So it's been 15 months...

[epsonderby 85]

So I arrived in May 2012 on vacation and decided to stay! Got my GC in November 2012 and started my first job in December 2012.

Life has been pretty good so far. Being married is awesome. My daughter just started school last Thursday as well.

Most, if not all, people in my town are fantastic. Nothing seems like it is too much trouble and I feel much safer living here than I have ever felt elsewhere in the world. Still adjusting to everything being so spaced out and always having to drive everywhere.

The climate has done wonders for me also. I love the weather here in Georgia - might be the only one! I get a kick out of the heat, especially after living in Russia before coming here!

The only aspect of my life that isn't going well is work. I'm finding it super-hard to adjust to the way the American workplace handles itself - humor seems to not exist and people seem very stand-offish. I am also finding it hard to be understood by customers I interact with and a day doesn't go by where somebody doesn't ask to speak to an 'American' or rant at me about how 'American' jobs are all going to 'foreigners'.

I have been thinking about going to school, I just don't know what I want to do. I was never one of those kids that knew their path from high school. I got good grades at high school, but never went to college. How does someone that has never found their 'niche' choose a degree that will make them happy? I am scared of making the wrong choice as I'm nearly 34 and want to be happy, employable, and motivated!

Rant over! I'm looking forward to ROC next year...

[Ning 619]

So I arrived in May 2012 on vacation and decided to stay! Got my GC in November 2012 and started my first job in December 2012.

Life has been pretty good so far. Being married is awesome. My daughter just started school last Thursday as well.

Most, if not all, people in my town are fantastic. Nothing seems like it is too much trouble and I feel much safer living here than I have ever felt elsewhere in the world. Still adjusting to everything being so spaced out and always having to drive everywhere.

The climate has done wonders for me also. I love the weather here in Georgia - might be the only one! I get a kick out of the heat, especially after living in Russia before coming here!

The only aspect of my life that isn't going well is work. I'm finding it super-hard to adjust to the way the American workplace handles itself - humor seems to not exist and people seem very stand-offish. I am also finding it hard to be understood by customers I interact with and a day doesn't go by where somebody doesn't ask to speak to an 'American' or rant at me about how 'American' jobs are all going to 'foreigners'.

I have been thinking about going to school, I just don't know what I want to do. I was never one of those kids that knew their path from high school. I got good grades at high school, but never went to college. How does someone that has never found their 'niche' choose a degree that will make them happy? I am scared of making the wrong choice as I'm nearly 34 and want to be happy, employable, and motivated!

Rant over! I'm looking forward to ROC next year...

What a great idea. Post a rant on an immigration web site that exists to help people with visas. Then ask those very people to determine what you can not about the path your life should take. Nothing I can think of spell success more that that concept.

Why not begin at your local college talking to the counselors employed to help people just like you? Take advantage of the Pell grant system for example.

The wrong choice is to do nothing. Your emotional condition will always be totally up to you.

[epsonderby 85]

What a great idea. Post a rant on an immigration web site that exists to help people with visas. Then ask those very people to determine what you can not about the path your life should take. Nothing I can think of spell success more that that concept.

Why not begin at your local college talking to the counselors employed to help people just like you? Take advantage of the Pell grant system for example.

The wrong choice is to do nothing. Your emotional condition will always be totally up to you.

My career question was intended to be rhetorical, but I appreciate your reply.

I did try going to a few 'counselors', however they just tried to suggest general studies until I worked it out for myself. I even tried a career coach to help me find a direction and that wasn't too helpful either.

The main part of my post was to actually share my journey so far...

[NikLR 13,227]

Hrm, that first response wasn't quite what you were looking for I assume.

As per finding out what you like to do, what kind of hobbies do you have? Are you good with computers? Do you like working with people? Outside? Inside? Plants? Animals? Are you organized? Detail oriented? Can you visualize things that are abstract or do they need to be linear? Do you like arranging things or have a flair for decorating? To be honest I want to go back to school as well but certain things that interest me, just won't pay for themselves in the long run. For instance, for the last 8 years approximately I've looked into being a vet tech or animal health tech. In Canada it is a well paying job at about $20 - $30/hr and starts at $15ish. Which works out when you spend $25000 on 2 years of schooling. I can deal with that. But down here, the wage starts closer to $12/hr and tops out at $15. I can't justify it when it costs the same in tuition. So now I'm stuck looking around a bit more. As it is, where I live requires a year of residence to get in-state tuition so I have a year to figure out what I want to take if I decide to go back to school. I get your dilemma!

