America is the greatest country in the world!* But sometimes it's good to have a list of back-up countries that offer things like basic healthcare without resulting in bankruptcy.
Australia
The land down under; where white sandy beaches meet deadly jellyfish. The American to Australia pipeline is so real that I already have two friends moving there this year. Australia is one of the most accessible countries for Americans because the holiday working visa process is quite simple. To apply, you must be under 35, and have approximately $422 for the application. Once approved, the visa is good for at least a year, with an option to extend. If you choose to extend, you need to complete some mandatory “farm work” for 90 days in a remote area of Australia. This doesn't sound fun, but we might be better off in the outback with the spiders than under Trump’s reign.
Canada
Our friendly neighbors (might?) want to take us in with open arms. I don’t know much about Canada or anyone personally that has immigrated to Canada, but I do have two Canadian friends and they are really cool. Again, your easiest option here would probably be to apply for a graduate program, but you can also apply for a work visa. To apply for the work visa, go to the official Canadian Immigration and Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. I assume assimilation would probably be the easiest in this case, but I am scared of the cold weather so this would be my last resort.
Spain
One of my favorite countries in the world, Viva la España! To live and work in Spain, there are a few options for Americans. The first and most accessible option is to teach English as an auxiliar de conversacion. This is a popular option because you are guaranteed a job for at least 10 months, but there is little freedom in terms of the region you're placed to work in, and the pay is low. Another option is to become a student at an English-speaking university in one of the major cities like Barcelona or Madrid—it wouldn't be your 20s without considering going to grad school. The last option is to apply for their “digital nomad visa.” Before applying, you must be working remotely or self-employed for at least 3 months prior to applying. You also must make at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage which equals approximately $3,180.54 USD monthly.
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