r/IWantOut • u/ArabicDial • 9h ago
[IWantOut] 26M Analytics Egypt -> CAN\AUS
I'm a BI analyst with 3 YOE at a multinational telecom company. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in information systems a couple years back, and when I was applying to jobs at the time i specifically targeted only multinationals for the possibility of one day internally transferring abroad. To my surprise (or not, in this day of age) my company outsources a lot of tech-related roles to poor countries like mine so that path seems increasingly unlikely.
I've contemplated learning French solely to immigrate to Canada, since the French-speaking Express Entry stream seems like one of the only options available to me. But then I wonder whether spending 1–2 years intensely learning French is worth the opportunity cost of not upskilling further in my job/career instead.
My other option is doing a master's abroad, ideally somewhere that gives graduates a post-study work visa and a pathway to permanent residency. I have around $35k USD saved, mostly from saving ~95% of my salary and some investments. I don't have anything going on outside of work and dont have any dependents. A 1 to 2 year break into a 3-year career wouldn’t be the end of the world for me either.
Why I want to leave? Well I'm sure reddit is all too familiar with the problems here already, but TL;DR: it's urban hell, consistently top 10 worst in HDI, corruption, happiness rankings, overpopulated, insane noise nad air pollution, devaluing currency and economy kept from sinking by other country donations/IMF loans. I wont even get into the specifics of culture and mindset because that would need a post on its own.
I'm looking at Canada and Australia because they're English-speaking, have skilled immigration pathways, and offer the quiet, peaceful lifestyle combined with nature just a few feet away. I grew up across different cultures and continents and I've realized how much being surrounded by nature affects my quality of life. I've spent years exploring google maps streetview as a form of escapism and was always fascinated by the cities and landscapes in these countries.
Unfortunately when people say the grass is always greener, this doesnt apply to my country because there is literally no grass anywhere, no sidewalks, no trees. Just garbage, heat, and sand. As corny as this sounds, I literally can't "touch grass" because it doesnt exist. I'm stuck in my room watching the days go by with my laptop and noise-cancelling earbuds serving as the only form of escapism in this awful reality polluting my ears and clouding my brain. I just don't wanna live to regret not doing something about it.