The top 10 Highest paid Rugby Players in the world

[FrenchFan]

Gaston you should get royalties from the Ministry du Tourisme, they could get a brochure out of your post. Of course the foreigners are only here for the money. What else?

They have no life outside of rugby here. We don't really let them have one. They put their kids and wives thru hell jus for a big pay check. Their kids don't go to school, wife can't go out (with terrorists lurking in every supermaket how could they). In Toulouse all our foreigners must be tagged.

It's astonishing why so many Brits own a house over here. I too would love to own a holiday home in Syria.
Imagine surviving in Paris on +500 K euros a year, how tough the life of a true mercenary. And they have to lie thru their teeth in the media about how great the league is or else...they will be elligible to play for FFR.

I suppose they can't wait to go back to Ireland wrapped up in cotton wool by IRFU.

 

[big ginger 8]

Gaston you should get royalties from the Ministry du Tourisme, they could get a brochure out of your post. Of course the foreigners are only here for the money. What else?

They have no life outside of rugby here. We don't really let them have one. They put their kids and wives thru hell jus for a big pay check. Their kids don't go to school, wife can go out (with terrorists lurking in every supermaket how could they). In Toulouse all our foreigners must be tagged.

It's astonishing why so many Brits own a house over here. I too would love to own a holiday home in Syria.
Imagine surviving in Paris on +500 K euros a year, how tough the life of a true mercenary. And they have to lie thru their teeth in the media about how great the league is or else...they will be elligible to play for FFR.

I suppose they can't wait to go back to Austerity Ireland wrapped up in cotton wool by IRFU.

Yes because of all the countries 'Austerity Ireland' is the one with so many players playing in France.

 

[ENZED-88]

Oh, god, here we go.... the crying Kiwis can't just have a great competition it has to be THE best and the toughest.

Crying kiwi bro not kiwi's, I don't see any other kiwi but me crying on this thread.

- - - Updated - - -

Just on Gaston's point, I find it very hard to believe that's why every player plays in France. I'm sure it's the reason for a few, Giteau, Wilkinson and the Armitage brothers come to mind, but there are players who are playing in France for no other reason than the money and just because they don't say that in interviews mean incredibly little. Not everyone is suited to the French lifestyle, Sexton and ROG hate it from what I've heard. Players move to France for a whole number of reasons and I'd be shocked if money was not the most common.

I'm sure Gaston in to something when it comes to NZ players, i know personally how boring the place gets. A French experience would ALMOST be as good as the coin you would earn

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So many French people live in London and Dublin, why is it that none of them are rugby players? Surely it can't be that only players from outside France would leave home, give up chances to play for their country to play for, in many cases, worse teams in a foreign land! Actually scratch that nowhere else eats snails and have as high a concentration of fat men uglier then sin wearing speedos. Soz

 

[goodNumber10]

Crying kiwi bro not kiwi's, I don't see any other kiwi but me crying on this thread.

i'm just messing mate, i don't mean anything by it...

- - - Updated - - -

else eats snails and have as high a concentration of fat men uglier then sin wearing speedos. Soz

With super hot girlfriends (and Wives)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

i'm just messing mate, i don't mean anything by it...

- - - Updated - - -



With super hot girlfriends (and Wives)

Coming from the guy living in Paris married to a Dutch girl!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

So many French people live in London and Dublin, why is it that none of them are rugby players? Surely it can't be that only players from outside France would leave home, give up chances to play for their country to play for, in many cases, worse teams in a foreign land! Actually scratch that nowhere else eats snails and have as high a concentration of fat men uglier then sin wearing speedos. Soz

SO IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE OBSENITIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is always the problem but at least now we can work out the formula of the concentration span of a cmac95 = not quite 2 pages of a French related thread, NOT A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goodNumber10]

Coming from the guy living in Paris married to a Dutch girl!!!

i've also got an awesome pair of speedos..... (you aren't allowed to wear anything else int he public swimming pool, hence everyone wears them - practical reason not posing).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

SO IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE OBSENITIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is always the problem but at least now we can work out the formula of the concentration span of a cmac95 = not quite 2 pages of a French related thread, NOT A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It started at "Austerity Ireland" if you ask me which holds far more malice and ignorance than what I said but stick to your own script, I wouldn't want to lead you away from a habit you hold so dear.

