Emigrate - Do seasonal work!

Do seasonal work in a hotel or on a farm, a cruise ship, a factory or work as a flight attendant. Fruit-picking is one of these seasonal jobs.

Important to know

Emigrant: Person who leaves their country to live in another country.

For example, I am a Portuguese emigrant.

Immigrant: Person who is living and working outside the country of origin (Portugal).

For example: I am an immigrant in Scotland.

I advise you to carry several copies of your passport and never give it to anyone else. Be careful! Always keep an eye on your passport. If you lose it, you will not be able to leave the country.

There are countries where you can come into contact with a different culture from yours, for example, Japan, South Africa, Australia. Or you can go to areas we can describe as having a “peculiar nature”, for example, the Arctic Circle (here you can see the Aurora Borealis), Fjords in Norway or New Zealand, the Isle of Skye in Scotland...

For example, Norway has places where you can hike or you can improve your English in Canada or in Ireland.

There are a lot of farms in Europe. The Netherlands, for example, has a prosperous floral industry.

You can easily find these jobs and they are usually accommodation provided jobs. If you are thinking of doing this, you should always get seasonal jobs that provide accommodation for their workers.

• You should search on the internet for “jobs with accommodation provided in...” and send an email to the manager of the company, or search on the internet: 

I go to Google Maps and write, Hotels in the Polar Arctic Circle. And then, I'm gonna found many hotels. Then I select those that are in isolated places.

Hotels that are in isolated places will certainly have to offer accommodation to workers.

I look, or try, to find the best resorts, or even castles that are hotels.

Afterwards, I open the links of each isolated resort, look for the contacts and send the following message.

 For example:

You should write to the manager of the hotel:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am looking for a job as a waitress in your hotel with accommodation provided.

My name is J'Silv, I am 27 years old and a European citizen.

As you can see from the enclosed CV, I am currently working as a waitress in a hotel in Lapland - Finland.

In the past I have worked as a waitress in Edinburgh, London and on the Isle of Skye. I have also worked with nursery plants and flowers in the Netherlands, and volunteered in a children's institution in Thailand, Nepal and on farms in Portugal.

I think it will be a challenge, but I am sure I will enjoy working in your hotel.

I am available for an interview at your convenience and can start work in October 2023.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

My phone number: +000 555 666 777

My email address: ....@,,,.com

(If this is not the right contact to send this message to, please let me know. Thank you)

Yours faithfully,

J Silv.

This part is very important!!! After you send the email describing your skills and availability, call the company on the phone. And say something like this:

“Good afternoon/morning… I’ve just sent an email to your company/farm/hotel... Do you have access to my email? I'm calling reception, aren't I?

Probably the company/farm/hotel worker will say: “Yes! I work at the reception of the hotel and I have just received your email. Are you looking for a job with accommodation provided? “

And you can answer: "Could you forward my email to the human resources manager of the hotel and to the “head of reception of the hotel/ to the head housekeeper of the hotel/ to the head chef”, please? Thanks. Have a good day! “

We have to go after our goals!

You can work in a Spa hotel and have access to yoga and fitness classes. You should take some time to take care of yourself, and go to a Sauna, a Pool, or a Turkish bath, and take care of your nails and skin so that you feel beautiful!

You can work on a cruise ship, and you get to travel the world.

You can work in a hotel or an amusement park, and enjoy what these places have to offer!

There are many options:  receptionist, hotel manager, chef, kitchen assistant, waiter, bellboy, massagist, security, maintenance or housekeeping. Even as a nurse, there are cruises ships that ask for nurses, and personal trainers. If you don’t speak the language of the country, you can try to work as a housekeeper or as a kitchen porter. Apply for one of these jobs, learn a foreign language and save some money!

Seasonal work or even volunteer work on farms is a great opportunity for everyone, but it is essential for people who live in unpleasant, toxic and violent environments, or people who are very close to their family, or who have attachment problems. Accepting this challenge in your or in another country could help you rest, enjoy and reflect on life, get inspiration, become more independent, brave and strong.

Remember: When we emigrate, we often do it alone, so play it safe and be careful.

Human beings are evil and abusive by nature, so if any of your employers tries to seduce you, even though they know that you are alone in another country, you should take a deep breath, and say: ‘I don't think that attitude or comments are appropriate for the workplace. I would appreciate it if it does not happen again’. Do not be afraid! Be assertive! This situation happened to me, a boss had less pleasant comments and attitude towards me. Always be polite and firm.

Remember that you are in a vulnerable situation, so always tell other colleagues if you feel intimidated by something or someone. Even if you don't know how to identify what's going on, say ‘I don't feel comfortable with that man or in that job position’. Talk to other colleagues, they may feel the same way you do, or even have noticed that actually "that" man has a strange attitude towards you. However, even if no one thinks that, but you feel uncomfortable, just change jobs. Only you know what you feel.

