Want to get a master's degree in Norway, Finland, Austria, or Germany, which offers the best job prospects?

Question

Hi,

I am an American with my bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, and have worked in supply chain/logistics, data analyst/administrative settings, and have a working knowledge of Excel(Microsoft Office in general) functions, VBA language/macros, etc. using the program on a daily basis for my job. I have considered getting my master's degree in Norway or Finland because these countries offer free education even to non-EU residents. I have also read that some schools in Austria and Germany are free of charge except for textbooks and living expenses. My question is this--if I was to move to one of these countries which would offer the best job opportunities with the degree I already have?

I had considered traveling there for a study abroad program, but they are generally short, cost a lot, and I would be able to get the full experience of living in these countries studying for a degree. I am also considering other factors, such as how friendly the locals are to foreigners, the fact that Norway and Finland are freezing cold most of the year, that I am more familiar with the German language having taken the full series of German courses at the college I attended (though I am familiar with Scandinavian languages and food). However the overarching factor I am most interested in, is which place would be easier to find a moderately good paying job in?

I would like to be able to support myself when I move there. Any help would be great.

Answer 1

It's true study visas are non-immigrant visas, but that doesn't mean you can't file for a new permit within the allotted time frame.



For Norway, you can file for another permit from within the country as long as you've been here for at least 9 month and have 30 days remaining on your permit. In addition, people from countries who don't need a visa to enter (like America), you can come to Norway for six months for the purposes of job hunting. The only catch there is, you have to have been out of Schengen for the past 90 days in order to take advantage of that.



Skilled work is wanted immigration in Norway.

http://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/job-seekers/?c=usa#A-job-seeker-who-is-a-skilled-worker-and-does-not-need-a-visa-1



As for finances, saving money is a bad, bad reason for studying abroad. Despite the fact that uni is essentially free, you still have extremely high costs of living, and immigration is going to make you prove you have the funds to support yourself. Currently that's NOK 94 400/yr and goes up annually. It'll be slightly less for the other two, but not by much.



As for work after, it depends. Norway is actually trying to retain students after they complete their studies, and there's not all that successful at the moment. Getting a job can be hard when you haven't established decent connections, and it can be hard to do as a foreigner.

Answer 2

A student visa is a NON immigrant visa. It does not lead to residency.



Compare it to American fishermen who have found a way to fish successfully under really difficult conditions and allow you to come to the United States and learn how to do that as well, so that you afterward can go home and bring his newly acquired skills to work and help YOUR people to fish the same way in their lakes. The last thing the American fishermen want is for a foreigner to fish in their lake once he has learned the skill. Makes sense, doesn't it?



Same here: you can get a Master's degree in any of those countries, but that doesn't allow you to compete with citizens and permanent residents for those jobs.

Answer 3

Student visas are temporary NON-immigration class of visas issued on the condition that foreign students return to their country of citizenship immediately upon completion or termination of studies.



Since you are a citizen of a non-EU-member country, it is extremely unlikely you could be hired in any of these countries after graduation. EU rules - and they have a huge, well-educated labor pool in the EU. You would have to have specialized expertise which is not available in Europe to have any chance at a job. You must plan to return to your country of citizenship.