 

[Groundhog]

SO IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE OBSENITIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is always the problem but at least now we can work out the formula of the concentration span of a cmac95 = not quite 2 pages of a French related thread, NOT A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes cmac with a light joke, which you clearly can't take lowered the tone of the conversation........

Austerity Ireland

Speaking of attention spans, it usually takes one imagined criticism of France for you boys to get the speedos in a twist and fly off the handle, with your...... exclamation points and stuff.
Anyway, I'm actually interested by the list and am not particularly suprised at the list bar one. I have absolutely no idea ho a guy like Burgess, who is an excellent athlete and a real pro, but a total unkonwn quantity at Union merited a salary putting him as the fourth highest paid player in rugby. I can't see him ever being worth that. Halfpenny is definately overpaid too in my opinion. For the most part you get what you paid for with the rest of them

 

[FrenchFan]

I have removed the offending word, dont want you getting all upset.

 

[Jbobo]

What's interesting to me is that it's all players that plays in the NH. It paints a picture of the difference of the SH players. If they play in SH, they play for passion and pride of their nation, if they play NH, it's for the money.

The biggest load of tosh i have read today.

I think it was reported he's on £300k at Gloucester (or was that Hibbard?)


Little surprised that Roberts is on there! Though I guess when he moved he had very high stock. Bet RM aren't happy with their investment :lol:

He's been in tremendous form for Wales this year. Do you even watch Racing Metro play?

 

[Thingimubob]

He's been in tremendous form for Wales this year. Do you even watch Racing Metro play?

He's been outstanding for Wales, but not too sure he's lived up to his potential at Racing Metro! Can't say I've watched too many games, but seems like maybe the club isn;t the right fit for him.

What's interesting to me is that it's all players that plays in the NH. It paints a picture of the difference of the SH players. If they play in SH, they play for passion and pride of their nation, if they play NH, it's for the money.

Not sure how accurate this is? Money is obviously a factor, and a big one at that considering how short players' careers can be be these days! But as others have pointed out, there are a fair few of your countrymen managing to play NH rugby and represent SA with plenty of pride and passion!

Also since literally 90% is French league, doesn't mean the entirety of the NH!

 

[Rich Taff]

The biggest load of tosh i have read today.

Ditto, and I've read football reports.

He's been in tremendous form for Wales this year. Do you even watch Racing Metro play?

Obviously not, as rugby doesnt exist outside the Southern Hemisphere for some people.

 

[ENZED-88]

He's been outstanding for Wales, but not too sure he's lived up to his potential at Racing Metro! Can't say I've watched too many games, but seems like maybe the club isn;t the right fit for him.




Not sure how accurate this is? Money is obviously a factor, and a big one at that considering how short players' careers can be be these days! But as others have pointed out, there are a fair few of your countrymen managing to play NH rugby and represent SA with plenty of pride and passion!

Also since literally 90% is French league, doesn't mean the entirety of the NH!

What kind of money are the top players who play locally on? I know it probably wouldn't be near top 14 but roughly what salary are they on?

 

[Thingimubob]

What kind of money are the top players who play locally on? I know it probably wouldn't be near top 14 but roughly what salary are they on?

As in those that play in Wales? Can't say I've seen all that many exact figures, and no idea how the recent introductions of dual contracts between the regions and the WRU have changed things.

Basically the regions run a salary cap of £3.5 million, which isnt much compared to the £8.6 million for the Top 14 and £5 million in the Aviva Premiership (Lots of unconfirmed rumours that teams don't stick to it). The other Pro 12 sides don't run a cap as far as I know, and I definitely remember someone from the Ospreys set up stating that the Italian teams had more money to recruit players with than them.

I do know that Warburton's old contract with the Blues had him on £200,000 or so, which went up to £270,000 when he signed his central contract with the WRU.
As he is a Wales / Lions captain, can't imagine that there's anyone on significantly more than him in Wales.

On the other end of the spectrum, I do know that back when Cuthbert was helping Wales win the grandslam back in 2012, he was getting paid £5,000 a year by the Blues on a development contract, with an extra £14,000 subsidised by the Wales 7s programme.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's been in tremendous form for Wales this year. Do you even watch Racing Metro play?

