While many people don't have to file their own taxes in the UK, a good number of workers still do, like those that are self-employed or those who make a total taxable income of more than £100,000.
—Anonymous
"The government properly works for its people, and there are so many departments and offices that you can find help when you need it. The more I learn about the inner workings of German elections and the safeguards in place within their government, the more I realize how flawed the US government and election system is. While I love my country and am thankful for the opportunities being American has given me, I am flat-out scared with the direction the US government is taking."
—Anonymous
"...like understanding differences in how utilities are billed, discovering new condo rules as you accidentally break them, figuring out what bikini wax service to book in Portuguese (and being terrified of the Google results), and finding plus-sized clothes (and learning your size in a different system). It’s been an extremely humbling experience that has slowly taught me to embrace the fact that I struggle and need help sometimes (recovering eldest daughter here). That being said, one year in, I’ve learned so much, met wonderful people, and still get swept up in how charming and special Brazil can be. I’m glad I took this opportunity, despite how confusing and lonely it can be."
—Anonymous
—Anonymous
"I remember once in a meeting I volunteered to cover a weekend task that was presented to the group. My boss messaged me on the side and asked me to stand down as it was actually directed to another person on the team to volunteer. I remember thinking, 'Why didn’t he ask X directly?' Lots of unspoken subtleties and politics to navigate."
—Anonymous
—Anonymous
—Anonymous
—Anonymous
"When I was complaining to a Portuguese coworker, she said, 'Dutch food has no flavor, but you’re probably used to that since you ate McDonalds every day.' 😒 Reader, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve eaten McDonalds. She assumed that’s the only thing Americans eat."
—Anonymous
—Anonymous
"The real problem, though, was when I decided to come back home to the US permanently a few years later. It took me two years (two years!!) to find a FT job in the US, even though I had years of experience working in international companies in Poland. Recruiters would see my résumé and ask, 'Do you speak English?' They basically considered my experience from Europe nonexistent."
—Anonymous
"1. Firstly, it seems it takes an act of God to get fired in Germany. The regulations that protect employees' rights are much more strenuous here, and I'm not even a union member. Nobody, no matter how badly they've messed up, is ever left high and dry with no income. It just doesn't happen unless you murder your officemate or something really, really extreme. And even in that case, you won't likely be turned down for unemployment.
2. Not only do I automatically get six weeks of vacation per year, I also get unlimited sick leave. Sick absences do not require proof unless they are more than three days, and I've seen doctors write two-week notes for mild colds — wild. I had spinal surgery last year and got nine weeks off work. The company paid my full salary for the first six weeks, then it went down to 75% or so. But the remaining 25% was made up by my health insurance (which is not private). The German mentality is, in my view, 'If you're sick, you're sick. Period.'
3. I've never been pregnant, but my colleagues generally take 6–12 months off after giving birth. But if they want more time off, they can have it (fathers, too, by the way). Even if they're not collecting income during that time, their job must be waiting for them when they return. One colleague of mine had triplets so she got TWO years off.
4. There is no stress when asking for time off. Quality of your overall life is so much more of a priority here. When you want to take a vacation, nobody guilts you, even if you want to take time off at the same time [as] your colleagues. I've seen entire, granted smaller, companies shut down for the month of August to accommodate vacations. It's totally wild. It would never, ever happen in the US. You do not get work calls, emails, or messages while you are on vacation because your time off is RESPECTED by everyone, even your friends!
It is for this reason, and the healthcare situation over here, that I will never return to the United States to live and work. It's just toooooo good here. I will never go back to being under-appreciated and overworked with very few benefits. This change has also made me a better employee. They give me so much leeway and understanding and chances, so I give them my all and carefully choose my battles when necessary, of which there are few, because I am not disgruntled."
—Anonymous