Have you ever lived / worked abroad?

Neewbie_noob

Sorry if this has been done before, feel free to merge / lock / move mods.

So, as the title suggests, have you ever worked / lived abroad and how does it compare to Ireland?

lounakin

Lived in France and Russia. I think every place will have advantages and things that you wish didn't exist...

jesus_thats_gre

Not lived but worked circa 1/3rd of the past year in India. Quite the experience.

Seaneh

I am Irish and live abroad

Yes.
I prefer living in Ireland.

homemadecider

I am Irish and live abroad

I lived in a small town in India for a year for work. Couldn't drink the water (it was lethal it was so contaminated - ended up in hospital once because of it), had to be mad careful of what I ate (again high levels of bacteria), and I never felt so fortunate in my life... Mostly because I got to come home and didn't have to stay there.

People who say Ireland is like a third world country are talking out of their hole. Here we have clean drinking water everywhere which is a huge thing we all take for granted.

Dj Stiggie

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

I live in Iceland right now. It's far better than Ireland, but I've spent the last while living around continental Europe.

Neewbie_noob

I am Irish and live abroad

Seaneh wrote: »

Yes.
I prefer living in Ireland.

Plus one. I live abroad for a while and the public transport was great, not nanny-state attitude towards alcohol, low crime, no scum, but nothing beats being back home after 6 months.

Yugioh

I am Irish and live abroad

Madrid for one year
Now in Berlin for good (I hope)

Learning a new language, meeting people who are completely different to you and doing things that you just know won't happen in Ireland is unbelievably fun. Gives one a new perspective on life and really makes you think the world is your oyster!

joydivision

I am not Irish and have never live in Ireland

Oooooh I lived in Denmark and they all take their shoes off before entering a house . We should do that here . Every country Ive been to shows me how stupid Ireland is . Ooooooh they still drink . Omg I totally stopped drinking once I went to Switzerland and realised they dont drink all the time . Ooooh did I tell you how it broadened mind . Im like so much more intelligent than everyone in my village now.
Actually why am I here Im heading back to Swaziland to help my tribe deliver rain to the crops . Much better than here broadens my mind .

True story watch for the thread to decend to this .

Death and Taxes

I am Irish and live abroad

Lived ad worked in The Uk, Holland, and Spain.
Each has its own advantages/disadvantages.

Geri Male

homemadecider wrote: »

I lived in a small town in India for a year for work. Couldn't drink the water (it was lethal it was so contaminated - ended up in hospital once because of it), had to be mad careful of what I ate (again high levels of bacteria), and I never felt so fortunate in my life... Mostly because I got to come home and didn't have to stay there.

People who say Ireland is like a third world country are talking out of their hole. Here we have clean drinking water everywhere which is a huge thing we all take for granted.

I got horrendous diarrhoea from drinking tap water in Morocco. A hot river of liquid faeces was expelled from my anus every half hour for a full two days. Sleep was impossible and my ringpiece was red raw afterwards. As a type of challenge to myself I decided not to flush the toilet until I recovered.

By the end of it the stinking molten mush was about two inches away from overflowing.

The King of Moo

I am Irish and live abroad

I have, but only in the U.S and the U.K, which were not much different from here, apart from a sense of things just generally being better organised.

joydivision wrote: »

Oooooh I lived in Denmark and they all take their shoes off before entering a house . We should do that here . Every country Ive been to shows me how stupid Ireland is . Ooooooh they still drink . Omg I totally stopped drinking once I went to Switzerland and realised they dont drink all the time . Ooooh did I tell you how it broadened mind . Im like so much more intelligent than everyone in my village now.
Actually why am I here Im heading back to Swaziland to help my tribe deliver rain to the crops . Much better than here broadens my mind .

True story watch for the thread to decend to this .

Descend to people telling stories about when they've lived and worked abroad, in a thread asking about experiences living and working abroad!!??

Good heavens, if I ever saw such a thing, I do believe I'd eat my hat!!
Harrumph!!

SmilingLurker

I am Irish and live abroad

Born in Canada to Irish parents, live in Ireland. Worked and lived in lots of countries. Travel is good, would recommend it for all.

Grayson

I am Irish and live abroad

I have lived abroad and fully intend to again.

dirtyghettokid

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

i canadian, but have lived here nearly half my life. would love to live in spain, france, or the southern states of the US. short term only though
but yea, it's good to experience life elsewhere!

Geri Male

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i canadian, but have lived here nearly half my life. would love to live in spain, france, or the southern states of the US. short term only though
but yea, it's good to experience life elsewhere!

What's the sanitation like in Canada?

Da Shins Kelly

In Spain at the moment. Has its advantages - cheaper food and drink, warm weather for most of the year, less rain, very nice, friendly people. I'm improving my Spanish too, which is the main objective.

I still miss and love Ireland though and I can't wait to go back and see everyone for Christmas.