Yes, I do actually :huh:

Roberts doesn't really play all that much, and when he does he's not that great. This has nothing to do with his international for, it's solely to do with him getting one of the top 10 highest salaries, and RM not really getting the benefit of it.

 

[LittleGuy]

Here we go again this time it's the Saffa theory, what amazes me is that you guys knows absolutely everything about the lives of the highest paid players who are obviously all in the TOP 14. these guys bring their wives /partners and children to a country where they can not speak the language know little about the culture and come purely for the money.
You have obviously never listened to interviews by these players, (we are not even going to mention why the foreign coaches are here)!!!!! where they give the real reasons why they are here, one of them being the TOP 14 is the toughest Championship in the world and they want to challenge themselves against the best, this is quoted by them not me!!!!!!!! No one never said the money was not important, but it is by far out weighed by other critera.the way of life, the medical system, training facilities, schooling for their kids the beaches and sea if you happen to play for a team in the south, the magic of Paris when there are no terrorists about!!!!, the diferent sports available for all the family, sking some of the best in the world,the water sports that are available, some of the best cuisine and wine in the world, the country side which is equal to anywhere else around the globe, hunting of all different types, not a load of people on horseback running after a rag with fox pooh on it!!!!!! If you are going to critise the French system do it intelligently and state with info why they are just coming for the money, state interviews where this has been said, not just, BURRR they are here for the money !!!!!!!! Ask yourself this why are people always moving to France especially the Brits and have been doing this for years, the answer you will probably here is............ THE LIFE STYLE!!!!!! I own a Gite and have had many South Africans coming here for all the above reasons!!!!! I know i will probably be dealt with harshly but i have broad shoulders, i also live in France, and have done for a long time, and know absolotely why these players do what they do, i speak to pro rugby players every week 2/3 times a week, interview said players, organise press interviews for these players, especially in Montpellier, so i do know just a little about this subject, but i do bow to your superior knowledge Sir Heinken, you have obviously lived in France been attached to a Pro French rugby club as if not you would never have made such a ridiculous statement.
JE SUIS CHARLIE.......

Stands up......applauds post.

These anti French club rugby threads are getting so old and tiresome. Pretty much every general thread on this kind of subject turns into some sort of nationalist(Denial about how nice France is most often) or socialist whinge(How dare players make money!! During the middle of the match they must start caring less than players making peanuts in the SH!) from fans butthurt their players are leaving for greener pastures.

For the record to make it seem like I'm not singling out this fanbase I do occasionally see this in Canadian gridiron when a player leaves to play in the NFL and it's just as silly in that case, the same arguments get trotted out("CFL players have more passion", "Winnipeg is just as nice as San Diego" et.al.)

 

[nickdnz]

I think LG what people find most farcical is that many French posters insist that money is not the primary reason behind a move - and it is instead the fact that France as a place to live is better and has the best competition. It simply ignores the largest factor, which is that players see France as a chance to make a huge amount of money during a limited career span. I absolutely understand their motivations and I can't hold it against anyone. For that matter I'm sure France is a great place to live (I intend to be living in Germany and traveling around France later this year). But the argument that people uproot their families and leave their national teams because they enjoy the lifestyle more than back home - from people I largely suspect haven't spent any time in those countries to make the favorable comparison, is just arrogance. The title of the thread is which players earn the most money - 9/10 are French. I think it would be unreasonable to suspect this wouldn't come up.

French posters mention the education system - well in almost all studies including PISA NZ and Australia are ranked significantly higher than France. Both NZ and Australia have relatively free health care. NZ's and Australia's training facilities have produced many of the top players in the world which is why the are continually greater than France. Again, I just came back from Australia and their beaches are phenomenal, plenty of nice beaches in New Zealand. NZ has great skiing, the scenery around Australia and New Zealand is brilliant, which is why natural tourism is one of our largest industries. My point being - money is clearly the #1 factor behind players going over seas. I'm sure many players want to experience new cultures as well. But there is a reason that players aren't experiencing the cultures of Germany, Netherlands or anywhere else that isn't offering a tonne more money than they could earn back at home. Again I have NO problem with players going to play in the Top 14, I'm sure they enjoy the change of lifestyle etc, but you have to have a head very far up your own arse to not see that these players by in large are going where the money is.

