It may seem unlikely but is it possible?
Nov 23rd 2011, 6:04 am
#16
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Valencia, Spain.
Posts: 16
Nov 23rd 2011, 9:26 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2011
Location: New Mexico, USA
Posts: 231
Re: It may seem unlikely but is it possible?
I am in my final year of university (studying English Lit/Lang) here in England and I have had this desire to move to America (NY) for a very long time.
However, as a UK citizen I will obviously be unable to enter the GreenCard Lotto, get married to a US citizen (on the account I am gay
) and as I would be unable to invest a large sum of money in a business that also seems doubtful. I know there are other methods such as a sponsor however in the field I study English I have no idea as to where to begin looking in terms of a sponsor.
I have indeed visited America several times and this is something that I definitely want to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to go about this? Any help is MUCH appreciated!
However, as a UK citizen I will obviously be unable to enter the GreenCard Lotto, get married to a US citizen (on the account I am gay
) and as I would be unable to invest a large sum of money in a business that also seems doubtful. I know there are other methods such as a sponsor however in the field I study English I have no idea as to where to begin looking in terms of a sponsor. I have indeed visited America several times and this is something that I definitely want to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to go about this? Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Last edited by Rose tea; Nov 23rd 2011 at 9:29 am.
Nov 23rd 2011, 9:54 am
#19
Misses Los Angeles
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: London
Posts: 436
Re: It may seem unlikely but is it possible?
The one thing I would change about my own career trajectory would be to at least be aware of how much you paint yourself into a corner going into academia. If I had known I would have to move around the world to get a job, the fact I could get a job abroad would not seem quite as appealing. Add in the bit where you almost never get to choose where the job is ("in the US" can and did mean "bumblef**k Oklahoma") and there are a few things I'd say to young retzie.
Re. teaching, I have the impression (maybe incorrectly?) that it's a much better career in the UK than in the USA. Several people from my BA did PGCEs afterwards, and are now doing well; over here in California it seems like a much less secure career path, with loads of lay-offs and reduced hours.
If the OP wants to stay in English Lit/Lan academia after his BA, that's pretty bleak. There was never much money in humanities postgrad, and with this economy there's less than ever, so only sink your time and money into a Master's/PhD (in any country) if you're absolutely in love with your subject. At this point, drifting into humanities academia by default is a bad idea, practically speaking. (Should note: I'm saying this as someone with a BA and MPhil in English Lit, rather than as someone who thinks anything other than a hard science is a complete waste of time. If I were independently wealthy, I'd totally stay in academia.)
Finally, if the OP is interested in New York, he might consider a Mountbatten Institute work placement. It only lasts a year, with zero chance of extension, but you get to work in NYC and meet a lot of people. A friend of mine did it. TBH, it's one of those internship schemes for wealthy graduates -- I think you pay 7000GBP -- but it's not a terrible deal, as I believe you get accommodation and health insurance and a modest monthly stipend.
Last edited by MoshiMoshi; Nov 23rd 2011 at 10:02 am. Reason: to show pro-humanities bias