Eve_Dublin

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

J1 in the States, worked cleaning plates in a hotel in France for a Summer, midlands of England where I studied and worked for 8 months then lived in Edinburgh for 4 months but weather was so horrific, I left. I then moved on from there to London for 2 years. Travelled in South America for a year but that wouldn't qualify as living abroad. I've been living here in Madrid for over 3 years now but am ready to move on again for a while but can see myself coming back to Spain for a few more years after that then hopefully home.

dirtyghettokid

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

Geri Male wrote: »

What's the sanitation like in Canada?

well you don't get scutter from the drinking water, if that's what you mean

Da Shins Kelly

The King of Moo wrote: »

I have, but only in the U.S and the U.K, which were not much different from here, apart from a sense of things just generally being better organised.

Everything in the US is so big. Just ten times bigger than everything we have, and I found you're just being constantly bombarded by commerce there. It's almost impossible to escape it. Other than that though, yes, not that different. Makes you realise how much American culture we consume, that we can go to an entirely different country and not really see much difference.

Geri Male

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

well you don't get scutter from the drinking water, if that's what you mean

It is. Thanks. Couldn't go through that again. Anal fissures are a once in a lifetime experience. Nobody would want to get them again.

Rabies

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Did a few summers in America in 03 and 04. Doesn't count as "living" though, more like an extended holiday

Have been living and working in Auckland since '06. Back then there wasn't many Irish here and the world financial system didn't hit the fan. Now the place is full of Irish and English :-/

The King of Moo

I am Irish and live abroad

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

Everything in the US is so big. Just ten times bigger than everything we have, and I found you're just being constantly bombarded by commerce there. It's almost impossible to escape it. Other than that though, yes, not that different. Makes you realise how much American culture we consume, that we can go to an entirely different country and not really see much difference.

That's what I found the biggest difference between here and there: the way capitalism is so integral to so much of American culture, and the way that financial success for its own sake is promoted as a goal.
I remember someone telling me he wouldn't like to watch "soccer" as the single half-time break meant he wouldn't get to see as many ads, then there's the cultural phenomenon that is the anticipation of the big new ads shown during the Superbowl.

Da Shins Kelly

The King of Moo wrote: »

That's what I found the biggest difference between here and there: the way capitalism is so integral to so much of American culture, and the way that financial success for its own sake is promoted as a goal.
I remember someone telling me he wouldn't like to watch "soccer" as the single half-time break meant he wouldn't get to see as many ads, then there's the cultural phenomenon that is the anticipation of the big new ads shown during the Superbowl.

It's weird, that Superbowl thing. And there are ads every five minutes on just regular television anyway. I remember watching Seinfeld and they played the end of the previous episode, went to an ad break, came back and played the credits, then went to another ad break before coming back for the next episode.

The fact that you can make some attempt to shut that stuff out of your life in Ireland is one thing I really like.

montreal2011

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Irish born; lived and worked in various jobs in Ireland for most of my life. Lived and worked in Germany and USA also. Visited most of Europe and USA. Right now living and working in Montréal. No where in the world I would choose over Montréal. I hope I get to stay here for many years to come; it's the best place I have ever been. Canada is likely the best country in the world to live in.

Sugar Free

I am not Irish and have never live in Ireland

I haven't lived abroad but would like to for a time, if the right opportunities and circumstances arose.

It's not essential to me once I can still do some travelling to different places but it would be a good experience and a lot different obviously from simply travelling through a country for a few weeks.

dirtyghettokid

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

montreal2011 wrote: »

Canada is likely the best country in the world to live in.

shh! keep that under your hat!
ahh i wish i was back home. but i'd miss the rashers n tea..

Butterface

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Living in England at the moment. I'm spending 5 months next year studying in the Czech Republic which I'm looking forward to!

pablomakaveli

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

I moved to the UK at the start of the year.Its alright over here but i do still enjoy coming home when i can.

montreal2011

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

shh! keep that under your hat!
ahh i wish i was back home. but i'd miss the rashers n tea..

It's ok since I'm in Montréal. The French will put most off!

There's plenty of good bacon and tea here too! Plus there's the poutine!

Also must add the Sunday brunch!

Neewbie_noob

I am Irish and live abroad

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

shh! keep that under your hat!
ahh i wish i was back home. but i'd miss the rashers n tea..

mmmmm Canadian bacon*

*Homer's hallucination in the thing in the hippie shop

Merkin

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Am Irish and living in the UK. Have also lived in the Middle East and South East Asia. I love the UK but it's still nice to be a short hop and a skip away from Dublin!

dirtyghettokid

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

montreal2011 wrote: »

It's ok since I'm in Montréal. The French will put most off!

There's plenty of good bacon and tea here too! Plus there's the poutine!

Also must add the Sunday brunch!

there's bacon.. and then there's rashers. i like all types of bacon though
glad you like montréal. but sure québec wants to be their own country anyways. and i'm just one of those ontario snobs

HalloweenJack

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Spain, Czech Republic and Brazil. I've been thinking of moving on again at some point, and try somewhere like Germany or somewhere else in the EU. That said, I do see my long-term future in Spain.