 

[ENZED-88]

As in those that play in Wales? Can't say I've seen all that many exact figures, and no idea how the recent introductions of dual contracts between the regions and the WRU have changed things.

Basically the regions run a salary cap of £3.5 million, which isnt much compared to the £8.6 million for the Top 14 and £5 million in the Aviva Premiership (Lots of unconfirmed rumours that teams don't stick to it). The other Pro 12 sides don't run a cap as far as I know, and I definitely remember someone from the Ospreys set up stating that the Italian teams had more money to recruit players with than them.

I do know that Warburton's old contract with the Blues had him on £200,000 or so, which went up to £270,000 when he signed his central contract with the WRU.
As he is a Wales / Lions captain, can't imagine that there's anyone on significantly more than him in Wales.

On the other end of the spectrum, I do know that back when Cuthbert was helping Wales win the grandslam back in 2012, he was getting paid £5,000 a year by the Blues on a development contract, with an extra £14,000 subsidised by the Wales 7s programme.

3.5 mil salary cap!! That's way more than I expected that's well over 6 mil aussie dollars. Do the regions generally spend the 3.5?

 

[gaston le gaff]

I think LG what people find most farcical is that many French posters insist that money is not the primary reason behind a move - and it is instead the fact that France as a place to live is better and has the best competition. It simply ignores the largest factor, which is that players see France as a chance to make a huge amount of money during a limited career span. I absolutely understand their motivations and I can't hold it against anyone. For that matter I'm sure France is a great place to live (I intend to be living in Germany and traveling around France later this year). But the argument that people uproot their families and leave their national teams because they enjoy the lifestyle more than back home - from people I largely suspect haven't spent any time in those countries to make the favorable comparison, is just arrogance. The title of the thread is which players earn the most money - 9/10 are French. I think it would be unreasonable to suspect this wouldn't come up. French posters mention the education system - well in almost all studies including PISA NZ and Australia are ranked significantly higher than France. Both NZ and Australia have relatively free health care. NZ's and Australia's training facilities have produced many of the top players in the world which is why the are continually greater than France. Again, I just came back from Australia and their beaches are phenomenal, plenty of nice beaches in New Zealand. NZ has great skiing, the scenery around Australia and New Zealand is brilliant, which is why natural tourism is one of our largest industries. My point being - money is clearly the #1 factor behind players going over seas. I'm sure many players want to experience new cultures as well. But there is a reason that players aren't experiencing the cultures of Germany, Netherlands or anywhere else that isn't offering a tonne more money than they could earn back at home. Again I have NO problem with players going to play in the Top 14, I'm sure they enjoy the change of lifestyle etc, but you have to have a head very far up your own arse to not see that these players by in large are going where the money is.

Most of your quotes have been stated are against what i said in my thread, so if i am to believe what you say i am walking around town with my head up my arse, another fu***** kiwi who knows everything about nothing you really make me LAUGH you sit on your little island and throw abuse about another country you know absolutely nothing about, yes they come to earn money everybody everywhere does that, but other attractions are there, there are so many factors that make the decision easy, and the rugby is far better at club level we do not need Francises to produce world class club rugby AND WE PAY GOOD SALARIES but i think that you know this already, at least i have been to New Zealand, Australia, South Africa so i have experience, and as far as Germany Netherlands or any where else, do they have club rugby championships of World best standards like the TOP 14 I DONT THINK SO !!!!!!!!!!! If you read the thread you may (although i doubt it) realise that money was a factor but not the only factor you and many others are so blinded by this money situation maybe you should take your own head out of your arse and see what really is going on, it could be very educational for you but i have my doubts. HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nickdnz]

