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Visiting the World, as a Geek?

Posted by Cliff on from the globe-trotting dept.

Han Onymous asks: "In nine months my contract as a research assistent at my Alma Mater will come to an end. It will not be renewed, I don't want it to be anyway. But outside the economy is too ill to welcome me. I am young. I am healthy. And I want to see the world before I've got the wife and the kids and the double mortgage. I have no money saved, and I don't plan to save some until then. What can a skillful geek (electrical, electronical and software engineer, speaks three languages fluently) like me do to see the world. Volunteer ? Working for a multinational with exchange programs? Something with no connection at all to the tech world? Please share your experience."

9 of 624 comments (clear)

  1. Peace Corp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Join the peace corps.

    1. Re:Peace Corp by Otisserie · · Score: 5, Informative

      I taught computer science in Africa in 1981 with the Peace Corps. Probably one of the first volunteers to do it. I had a great time, but every Peace Corps situation is completely different; there's a lot of luck involved. Peace Corps does have a number of things going for it: 1) medical care and a good connection to the US Embassy, if things get messy; 2) a readjustment allowance that I believe is about $225 for every month you spend abroad (this is over and above your living stipend); 3) non-competitive eligibility for civil service jobs if you complete your service; 4) an actual reason to be in the country you're in, you're not just a tourist; 5) student loan deferrment; 6) I found that both employers and grad schools respected Peace Corps service; I'm convinced it helped me get into grad school. Your mileage may vary, but all told I'm very glad I did it.

      --
      Build a man a fire and he will be warm for a night; set him on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life.
    2. Re:Peace Corp by kasparov · · Score: 5, Informative
      As someone who spent 30 days in solitary confinement for disobeying orders in the Marine Corps (mainly because I am a stubborn geek who isn't good a taking orders that I disagree with--yes I know it was a really bad idea to enlist in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman if I can't take orders...the recruiter called on a particularly interesting day in my life--we'll call it a "learning experience"), I can attest that taking the "ultimate step" and disobeying orders can be a very unpleasant experience. One's rights under the UCMJ are significantly less than one's rights under the US Constitution.

      In regards to the job analogy, you don't get sent to jail for deciding to quit your civilian job.

      --
      There's no place I can be, since I found Serenity.
  2. Try This: by Geminatron · · Score: 5, Informative

    You're looking for "Engineers Without Borders":
    here a few of their addresses:

    http://ewob.colorado.edu
    EWOB USA

    http://www.ewb-isf.org
    EWB CANADA

    http://www.isf-france.org
    EWB France = Ingénieurs sans Frontières (ISF)

    There are lots of other local and national EWB groups, a google search should find em.

  3. NGO's that want geeks. by kapurp · · Score: 5, Informative

    Try geek corps or Engineers without borders or if you're Canadian you can apply to Net Corps.

  4. Articles on the topic by Teribaen · · Score: 5, Informative
    There's an ongoing series of articles at kuro5hin on this exact topic.

    first part second part

  5. Right on! by rocjoe71 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Go for it, you'll have a blast, I know I did... One of the best options going would be work visas-- Alot of European countries are chomping-at-the-bit for skilled people.

    I lived and worked in London for four years, 3 years in various levels of IT for various IT departments all around the city. For those that had the experience, contracting rates could go as high as 1000 Pounds/day (mainframe programmer). Americans can get a 1-year work visa, countries in the Commonwealth get 2 years or more if your parents or grandparents were British citizens.

    For up to date details go to or write to your nearest British consulate or embassy.

    The are lots of other countries that offer work visas as well, look in the travel section of your bookstore for ideas on working overseas, they'll have names and addresses to contact.

    --
    Height: 38U, Weight: 0 Newtons, Eyes: #0000FF, OS: Gray Matter 1.0 (Alpha)
  6. Re:Yes, you are being cynical by Ian+Peon · · Score: 5, Informative

    I spent 4 years in the Navy, 3 of them living on a ship.

    On the ship, we visited Alcupulco, Panama, Hong Kong, Singapore, India (forget the port name), Newcastle and Freemantle (Australia), Abu Dhabi and Dhubi (United Arab Emirates), Oman (again forget the port name) and several US ports.

    Most dangerous port I've been to: San Diego - where we had one of our guys shot at a night club, and a couple others mugged.

    --
    Never never never smoke crack before geometry class!
  7. Peace Corps by jefu · · Score: 5, Informative


    I did the peace corps thing after college. And I'd recommend it highly. If you have the chance, jump at it. You'll see and do things you'd probably never encounter otherwise and you'll learn a lot. Some employers will discount it as will some grad schools - but others will look on it as a big plus.