Never say never but I don't ever see myself living in Ireland again.

montreal2011

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

there's bacon.. and then there's rashers. i like all types of bacon though
glad you like montréal. but sure québec wants to be their own country anyways. and i'm just one of those ontario snobs

That's why Quebec is so good; they only eat cake! The students protested a raise in the lowest college fees in Canada; they succeeded in getting an early election, causing the longest serving provincial leader in Canada to lose his seat, a change of Government, and a freeze in student fees.

Senna

I am Irish and live abroad

Lived in a UK for 3 months at a time a good few years back. Not that different from Ireland, better public transport is one huge difference.

Living in Ireland this last 10 years and I hope to god i never have to leave.

Killer Wench

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

American who lived, worked, and studied in Ireland. I miss chicken baguettes and as much as it pains me, I found the fish and chips to be better in Ireland than here in Seattle - one of the seafood capitals of the US.

Born in England, grew up in Ireland. Have lived and worked in the US, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. Back in Spain right now for the time being. I'd like to live in the Far East and Latin America for a bit before settling down somewhere in Northern Europe.

rannerap

I am Irish and live abroad

Lived in Belgium for a bit, It wasnt much craic. It was cool being in the middle of things though, you could just hop in the car and drive for a bit and be in another country. But I prefer Ireland

phoenix999

I am Irish and live abroad

Lived in Russia (St. Petersburg & Moscow) for a year. Loved every minute (except the crazy drivers). Cultural side of things blew my mind.

EdenHazard

californian born to irish parents, and lived in france(grenoble) for a year when i was 8

Rabies

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

I wonder how many people have counted their J1 visa trip or 6 months in Aus as living abroad.

ArnoldJRimmer

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Lived in India for two years. I absolutely loved the place, but then I always knew it was short term and that I was coming home. Made the most of my time there, got to know a lot of people and travelled when I could. But dear Jesus, the diarrhea was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and the constant crowds were a bit much at times.

I now live in the US, and reckon I'll stay here for a while purely because the career opportunities I have here are so much better than whats available at home right now.

I still miss home, and don't buy into the negativity that some emigrants attach to Ireland. In my experience, Irish workers are well thought of elsewhere, and having worked both home and abroad, with good reason

murraykil

Rabies wrote: »

I wonder how many people have counted their J1 visa trip or 6 months in Aus as living abroad.

Out of those who voted so far 7 have counted their J1 visa trip and 10 have counted 6 months in Oz making a total of 17.

It would have been 19 but two people went into stasis on arrival and remained that way until their visas ran out and they had to return! :rolleyes:

DainBramage

I am Irish and live abroad

Wow no-one so far has told of their year away in Bondi /Coogee, seems like half the country has been to ozzie land.

Xavi6

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Born in Perth to Irish parents, grew up in Ireland, moved back here six years ago in January. No regrets whatsoever, though it's hard not to miss home every so often.

Also did my J1 in Chicago, good times. Very, very good times.

The Big Red Button

I am not Irish and have never live in Ireland

Rabies wrote: »

I wonder how many people have counted their J1 visa trip or 6 months in Aus as living abroad.

I'd consider either of those to be 'living abroad'.

Personally I've never lived outside Ireland. I never want to, either. I'd do it if I had to - if I couldn't get work in Ireland. I'm hoping it would never come to that, though. I'm happy living here. While I don't see my family often, I like knowing that I'm always only a three hour drive away. And, I don't know, I just actually like living in Ireland. I can't imagine settling anywhere else!

I'm certainly interested in travelling, I'd like to see other parts of the world. But I'd be quite happy if I never end up living anywhere else.

MadsL

I am not Irish and plan to come to Ireland

On my third country, Czech Republic (3 years) Ireland (15 years) and US (1 year) - soon I will have lived out of my home country longer than I lived in it

Rabies

Rabies wrote: »

I wonder how many people have counted their J1 visa trip or 6 months in Aus as living abroad.

Why wouldn't they? Working in another country definitely counts as living abroad in my book. I wouldn't consider 6 months travelling through Latin America as living abroad - that's just a long holiday - but say, 6 months teaching English in Chile? That's definitely living there - renting a flat, dealing with paperwork, opening a bank account, mixing with the locals, commuting to work. I'd say anytime you have a job and the sort of daily routines that come with it, you're living somewhere as opposed to being on holiday.

jester77

I am not Irish and live in Ireland

Over 10 years living abroad, mostly in Germany. Things just work for the better here and a better standard of living overall. Can't see myself returning, but you never know.

summerskin

I am not Irish and lived in Ireland

Born in the UK, lived in Germany for a few months per year as a teenager, spent 5 years split between France and Switzerland, just over a year in New York, about 8 years in London(like a foreign country for me, being from the north of England...) and now five years in Ireland.

Just about ready to move back to England now, preferably somewhere up north. Chester might be the place.