First Trip Across the Pond - Any Advice? 3

[kat6787]

Hello Everybody,

Sorry if this is a re-post, I did a search but what I found was mainly about how to find jobs overseas. The job part I already have worked out, it’s the actual moving overseas that I am trying to figure out now. I will be leaving in about 6 weeks to work in my companies Aberdeen office for about a year (I’m currently in the Houston office), and I just wanted to see if anybody had in tips, tricks, hints, must-dos, must-haves (more in terms of clothing than anything else), favorite restaurants, etc. It will be my first trip overseas and more than anything I just don’t want to look like a complete idiot when I get there. Any advice is very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Kat

 

[MikeHalloran]

Aberdeen, Maryland, USA, or
Aberdeen Scotland, UK, or
Aberdeen, NSW, Australia, or ... ?



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JAE]

There is also:

Aberdeen, MS, US
Aberdeen, SD, US
Aberdeen, WA, US
Aberdeen, ID, US
Aberdeen, KY, US
Aberdeen, NC, US
Aberdeen, OH, US
Aberdeen, AR, US
Aberdeen, CA, US

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The term "across the pond" (in the title) is an obvious and very well known reference to the UK. Just as "down-under" is for Australia ... and you can discount all the US locations of Aberdeen because it was stated in the OP that the current location is Houston and the Aberdeen office is overseas.

Sorry kat6787, I've never been to Scotland so can offer have no further help.

 

[csd72]

Mike,

In the US when they talk about across the pond they usually mean europe (or the UK).

kat6787,

The hardest thing in the UK is setting up a bank account. You need to be at your address for a certain amount of time, but you need an account so that you can put your pay in it and afford to live at that same address. See if your current bank has an affiliate in the uk that they can get you an account set up at. Alternatively you may be able to set up an offshore account at the isle of man (which has some tax benefits)

Taxes in the UK are not only higher but are quite complicated. In the first couple of pays you will probably be on whats called emergency tax, it means that you will pay higher tax than normal (but it will be reimbursed at the end of the year).

I assume that you will be working with the offshore oil industry. There are a couple of good websites on this industry if you just google it.

People will dress up a little more at work than they do in the US so take that in mind. Not usually a suit, but not quite casual either.

The pub is the centre of UK social life, people will usually go out for lunch and a pint on friday lunch times (and often after work as well) so the best option to meet people is to get involved in these outings.

Scotland is a gorgeous place, and my favorite region of the UK. In winter you can go skiing in Aviemore, and in summer you can go walking through the highlands. Do a ghost tour in edinburgh along the golden mile and tour the castle. And you should definately try haggis.

You will have a good year.

csd

 

[Heckler]

Also, if you dare to venture into a pub please don't dominate the dart board. Even though I was born and raised in the UK, I lived there a few years of my adult life and really took to darts. It's not that I was verbally rubbing it in but just the fact I was a "Yank" beating the locals at there game.

It's like Americans winning the Tour de France....the French can't take it so they fabricate doping charges. I would like to see a Frenchman win the Tour this year and I bet NO dopping questions will ever be brought to light.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 3.0 & Pro/E 2001
XP Pro SP2.0 P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right." -- George Best

 

[kat6787]

Mike and JAE,
Sorry for the confusion, I guess I could have been more specific with my post. Lets try it one more time:

I am currently in Houston, TX, USA and will be going to the companies Aberdeen, Scotland, UK office to work.


csd,
Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely put you suggestions on my list of things to do. And thanks for the heads up on the bank account.

Cheers,
Kat

 

[valleyboy]

I think you need some advice from Ussuri - I believe he works in this sector.

CALLING USSURI...

 

[BJC]

I have been wanting to go to this for quite a while.

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

Don't eat to many scotch eggs. Some city in Scotlane is the heart attack capitol of the world.

 

[Pud]

You will need also:

Warm outer clothing - must also be waterproof.

Thick woolly socks and a waterproof pair of sturdy boots.

A crash course on getting your liver used to removing large amounts of alcohol from your bloodstream..

