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Comment by Grustaf | Hacker News Reader

I agree with your points, just want to add: The best way to connect with the culture and people is to get a local job, or studying at a local university or at least taking courses.

EDIT:

Basically become an immigrant, even if it's only for a couple of months. Ideally don't plan your return, make your journeys open ended!

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In some countries, such as Costa Rica, you cannot work legally (note: "legally") as a non-resident. They take it pretty seriously there.

isn't it like most countries? there's always some kind of work permit you need to have

Getting an office job in an unknown country for a couple of months sounds so weird and alien and awesome

I wouldn't get an office job, I have worked in restaurants and similar, those colleagues are way more fun. Could be fun to try being a salaryman, but it's probably much harder, need work permits etc.

For that matter, I wouldn't get one here either, if I could earn the same as I do know as a sous chef I'd quit in a heartbeat...

I used to work for a company based outside the US, but with a significant US presence. A colleague embedded in another team in the foreign office for three months and ended extending it to four. Probably the easiest way to do it because the company sorted out visa issues (or if he kept it to 89 days, he'd just be traveling for business), and he had a job on both ends of it.

I have a question to people saying "get a local job"

What kind of jobs do you mean? Doesn't it look suspicious for a middle aged guy who looks from a different part of the world trying to get a job he clearly does not need?

To clarify, I don't feel above any job, when I first emigrated 12 years ago I was cleaning toilets and working construction, but I had no qualifications and I didnt meet anyone fun. I am also a TERRIBLE waiter.

I’m thinking of restaurant work and similar.

I don’t think you need to worry about that, in more exotic locations you will be so out of place anyway and they will have no way to judge if you’re rich or poor. And in any case people generally don’t care that much about others.

And even when they do, just accept it, it’s pretty unlikely anyone will resent you.

> Doesn't it look suspicious for a middle-aged guy who looks to be from a different part of the world trying to get a job he clearly does not need?

Not at all. If you can find a company which needs or wants an employee like you, whether it's due to your language and cultural background, or because of other skills which you possess, generally they'll just be really happy that they found you.

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