Fortunately, Europe is a place where human rights still work and are respected. As a woman, and alone, I can live in a European country with dignity and respect, even if someone has a "bad attitude". We can always resolve the situation by talking and being polite.

I am particularly grateful to all the Europeans who have fought for the rights and quality of life I enjoy in Europe today. Wherever I have worked, I have always been respected and welcomed. I have always received my salary and have never been short of anything.

I am proud and grateful to be Portuguese and to have the opportunity to travel and work seasonally in other European countries.

I am also grateful to all the women who fought and still fight for me to have my human rights guaranteed. And I thank all the men who supported those women to have a voice.

*With love to Scotland, England, Netherlands and Finland.

It is wonderful to feel that I am not alone.

VERY IMPORTANT

In Europe there is freedom, not debauchery. Democratic States are not States of perversity and ignorance. You have to be discerning and realise that your freedom ends where the freedom of others begins. Don't underestimate democracy and those fighting for it.

When you do your seasonal work, enjoy it and allow yourself to be part of the culture, and the tradition of the other country. 

So remember: IN ROME, BE ROMAN. 

_________________________________________

When you work in another country, take the opportunity to get to know the area, the museums, the gardens; go for a walk, go out to a pub, dance, have fun. And if you work in a hotel, you can ask your colleagues from reception what activities the hotel offers guests so that you can enjoy them too. Having fun is essential. If you don't have fun, you won't hold the job for a long time. You have to relax, and also go to the hotel spa.

Meet people with different backgrounds and mentalities from yours, and avoid creating disunity between colleagues.

Do not take personally certain attitudes from other colleagues. They may not know how to speak the country's language that well, or even English.

You may meet colleagues who are working for the first time, that is, this is their first job.

Don't be hasty in judging people. You will find war refugees, or people who work to send money to their children so they can study at university. There are people who, after a painful divorce, decide to emigrate for a period of time. Don't criticize, and let yourself be part of the world. You will also find educated people who simply wanted to get out of their country and enjoy themselves, learn new things, and save money to travel. There are also people who run away from domestic violence. Or people who have to work because they come from countries with weak economies and countries in debt.

About "respect",

People are at different levels of consciousness!

Don't think that everyone in the world has to respect you. Although I think it's wonderful that people respect each other, it doesn't always happen in the world we live in.

There are many conflicting cultures, upbringings, educations in the world. And people come from different “social classes”, ethnicities, "races" and even people have different personalities, dreams, goals.... Remember that people are at different levels of consciousness! What is totally wrong for you may be accepted by someone else.

If you can't identify with someone, be diplomatic, i.e. Say Good morning and Good afternoon. And say nothing more. Walk away.

It is impossible and unnecessary to be friends with everyone.

Don't be racist or xenophobic with your colleagues or the locals!

If you can't identify with a person or situation. Stay away! It's OK to accept how you feel. Be authentic. Even if people don't understand your attitude. It's not your problem. You don't have to justify your behaviour to anyone. And don't talk badly about the person or the situation to justify why you walked away. It's ugly to speak ill of others.

The aim is to create harmony, not hatred and discord between groups.

Remember that, when you emigrate, you are going to another country to learn, you are not going there to teach anything! No one will pay you to teach anything! You go there to enjoy, learn, socialise with the people from that country, save money, and be happy!

Shut up, listen to what people around you say, observe… how do they behave? How do they dress? How do they communicate with each other? Are they polite to each other or are they arrogant, and rude? When they communicate, do they look at each other in the eye or do they look at the floor? What does their language sound like? Is it harmonious or aggressive? What are their customs? Beliefs? Do they feel some connection with spirituality, or not? Do they practice any kind of cult? What about rights... What human rights are enforced in that country? Are they different from the ones in your country? What about duties? Where do they live? In big cities? In villages, along the coast of the country, or close to the sea? Do they have forests in the country? Are there rare animals? How is their relationship with animals? What do they eat? What music do they listen to? What art do they produce? What is their level of academic education? Are they “clean” people or people who do not value hygiene?

Do people in that country mean what they say? Or do they say one thing and do another? Do they follow schedules?

At what age is it common for people to leave their parents' house? At what age do they start forming a family? How do they treat their senior citizens? Do old people live with their children or do they live in institutions for senior citizens?

How many people live in a family house? How are the houses? Big or small? What materials are the houses made of? Do they like to sing and dance? Do they laugh out loud in the street? Do they express their emotions publicly? How do children live? Do they work, play and/or study? How are children treated? Do women have the same rights as men?

And what about the politics of the country? Are they capitalists or socialists? Is there a president or a king? Is it a dictatorial regime? In terms of physical activities, what can I do here that I've never done before in my life? (For example, mountain climbing, skiing, rowing, surfing, hiking, camping, or having yoga and meditation classes?)

