try to communicate your problem.
Furthermore, unless you’re at the Vatican, those art galleries are a collection of five confusing paintings stuck somewhere between a kebab hut and bike shop. And oddly, it’s always raining in those very countries we associate with drinking tea in the sunlight. Also, everything is more expensive than you can imagine.
But of course, this isn’t to say you should never go to Europe. If you can, visit it as much as possible. As a vacation destination, it’s amazing. You’ll see landmarks, architecture, art and food that are unparalleled. This also isn’t to say you should give up on the fantasy. If you’re really set on living in Europe, do your research, visit your destination and become an informed consumer. I’m just here to tell you that not every country has safe drinking water.
Margaret Zelenski is a senior English and criminology and criminal justice major. She can be reached at mzelenskidbk@gmail.com.
