At the end of the day, all open world idealism aside, the guild of engineers votes with their feet for guild protectionism. And of course its all to protect the users. Not sure. At least you are in good company- after the cold war ended, lots of famous russian mathematicians and doctors searched for work in the west- and there degrees where not accepted. I mean russian mathematicians, that combination is nearly a brand. Fear of looking lousy next to the imported guy.