I can imagine it can be hard when people have a hard time understanding your accent. There are lots of posts in this section relating directly to that and the poor attitude that people can sometimes have with foreigners.

[epsonderby 85]

Hrm, that first response wasn't quite what you were looking for I assume.

As per finding out what you like to do, what kind of hobbies do you have? Are you good with computers? Do you like working with people? Outside? Inside? Plants? Animals? Are you organized? Detail oriented? Can you visualize things that are abstract or do they need to be linear? Do you like arranging things or have a flair for decorating? To be honest I want to go back to school as well but certain things that interest me, just won't pay for themselves in the long run. For instance, for the last 8 years approximately I've looked into being a vet tech or animal health tech. In Canada it is a well paying job at about $20 - $30/hr and starts at $15ish. Which works out when you spend $25000 on 2 years of schooling. I can deal with that. But down here, the wage starts closer to $12/hr and tops out at $15. I can't justify it when it costs the same in tuition. So now I'm stuck looking around a bit more. As it is, where I live requires a year of residence to get in-state tuition so I have a year to figure out what I want to take if I decide to go back to school. I get your dilemma!

I can imagine it can be hard when people have a hard time understanding your accent. There are lots of posts in this section relating directly to that and the poor attitude that people can sometimes have with foreigners.

Ha, I didn't really know what kind of replies to expect!

I write a lot, enjoy computers, and enjoy helping people. I'm very organized, I like details and I love abstract concepts. I tend to enjoy being challenged and get a buzz out of pushing myself to the limit. I have spent a lot of my working career in management and training roles - Europe was very good at judging me on my performance and results. The US wants academic achievements which I don't have, sadly.

You mentioned about being a vet, I actually looked into that. I could never afford the tuition though.

Will have lived in-state for a year come November. I have been looking at distance-learning at UK-based schools (3 years vs 4 years).

I just find the accent thing rude, as a large majority seem to love it! All it takes is one to bring you down...

[NikLR 13,227]

Not a vet, a vet tech. It's like a nurse for animals.

You could look into being a doctor's or dental assistant or even into becoming a nurse, EMT, or move into the computer tech fields like an IT or ET. The FAA is always looking for people it seems and you can get in easier by going to their academy, but it's located in Oklahoma City.

[Nurseling 34]

Iam a nurse here in the UK and Nursing seems to be a good profession to go in to in the US. But it would require going back to school and getting in to nursing school. I just got my Noa2 recently on the 29th July. I too will be heading to Georgia lithia springs area for a few months till we find a apartment in Atlantic station area. Aml so used to the convenience of being able to walk to the shops that I just can't get my head around all the driving that everyone does there. I suppose when shops are far out you have to drive. I will be taking driving lessons once I arrive.

As I said I am a Nuse so I plan to go in to nursing when I get to Georgia. I have fully prepared myself by takeing the NCLEX exam which is the US licensure exam to be a nurse so I am licences to work in Georgia. If that is of interest to you and since we are going to be in the same state I am more than happy to guide you through the process. What do you work as right now?

I did note that the people in Georgia are friendly from my many visits down there. And yes the accent does seem to throw them at times. I find I have to repeat myself a lot then just blame it on my English lol. You seem to be settling in so that's positive. Let us know more about your experiences.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The US uni system takes longer than UK, true, but that is because it is a liberal-arts based model and you take more general and classes outside your area of study to become a "well-rounded" individual. If you don't know what you want to do, and are interested in school, then I would think that this is a good thing. You could try out various things and see what you like. But, if you have been in business and management and like that field then maybe a business degree could help you get a leg up in the same field. If you want something else, and like writing, a journalism degree might be a good idea.