>Remember to check out local work culture.(Americans stick out like a sore thumb in many western European work social situations)
Care to elaborate a bit? I'm an American working at a large US University with a very diverse community. I've daydreamed about moving to western Europe, so I'd like to hear what the work social situations you're referring to are.
Depends where you want to move to. Diversity has really nothing to do with it.
I work in a very diverse workplace, but many European countries have strong cultural norms for the workplace.
As an example - corporate events in Europe rarely include a +1. That confused all of my American colleagues, that are used to having their spouses join. Making friendships with people at work requires more than just "we work together".
In England having a pint after work on Thursday or Friday is basically a team building event. You better join in, or you'll stop being invited.(Drinking isn't mandatory, though)
In France - lunch time is not work time, so don't talk about work.
Care to elaborate a bit? I'm an American working at a large US University with a very diverse community. I've daydreamed about moving to western Europe, so I'd like to hear what the work social situations you're referring to are.