Would an American like living in Ireland?

Question

I am very interested in moving to Ireland for grad school. I've heard nothing but good things from my friends who have visited there/studied abroad, this is probably my last chance to live in a different country before I settle down (I'm not bi-lingual so an English speaking country is perfect), and I notice Americans don't really have anything bad to say about the Irish people (unlike when they visit France/Italy/etc...). The only bad thing I've heard is that there isn't really a whole lot of things that jump out at you, but I'm not there for tourism, I'd be there to learn. I go to school in the Bronx, NYC and came from California. The few Irish people I've met here at bars are seriously some of the friendliest foreigners around.

I guess this is a question for anyone in Ireland or people who have visited for more than a weekend and have actually gotten a feel for what life is like there, as opposed to the States. Thanks.

Answer 1

It would be quite a culture shock I imagine. We have pretty much everything here in Ireland that you have in the USA, only on a much smaller scale. Also, the weather is not good and for people used to sunnier climes, they may find this quite depressing. I suggest you come here on a holiday first to help you decide how you like it.

Good luck =]

Answer 2

While I will agree with everyone who said Ireland has quite an Ireland (as a nation of people) is not happy with what America has done to the world over the last decade I think most Irish people are big enough to see that one American  is not responsible for what your governments foreign policy  happens to be.

If you’re looking for a new experience Ireland will provide it. Globalisation aside Ireland still has a very strong culture of its own.

I've spent the last 2 years living and working in Madrid and loved it  So personally I'd say go for it!  But it will be expensive especially given the weak dollar..

Finally check out this link from RTE (Irish public television) below.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/inthenameofthefada/...

It's a programme about an American Comedian (from NYC) who's lived here for 16 years and wants to become fluent in Irish in one year.  

It's really funny and it might give you a bit of an idea about Irish culture (especially rural Ireland) from an American perspective.

Good Luck with what ever you decide to do!

Answer 3

Its quite different from the States, but a large proportion of Irish pop culture comes from the US (and the UK), so it won’t feel entirely alien.

However, as Orla C said, Americans aren’t as popular in Ireland as they used to be. Main reasons are the way the 50,000 illegal Irish are treated in your country, the unpopular war in Iraq, and the human rights breaches at Guantanamo. Its not just the Irish, many Europeans feel that the once-great USA has gone extremely right-wing in a wave of anti-Muslim paranoia.

I met two American pretending to be Canadian whilst backpacking across Europe. They said they were tired of the hearing the same anti-American sentiment over and over again.

If you are going to move over here, you’ll have to expect some of that sentiment. However, in general I think you’ll find the Irish to be friendly and receptive, judging each individual as an individual. And if you’re only coming over to study for 6 months, or a year, you have very little to lose!

Answer 4

That depends on the American. If you are from a very urban part of the world, most of Ireland will be very alien to you.

Americans are not as popular in Ireland as they used to be, by the way. That said, it depends on the individual Yank ...

Answer 5

i live in ireland and have lived here all my life :) (so far)

im gonna be honest with you; here are advantages and disadvantages:

advantages:

an american would love living here, great people and culture: we are very welcoming and friendly :) great music and language ... since you are from california, you will love the coastline of ireland : rugged cliffs and sandy beaches !! just dont forget your wetsuit :))

disadvantages:

rain! never really gets very warm... AWFUL health system :( its practically third world ..

ireland is also very expensive, property, food etc.

but make your own mind up!

hope that helped

Answer 6

It depends on the person themselves.  Most of the non Irish people I know love it here, but I've heard of some people that just could not get used to it at all and had to leave.  

I'm trying to think of differences between Ireland and the States, (I've been twice, once for over 2 months travelling around).  We tend the put up with situations that would drive other nations around the twist, 'ah sure it'll be grand' or 'whats the point in worrying' attitude, and everyone stopping to talk- in supermarkets, at bus stops, walking the dog. Its never ending.  

You will be limited in your choice of food etc, we're a bit behind there but catching up.   But most of Western culture, or should i say US culture has crossed over, (except for US sport) so you won't feel totally out of place. I suppose it all depends on you as an individual. Don't try to change, just accept,and you'll be grand.

Answer 7

depending on where you want to live in ireland there are some beautiful places in ireland and the people are so nice and friendly  there is cork ,belfast ,or in the west of ireland there is galway.kerry .and if you want to go surfing go to enniscrone is county mayo if you do come to live in ireland i just want to say welcome to ireland both north and south

Answer 8

If you like nature and a slow, simple, relaxed life, you'll love Ireland.

Answer 9

don't go to dublin. There the new generation of irish and are n't as nice as people from the countryside. Cork and limerick have the best schools  in the country and limerick has the most modern university

Answer 10

I went to Galway, Ireland for grad school and I loved it.  I highly recommend moving to Ireland for, well, any reason really.  I met the most wonderful and funny people as well as got an incredible education. Where are you thinking of going?

Try this guide out, I actually wrote this guide for my company's site about Ireland- how to get around, where to go and so on ...

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Tr...

If you have any questions please feel free to email, I love talking about Galway and Ireland.

Answer 11

hi you

you would love it over here in Ireland we are a friendly lot of people and we speck English over here so you should no trouble that way

Answer 12

I moved here [to ireland] from NYC and I love it.  I'm in Galway, which is pretty and vibrant and big enough to always find something to do.  It's also only a 3 hour train ride to Dublin.  

People here ARE very friendly.  I find that Irish people tend not only to be friendly, but also very POLITE in general which is probably why you haven't heard too many bad things about Irish people.  The best thing about the Irish (in Galway anyway) is they love to have a good time.  Drink is usually involved with the added flavor of sports and/or gossip.  There is always music around and Irish people LOVE TO TALK.  I've never left a pub without at least one new friend (okay, i love to talk too, but if you're willing, so are they!)

If you're coming from New York, you will miss a few things:  sushi, mexican food, movie premiers, proper transportation, your favorite corner bodega, hot summers, crowded trains/parks/streets/sidewalks/stores, smoggy mornings, smoggy evening commutes, that guy jammed up against you on the bus who hasn't showered in days, and probably good New York pizza.  Other than that, you're good to go!  You'll still have plenty of traffic to keep your homesickness at bay.

Also, Ireland is a good jumping-off place to travel around Europe on the cheap.

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT!!