My Country Holding Me Back
Hope everyone's doing well
So basically, starting with some context/background info. I'm a Pakistani passport holder who's lived his whole life in the Gulf (Saudi to be specific). I went to an International school in the capital, graduated, and went to Canada on a student visa for an engineering degree. After finishing off my first 2 years (with very good grades) I decided this isn't what I wanted to continue studying, and before splashing another +100k I made the decision to take a gap year and go back to Saudi to be with my family and figure things out.
Aviation, something I've had an interest and passion for, wasn't something that I ever took seriously when considering a career, until now. I've really been looking into it, talking to everyone and anyone I know who has any relations at all to the aviation world and its only really gotten me even more interested (an understatement might I add).
Here is where I've gotten confused. Ok so money isn't a problem in this situation. I'm very grateful that I have all the means necessary to go abroad or locally for my licenses. (0 flight experience) to most academies/schools. I haven't had too many problems in looking into schools (right now I have my eyes set on Paris Air in Florida and AELO in Switzerland). The problems as I'm sure you've already guessed arise with my passport. After I graduate, get as many licenses as possible, I'll have nowhere to go. My validity in Saudi will have ended by the time I graduate, and anyway gulf airlines only hire experienced pilots. I won't be able to work in the states seeing as I'd be an international student. From what I've read about Europe, the market is extremely saturated and no airline would take a foreigner (let alone a Pakistani considering our aviation reputation) when they have hundreds of their own lined up with the same if not better qualifications. Now my end goal is definitely to make it back to a gulf country, so I'm willing to get my hours however or wherever. I would easily consider Pakistan because in terms of living, I live in a very good area and commuting isn't an issue, the only problem is getting an Airline job here without going through the airforce, and without being willing to bribe your way through, is more or less impossible (and the wages are almost disgustingly low). so that's like the worst option of them all.
TLDR:
I can study and get my licenses anywhere no problemo, but my citizenship is Pakistani and I can't work there. Can't work in the states, and apparently Europe is unlikely even if i go to an academy in either place.
Piloting is something i REALLY want to do and I still am looking at all options and talking to people i know, i just wanted to get the opinions of even more people on here cos well, you never know.
PS: before anyone mentions it, yes i know its easier said than done, and yes i do come from a line of pilots but cant go to my father for help since he is no longer with us and the time he got his career on track was a very different time from now and the PIA was actually respected.