I trained with guys from France, Spain, And Switzerland. Job market is horrible. Training is outrageously expensive. They are coming to the US to train and get work if they can, or train and get an FAA license to find work around the world where FAA licenses are accepted. I have seen a couple of Euro pilots BS their way onto tuna boats at 200hrs. Claiming 1,000. I wouldn't recommend that as a primary plan. It's dangerous and illegal.

You'll never be able to pay off a loan for $80k with only a couple grand saved up. Not happening. I got SUPER lucky with the job I have now flying tours and I'll be lucky to make $25k this year before taxes. Most my friends are CFI's right now. If you add up all their actual work time hours they making between $5-$7/hr.

Save your money. Get a job that sucks but pays a lot. They're out there (met a guy who cleaned portopotties at a government work camp. He made $400/day. I worked camp crew at wildland fire camps and made $4k/mo. My friend makes 6 figures as a roughneck. Another guy I met makes $50/hr driving dump trucks). Work for a couple of years being as frugal as a refugee and get your training done without owing your life to the bank.

My 2c.