Funny as it may seem, I have always had an inkling that I would end up living in the states. Life has brought me into contact with many Americans. I have had several American girlfriends, causing me to visit America many times before I eventually met my wife to be. When I did eventually move here I was very happy to be coming stateside. Was I surprised? Not in the least. However, no matter how many times you visit a country, actually living there will always give you culture shock. Dealing with offialdom, ordering in restaurants, mixing with the locals, getting used to the way things are done in a particular country will always surprise you, confuse you, and give you a steep learning curve to overcome.

ahem PMSL

Yes but the job satisfaction was immense.

I was going to say that this higer ejoomication aint what it used to be....I'd ask for my money back if I were you

Why aint you watching the Everton match?

I forgot something. As I am here on an H4 visa I have no social security number and that makes me feel invisible at times. Yesterday I took my youngest to the music shop to set up the hire of her clarinet. (school music lessons). I forgot that I would be turned away because of the lack of ss number. I felt like an unwanted immigrant, which I probably am.
I think it may be different if you are comming on an L visa and your OH can work and so have that magic number.

In the post today is an advert for government employees. Non residents and convicted felons need not apply. That said it all.

you betcha ........

Best I ever pulled of without anything beyond HS level was $10/hr and that was in CA where prices are a lot higher. Don't really see how anyone here can make it without a degree of some sort. Not that I'm a degree snob - much rather have found a way without one. I suppose there are careers here in the states where you can do OK without higher educ, but how many Firemen, Policemen can there be?

Aqueduct Builders.

SHit

woohoo own goal....1-0 everton.

Ah, the voice of reason.
Allright Gruff.

Aw dear. I know how that felt. I came here at a time when L2's couldn't work - he only signed it into law recently, so know exactly what it was like - and yes, I too felt like a non-person for a while.

Could you not have used your ITIN number? (Tax ID Number)

I am a Registered Engineer but my paper stops at the ONC. until I took the EIT and PE exams, back to back. I had to document 12 years of relevant experience.

I had strict instructions from the Chief Engineer, to never mention that I didn't have a degree, because some of my subordinates who had degrees might scream. This, notwithstanding that I was given many of them, to teach them how to use the tools they had been given in college.

ain't most of them firemen volunteers though?

Would I do it again?

Not the first 5 or 6 years, but yes to the last 6 or so.....
But it doesn't work that way does it ?!
You don't know the risks or the challenges if you don't jump in and give it a go....... that's the joy of life and living. Your'e not supposed to have hindsight it takes all the fun out of struggling thru the bad and enjoying the good.

Greatest Culture shock/lifestyle shock?
Nothing can prepare you for the isolation you can sometimes feel from leaving everything that is familiar to you. It doesn't matter how much you have travelled or where you have been in this world this is a whole different experience.

Missing Family has to top my list, I never gave much thought to how I would feel 10 years down the line and then 10 more. I do feel like the time here has flashed by and now I find myself wandering where the last 15 years went, my parents have grown old and I wander if I have missed out somewhere.

But in the words of John Lennon "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"