Most of your quotes have been stated are against what i said in my thread, so if i am to believe what you say i am walking around town with my head up my arse, another fu***** kiwi who knows everything about nothing you really make me LAUGH you sit on your little island and throw abuse about another country you know absolutely nothing about, yes they come to earn money everybody everywhere does that, but other attractions are there, there are so many factors that make the decision easy, and the rugby is far better at club level we do not need Francises to produce world class club rugby AND WE PAY GOOD SALARIES but i think that you know this already, at least i have been to New Zealand, Australia, South Africa so i have experience, and as far as Germany Netherlands or any where else, do they have club rugby championships of World best standards like the TOP 14 I DONT THINK SO !!!!!!!!!!! If you read the thread you may (although i doubt it) realise that money was a factor but not the only factor you and many others are so blinded by this money situation maybe you should take your own head out of your arse and see what really is going on, it could be very educational for you but i have my doubts. HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of interest when you interview these players, I have to assume it's not for some kind of publication. You're interminable to have to read. Where did I throw abuse at France? Quote me. I even mentioned I intended to visit France later this year. As I stated if you actually bothered to read my post - I said I'm sure there were more factors than money, it just happens to be the biggest factor .You haven't convinced me otherwise and nor have I stated that money being a big factor is a bad thing. I disagree that the Top 14 is a better quality of competition than Super Rugby. It's longer and has more money. That's about it. Much of it is turgid and away games are basically uncontested at times (and I watch plenty of it having followed Toulon, Bayonne, Clermont, Toulouse and before they were relegated Biarritz - depending whoever had players I was interested in, and what games were offered to stream).

Anyway, don't bother replying as I can't be bothered to read another terribly punctuated diatribe about how great France is.

 

[JayBlaze]

Lol @ thinking the players move their for anything but money. Most of the NZ players who move to France, move straight back to NZ once their contracts end or retire.

 

[Thingimubob]

3.5 mil salary cap!! That's way more than I expected that's well over 6 mil aussie dollars. Do the regions generally spend the 3.5?

It's really not that much, especially when you compare it to whats available over the border in England and across the channel in France.

When the cap was introduced back in 2012 it covered the 38 man squad that the Regions name for whatever European competition that they will be playing in - as far as I know this hasn't changed.

This works out as an average of just about £92,000 a year for each player. Naturally not every player would be paid the same, so if we assume that Warburton was on more or less the top end of the salaries at £200,000 a year, then there'd be a fair few players on significantly lower than that average figure.

I read that the "cap average salary" for the Aussie Super 15 teams is $137,000AU - so £73,700 or so. A good £20,000 less than the average for the regions, but that's still not a huge amount in today's pro sport terms - especially when you look at some of those Top 14 figures!

You just have to look at the Ospreys' recruitment strategy now compared to 6 or so years ago to see that the Regions simply can't compete with salaries outside of Wales. They used to field a team full of the top Welsh stars (Shane Williams, Henson, Phillips, Byrne, Hook, Wyn-Jones etc.), with a healthy number of ex-AB's `(Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall etc.) as well as the odd big name NH international (Tommy Bowe) - I'd imagine that all of them were earning quite a decent wage back then!

Now, they struggle to hold onto even the Welsh players! They have however been very shrewd with their recruitment imo. They've gone to places like Canada and found some real gems, especially Jeff Hassler (god I wish he was Welsh sometimes...) and Tyler Ardron (filling in quite nicely at 8 recently) - and I'd imagine they came at a very reasonable price!


This may change if more players continue to sign up on the dual contracts, as more funds will be made available to the Regions with 60% of their top Welsh stars salaries being paid by the WRU.

 

[psychic duck]

Out of interest when you interview these players, I have to assume it's not for some kind of publication.

Jim Hamilton obviously wasn't the player interviewed ...

"Without being detrimental to the team with whom I'm signing – because I think I have chosen a team which is well-placed in the top 14 and which is very ambitious – it is a financial decision." - http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/dec/28/jim-hamilton-gloucester-france

Seriously, you have to be incredibly stupid to claim that money isn't the factor behind the Top 14's squads. If NZRU could offer all players equal money virtually none would leave.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Out of interest when you interview these players, I have to assume it's not for some kind of publication. You're interminable to have to read. Where did I throw abuse at France? Quote me. I even mentioned I intended to visit France later this year. As I stated if you actually bothered to read my post - I said I'm sure there were more factors than money, it just happens to be the biggest factor .You haven't convinced me otherwise and nor have I stated that money being a big factor is a bad thing. I disagree that the Top 14 is a better quality of competition than Super Rugby. It's longer and has more money. That's about it. Much of it is turgid and away games are basically uncontested at times (and I watch plenty of it having followed Toulon, Bayonne, Clermont, Toulouse and before they were relegated Biarritz - depending whoever had players I was interested in, and what games were offered to stream).

