Sara Scafuro – Contributor

For decades, the “dream” for young professionals meant climbing the corporate ladder in Toronto, Montreal or New York. Long hours, competitive salaries and the hustle culture mentality were almost badges of honour. But recently, something has shifted.

More and more young professionals are looking across the Atlantic and asking a different question: What if success doesn’t have to mean burnout?

Welcome to the European dream.

Image courtesy of Gabrielle Lalonde

The work-life balance factor

One of the biggest reasons Europe is gaining attention is simple: work-life balance.

In many European countries, the standard workweek is shorter than in North America. Countries like France legally cap the workweek at 35 hours. Paid vacation time is not a luxury, it’s mandatory. Four to six weeks of paid holiday per year is common.

Compare that to Canada, where many entry-level professionals receive two weeks of vacation and often feel pressure to “prove themselves” by staying late.

For students entering competitive industries like business, marketing, finance and consulting, this difference matters.

Wages vs. lifestyle

It’s true that salaries in Europe can sometimes be lower than in major North American cities. However, the conversation is shifting from “How much do you earn?” to “How much do you keep and how do you live?”

In many European countries, healthcare is universal, public transportation is efficient and urban design reduces the need for cars. While taxes may be higher in certain parts of Europe, out-of-pocket expenses for essentials are often lower. The result? A different financial trade-off.

Young professionals are starting to prioritize stability, public services and lifestyle over maximizing salary alone. The appeal isn’t just about money, it’s about quality of life.

Mobility and global experience

Europe also offers something incredibly attractive to young professionals: proximity.

With dozens of countries connected by short flights and high-speed trains, living in Europe often means weekend trips to other cities and cultures. 

International experience signals adaptability, cultural awareness and independence, all qualities employers value. In an increasingly global economy, understanding multiple markets isn’t just interesting, it’s strategic.

For students who are already thinking about international internships or graduate programs abroad, Europe feels accessible and exciting.

The burnout generation is rethinking success

Gen Z is entering the workforce with different priorities than previous generations. After watching older generations face burnout, rising housing costs, and economic instability, young professionals are questioning the traditional “grind now, live later” model.

The pandemic accelerated this mindset shift. Remote work proved that productivity doesn’t require constant physical presence. It also forced many people to reevaluate what actually matters.

For Bishop’s students preparing to graduate, the definition of success is less about status and more about sustainability. A balanced life, meaningful work and personal fulfillment are no longer secondary goals, they are central.

Europe, with its labour protections and cultural emphasis on leisure, aligns with that shift.

It’s not just a fantasy

Of course, moving abroad comes with challenges. Visa processes, language barriers and competitive job markets are real obstacles.

However, the growing interest among students suggests something important: young professionals are thinking globally. They are not limiting their ambitions to one country or one system.

For Bishop’s students studying business, marketing, economics or international relations, Europe represents opportunity, not just geographically, but ideologically. It represents a different way of structuring work and life.

The bigger question

The real reason Europe is becoming the new dream may not be about geography at all. It may be about values.

Young professionals are redefining what ambition looks like. They are asking whether high salaries are worth high stress. Whether there are alternative systems that better support long-term happiness. For many, Europe symbolizes that alternative.

The growing interest to move abroad signals a shift in priorities. The next generation of professionals isn’t just chasing opportunity, they’re chasing balance.