I joined as a backend engineer on a Blue Card. The relocation support was strong: six weeks of furnished housing, help with the Anmeldung and a visa lawyer for the first application. Working language is English, and teams are very international. Salaries are fair for Berlin, though lower than Munich or London. We have 30 days of holiday and flexible hours, and nobody expects replies after 6pm. Engineering standards are good, with code reviews and time for refactoring. My main criticism is slow promotions and some decisions that feel top-down. Overall a good first employer in Germany.
Two years in Tokyo were some of the best of my life. It is enormous but feels like a collection of villages: every neighbourhood has its own shopping street, bathhouse and cafés. Trains are punctual to the minute, and I felt safe everywhere at any hour. Food is excellent at every price point, from a 500 yen bowl of soba to a special occasion omakase. The difficult parts are the job market if your Japanese is below N2, small apartments, and a work culture that can be demanding. Loneliness is common, but share houses, language exchanges and clubs make it easier to meet people. I would move back tomorrow.
Traditional banks asked me for proof of address that I did not have in my first week. Monzo let me open an account with my passport and visa, and the card arrived in three days. The app shows every payment instantly and the savings pots help me set aside money for rent and sending money home. Customer support in the app has been fast and friendly. It is useful to have a second account with a high street bank later for things like branch services and some mortgages, but for day to day banking Monzo has been perfect for me.
Quick to open without proof of address
University
Universitat de Barcelona, Spanish language courses· Barcelona
I enrolled in the university's Spanish courses for foreigners during my first year in Barcelona. The placement test was accurate, and the classes followed the European framework levels, which made progress easy to measure. Teachers were well trained and patient, and classmates came from all over the world. The price per term was reasonable compared with private academies. Classes are in the morning, which suited my US time zone schedule. Registration was a bit confusing online, and groups can be large at lower levels. I went from A2 to B1 in two terms.
I booked a room in an Oakhouse share house from France before I arrived and moved in on my second day in Japan. The English contract and low upfront cost were exactly what I needed. My room was small but clean and furnished, and the common fee included utilities and wifi. Common areas were cleaned twice a week by staff. Housemates were a mix of Japanese and foreign residents, which helped my Japanese. The downsides were thin walls, occasional queues for the shower and a kitchen that depended on everyone's habits. For a first six to twelve months, I would recommend it.
I added Suica to my phone on my first day in Tokyo, and it made life so easy. It works on every train, subway and bus in Tokyo, most other big cities, and in convenience stores, vending machines and many cafés. Topping up from the phone is instant. Tapping through gates is fast even at rush hour. The mobile version is easiest on iPhone, while some Android phones are not compatible. Physical cards had a supply shortage for a while, although that has improved. There is no discount compared with paper tickets, but the convenience is worth it.
Works almost everywhere
University
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies· Toronto
While working as a developer in Toronto, I took a data analytics certificate through the School of Continuing Studies in the evenings. The instructors were working professionals, and the assignments used real datasets. Class sizes were small enough to ask questions. It was not cheap, around 800 dollars per course, but my employer covered part of it. The certificate helped me show a Canadian credential when I applied for data roles, and it was a nice way to meet people outside work. Some course materials felt dated, and online sessions were less engaging than in-person ones.
I opened my account at a TD branch in Toronto in my first week using my passport and work permit. The advisor explained the newcomer package, which waived monthly fees for the first year and gave me a credit card without a Canadian credit history. The branch is open on Saturdays, which is important for my work schedule. The app is simple to use. After the first year, the monthly fee started unless I kept a minimum balance, so I had to change account type. International transfers to the Philippines are expensive through the bank, so I use another service for those.
Dubai offers a lot: tax-free salaries, safety, excellent infrastructure and a mix of nationalities you do not find anywhere else. As an Egyptian, I could live comfortably in Arabic or English. The job market in engineering, finance and hospitality is large, and it is easy to change employers. Deliveries, government services and banking are fast and mostly digital. However, rents have increased sharply since 2022, and traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road can take a big part of your day. Summers from June to September are extremely hot, so outdoor life is limited. It is a great place to build a career and savings, but think carefully about where you live.
No income tax
Service
Paid cita previa booking seller, Barcelona· Barcelona
Desperate for a fingerprint appointment for my TIE, I paid 60 euros to a person advertising appointments in an expat group. They booked a slot, but at the wrong police station and for the wrong procedure, so I was turned away. When I asked for help, they stopped replying. Later I learned that reselling public appointments is a problem the authorities are actively tackling. I eventually found my own appointment after checking the official website every morning for 11 days. Save your money, check the official portal early in the day, or use a registered gestor with a real office.
Replied quickly at first
Booked the wrong procedure
No refund
Housing
Mid-term furnished room via rental platform, Lisbon Arroios· Lisbon
I rented a furnished room in a shared apartment in Arroios for four months through a mid-term rental platform. Booking from Brazil was easy, and I had an address from day one, which helped with paperwork. But at 750 euros a month for a small room, it was expensive. The photos made the room look much bigger. The heating did not work well, and in winter the apartment was cold and damp. Communication with the management company was slow, and a repair took three weeks. I would only use this option for the first few weeks while searching.
Easy to book from abroad
Address for registration from day one
Expensive for the size
Employer
International engineering consultancy, Dubai office· Dubai
I worked here for three years as a civil engineer. The projects were impressive and I learned a lot about large-scale infrastructure design and international codes. The visa and Emirates ID process was handled well by the PRO team. But working hours were regularly 55 to 60 hours a week before deadlines, with no overtime pay for engineers. My salary was not reviewed for two years despite good appraisals, and the housing allowance did not keep up with rent increases. Management communication was poor. It was a useful stepping stone, but I would advise asking hard questions about hours and salary reviews.
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