A flashlight to find your way around before 10.00 hrs and after 15.00hrs during the winter.

A phrase book would be handy e.g. asking for a "Scotch" will get you a pint of low-hopped dark beer.

csd72: No skiing last season in Scotland - climate change!
You must not have met the "black midges" during your walking - lucky!

In conclusion - Kat, you will have a great time. The Scots are a very welcoming nation.

Cheers


Harry (2 miles South of Hadrians wall - built to keep the Scots out of England!!)

 

[ajack1]

Some really good advice about the bank account. Some other random thoughts, not all electrical goods are compatible, accommodation tends to be much smaller in the UK if you are thinking of bringing over furniture.

Just about everything is more expensive in the UK; especially if you factor in the current exchange rate, bring over what you can. Prepare for a heart attack when you fill up the car with petrol for the first time. You will need to register with a doctor, dentist etc. Walking and public transport are considered normal in the UK.

Flights are incredibly cheap, check out Easyjet and Ryan air when you get over most of Europe is within a 3 hour flight, visit as many countries as possible, even if only for a long weekend.

Take in as much as you can and have a great time, not many people get a chance like this, enjoy it to the full.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

And don't forget to get your passport -- the wait is quite bad I understand.

Get a few Euros at the airport to get you to the city - but exchange real amounts of money at an international bank in town.

Food is kind of dull compared to US - but you will recognize it and like it.... unlike some other countries.

Beer is good and plentiful... ice cubes are NOT.... IF you order a Scotch and want ice cubes and water ... they will think you are from a different planet...

Fish is good and plentiful.

Since they drive on the wrong side of the road - MAKE sure you look RIGHT before crossing the road... actually make sure you look both ways... they drive fast.

Watch your head. Many door ways are hundreds of years old and might be only 5'-8'' or so tall.

Have fun...

 

[ajack1]

Not sure the Euros will help much.

 

[ScottyUK]

If you order Scotch you will probably get ignored! 'Scotch' whisky is 'Malt' if you are drinking decent stuff.

Make sure you get over to the west side of Scotland, especially from Oban northwards toward the Kyle of Lochalsh. It has a beauty all of its own. Check out some of the photography by Colin Prior:

http://www.colinprior.co.uk/colinprior.storefront/46928cfb0fd31990273fc0a801a50706/Catalog/Scotland

The Scottish winter can be ferocious. The summers can be glorious. Scots midges, especially those in the north west, are the most aggressive on the planet and are not merely immune to all chemical insect repellants, they actively enjoy insect repellant!


----------------------------------

Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[corus]

You probably will look a complete idiot when you get there but people are generally understanding and helpful the further north you get in the country, and you can't get much further than Aberdeen. People will tend to make fun of you but don't take offence as it's usually a sign that you're liked. When they make fun of you behind your back you'll have problems, but maybe that's true the world over. Don't respond by making comments about british teeth though as that's considered nasty, and besides we don't have many. Be ready for people asking if you'd like to go haggis hunting and the like. It's considered good fun with foreigners who are ignorant of these things. Also be ready for people who make self-depreciation jokes about themselves. It's sort of british humour. You'll get used to it.

corus

 

[Ashereng]

If you have never seen it, the Edinburgh Tattoo is pretty neat.

If you don't like bag pipes, then ixnay the attootay.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[GregLocock]

Buy thermal underwear, and be prepared to wear it for 3 months of the year. Always carry a waterproof. And as for the midges...

Scotland's a great place, have fun.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[casseopeia]

I have friends who swear by the Culture Shock book series.
You can get a used one for Scotland for $2 at Amazon. Can't go wrong with that price.

http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Shock-Scotland-Guides/dp/155868607X

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[GregLocock]

Figure on spending at least 1 pound for every dollar you'd usually spend in a restaurant.

On the other hand the wine and beer is cheap!

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[GregLamberson]

Rule of thumb for the travelling part is to dress & sleep for where you're going, not where you are. I never have a problem with jet lag by following that simple piece of advice.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com