Anyway, don't bother replying as I can't be bothered to read another terribly punctuated diatribe about how great France is.

since when was it your God Given right to state what i can and can't do, if i feel like replyiing i will!!!!

 

[goodNumber10]

I think LG what people find most farcical is that many French posters insist that money is not the primary reason behind a move - and it is instead the fact that France as a place to live is better and has the best competition. It simply ignores the largest factor, which is that players see France as a chance to make a huge amount of money during a limited career span. I absolutely understand their motivations and I can't hold it against anyone. For that matter I'm sure France is a great place to live (I intend to be living in Germany and traveling around France later this year). But the argument that people uproot their families and leave their national teams because they enjoy the lifestyle more than back home - from people I largely suspect haven't spent any time in those countries to make the favorable comparison, is just arrogance. The title of the thread is which players earn the most money - 9/10 are French. I think it would be unreasonable to suspect this wouldn't come up.

French posters mention the education system - well in almost all studies including PISA NZ and Australia are ranked significantly higher than France. Both NZ and Australia have relatively free health care. NZ's and Australia's training facilities have produced many of the top players in the world which is why the are continually greater than France. Again, I just came back from Australia and their beaches are phenomenal, plenty of nice beaches in New Zealand. NZ has great skiing, the scenery around Australia and New Zealand is brilliant, which is why natural tourism is one of our largest industries. My point being - money is clearly the #1 factor behind players going over seas. I'm sure many players want to experience new cultures as well. But there is a reason that players aren't experiencing the cultures of Germany, Netherlands or anywhere else that isn't offering a tonne more money than they could earn back at home. Again I have NO problem with players going to play in the Top 14, I'm sure they enjoy the change of lifestyle etc, but you have to have a head very far up your own arse to not see that these players by in large are going where the money is.

to be fair, i think that they just get fed up with everyone being labelled a mercenary because they take money - Mercenary is a terrible word it has very negative connotations, yet most people make the move for a combination of money, personal and family related reasons.

Many people turn down these moves for personal reasons, and many guys move because they see no future in their country/national team (giteau for example).

And ultimately it's a job, most professions have ex-pats throughout their workforce - some people move for money, some for the experience, some to test themselves and some for a better way of life.

Some even do it for all of the above.

Again, I just came back from Australia and their beaches are phenomenal, plenty of nice beaches in New Zealand. NZ has great skiing, the scenery around Australia and New Zealand is brilliant, which is why natural tourism is one of our largest industries.

South of France is the Number one Tourist destination in World. The Alps are a couple of hours drive away from most of the places has some of the best skiing in the World. France is a beautiful country with an incredible landscape and some amazing people - i agree people move for money but it's not always the only factor taken into account when you are upping an entire family.

 

[welshglory]

Seeing the world and enjoying an experience is massive i imagine. Look at the amount of Aussies, Saffas and Kiwis you see traveling the world. If they (obviously not Boks these days) could still play for the national team and play overseas you'd see massive numbers leaving, even if the pay wasn't that much more. Imo

 

[nickdnz]

Seeing the world and enjoying an experience is massive i imagine. Look at the amount of Aussies, Saffas and Kiwis you see traveling the world. If they (obviously not Boks these days) could still play for the national team and play overseas you'd see massive numbers leaving, even if the pay wasn't that much more. Imo

That's true for a lot of people - especially the guys in their early 20s, but I don't imagine it's the case for players with families etc.

 

[goodNumber10]

That's true for a lot of people - especially the guys in their early 20s, but I don't imagine it's the case for players with families etc.

It's probably even more so for the older players/family workers... you're moving a whole family, away from their support network, partners away fro careers - to a non-native speaking country. If the entire family don't want that experience all the money in the world won't make it worthwhile.

I think you're really underestimating the draw of experiencing living in another country.