Can I express my opinions publicly in this country or not? Do people vote for the president? Prime Minister? But do people even vote?

When emigrating, try to answer these questions... Would it be good to connect in what is going on around you.

When you emigrate to do a seasonal work, remember: You are brave! You're in this new country to work, learn, and have fun.

RELAX!

If you immigrate and you don’t identify with the country’s culture, you don't want to learn from them and you feel unease with the local tradition and culture, don’t worry, just change country. We were born to be evolve and be happy, not to be angry. Relax!

• On the street: do not throw rubbish on the floor.

• Do not shout or speak loudly publicly. 

Be careful, there are countries, especially in Asia, where you can even go to jail for shouting in the street.

I am very emotional and I show my emotions a lot when I speak. In other countries this is almost considered a "crime".

And It's even culturally “strange” for Nordic people - Northern Europe!

So pay attention to your attitudes. Be careful.

* I don't know how to give you a real example of someone being arrested for shouting in the street in an Asian country, but I think I've heard stories.

Sometimes, in a moment of stress or rebellion against an authority (police, security) ... or an "order" that is demanded of us, when we are in a difficult situation, we tend to speak louder. Don't do that in Asia! And in Scandinavian countries. Remember you are in another country, the rules are different here. If you don't like it, leave for your own safety. Remember that the world is big and there are many rich countries full of natural resources. Think about going to a country you can culturally identify with, it may be easier for you.

About opinions: Freedom of expression! IN EUROPE!

My experience is in European countries, I don't know what it's like to work in other parts of the world. That is why I am talking about freedom of expression! IN EUROPE!

We can evolve a lot with an opinion, or be offended by an opinion.

About feeling offended,

It is normal! Don't stress if you feel offended by an opinion. It means you are human.

(*I often feel offended! Almost all the time.)

What can an opinion be?

It's OK for a person to say: "I don't like Gothic people! In fact, I think the world would be a better place without Gothic people".

Of course, many people might be offended by this opinion! But remember, it's an opinion!

What is not an opinion?

"I don't like Gothic people! In fact, I think the world would be a better place without Gothic people. I think we should all get together and start killing Gothic people.

When we move from an idea to action, THAT IS NOT AN OPINION! and could be DANGEROUS!

Don't be a dangerous person. Be a collaborative person.

"An opinion is an idea about something, and that idea “cannot be translated into action””.

“When it comes to moving from idea to action, it is no longer an opinion.”

ABOUT PAYSLIPS

https://www.google.com/search?q=payslip+meaning&source=hp&ei=4TyfZJWXAuXdxc8PkZ-EqAM&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZJ9K8eMuzeQHIVOc9Yq-2EXhSc-QG9Y1&oq=payslip&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6BwgAEIoFEEM6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOgUILhCABDoHCC4QigUQQzoHCAAQgAQQClAAWK8KYMIYaABwAHgAgAF5iAGfBZIBAzUuMpgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

At the end of the month, ask your boss for a Payslip! and keep the paper.
At the end of each working month, the company gives each employee a payslip, which is "a note given to an employee when he or she has been paid, showing the amount of pay received and the amount of tax and insurance deducted".

Save the papers/emails. It is a proof of your work in that country.

The tax authorities in your country of origin may ask you for details of all the money you receive in another country as an expatriate. Yes! Apparently I have been asked.
Be careful! You don't play with country's finances! Apparently the finances of all countries work with enormous professionalism. Seriously! Nothing escapes! And the fines are very high. If you want to go back to your country, keep your payslips if not, you might have to pay a fine to your country. 

Keep it to yourself

Do your best to preserve your image in society/at work. Don't expose yourself.

If you don't like a work colleague, don't tell everyone you don't like that work colleague. If you are having an affair with a work colleague, don't tell everyone you are having an affair with that work colleague. If you think a colleague is gay, don't go around asking everyone, "Is he gay or isn't he?

Avoid discussing family problems.

Avoid exposing your sadness.

Avoid talking about money, your past achievements, your diplomas, your luxury holidays. Or personal projects, avoid revealing your charity work, be even more sensitive about this, tell only close friends. Or colleagues with whom you identify.

Don't talk, don't show it, just go and do it! Live your life.

Remember you are dealing with people. Stay humble. In other words, don't trust anyone and be assertive!

Never put yourself in a position of receiving a “disciplinary process” at work, or where you have to "call the police".

Unfortunately, at work we have to deal with all kinds of people. If you find yourself working with someone who is very violent or provocative, despise them completely. Walk away. You should do everything in your power to ensure that the police are never called to your workplace or that you are never gonna receive a disciplinary process for your bad behaviour.

If someone provokes you , tell to that person “you will not tolerate disrespect from anyone”. And walk away. Don't speak to the person again. If the person persists, speak to your manager immediately.