Expat wife living in Dublin

Welcome Hillary!

How many countries have you been living in?

You'll think I am curious but which courses would you like to take?

Hope you'll make new friends here

take care,

Julien

Hi Julien,
Well it's been back and forth... we started in the USA working in different states, and then they told us we were moving to Portland. Four days before the move they sent us to Ireland, for 18 months, then Israel for 11 and now back to Ireland. Last week they said back to Israel, but no... no wait you will stay in Ireland. The other places they are talking about in the next 1-7 years is China and Viet Nam. That is all fine but it's just impossible to make friends in such a short time. People don't like to get involved when they know you are leaving. The courses that I am interested in are really any kind of cooking (I am vegitarian but my husband is not) cooking is my only true art talent. I was also interested in massage therapy or reflexology or really anything along those lines. I am sooooooo open and soooooo bored that I am really up for almost any learning experience. Where are you and what do you do?
Sorry if I rambled!
Hillary

I must be complicated for you to meet new people everytime you move, and to feel like "you don't know where you'll be next year".

You're American, aren't you? Isn't there an AWC (American Women Club) in Dublin? Yes there is one (found on Google), have a look to this website: http://www.fawco.org/member_directory/c … ublin.html

Maybe it could help you to meet people in Dublin 

At the moment I am in the South of France, but I am moving to London in a couple of weeks. I am an IT engineer, specialist of the web ... and I love to travel, discover the world and other cultures

You should have a look to the user map. Have you located yourself yet?

have a nice day,

Julien

Hello, there, I too am an American woman now living in Ireland, though I'm not in Dublin at the moment (wish I was!) I am in County Louth, about a half hour north of you, and there is even less to do in my little town than there is in Dublin! I myself just completed a 36 week course on Community Care, and I can relate to your wanting to connect with people and make some friends, even if only on a temporary basis. I have found the transition between America and Ireland very difficult, even after 2 years...I can't imaging moving from country to country like you have! You must be a very strong, confidant person! What sort of interests do you have, maybe I can suggest some classes in my area that are upcoming?
-Sarah

Hi Sarah,
Wow, you are the first person that has answered my little rant haha. What do you do in Louth? I saw that you have been there for two years. Maybe you would be interested in having coffee or something in Dublin? I have no car and use the Luis and the Dart or my feet to get around. I am just now starting a kids group in the IFSC, where I live for 11-18 year olds. I tried to get involved with the Big Brother and Big Sister program but it's in the works and has been since 2001! Can you believe that, crazy man! I am going to speak with the guy in charge of that little project next week but until then I am working to pull the kids in this comunity together. We live in an area that is really mixed, people with loads of money and no money at all... I think they really need something. I am also doing a clinical aromatherapy course from Austin Texas... I just started it's pretty interesting. Anyway... if you want you can call me or give me your number and I will call you and maybe we can get tother. (** phone number moderated by loloieg - it is better for you to not post it on the forum **) is my home. Thanks for the note. Talk soon. Hillary

Hi Hillary
I'm an expat living in Dublin as well.  Been here 3 years and I'm just gettinng used to it, unfortunately (or not) we will probably be leaving in another 6 months or so.  Not sure,  just when I was getting settled in.  I've enjoyed Ireland lately but the first two years were hard and I still think there are probably better places to live.  The weather is dreadful, but the people are generally pretty nice.  Where do you live in Dublin?

I live in the IFSC by the Luas and Connolly Station. I would love to get together and have a coffee or lunch... let me know if you have time... you can call me at (** phone number moderated by loloieg - it is better for you to not post it on the forum **). Where do you live? Are you going back to the states or somewhere else? I will be in and out today, leave me a message if I am not answering and I will call you back. I hope you have a great day! Hillary

Hello,

My name is Marie , im 21 and  im currently studying economics and business in UCD (Dublin) as an exchange  student.
Im writting this email because i am looking for an american expatriate in Ireland in order to do an interview about the cultural differences between Ireland and the US, at work and  in daily life.
Just to give you an overview, my questions would be like,
What were the first few days like?
Can you describe your relationship with your co-workers?
How did people see you?
etc, etc, that kind of stuff.
So, if one of you is interested in having a coffee( or a guiness , it's up to you!!), and telling  me about your irish experience, it would be great!
It should take only 30mn or 45mn, and it will be anonymous.
Thanks very much
Marie

Hi Marie,
I would love to chat with you but I do not work in Ireland... so therefore have no co workers. My husband does work here though and he would be happy to help out. Give me a call and maybe the the three of us can meet up for a beer and you can interview him. (** phone number moderated by loloieg - it is better for you to not post it on the forum **) is my cel phone. Ok have a great day. Hillary

Hi Hillary,

I just moderated (removed) your cel phone number of your previous message.
This is not because it is forbidden... but I think it is a better thing for you to not "publish" your phone number on a forum....
In order to communicate your phone number to Marie, you can send an email to her. Just click on "e-mail" on the left of her post (just under her nickname).

I hope you understand why I remove your number ;-)

Laurent

Thanks, I didn't know that it was forbidden. I appreciate you doing that for me... I think I posted it on all of the people that comented back to me..ooops. Have a great. Hillary

Hillary, it's not "forbidden", but we never know who can call... It's just safe not to publish.

By the way... Happy Saint-Pat'!

Hi Hilary.  I've probably missed the boat here in terms of what's happened since your plea went out.  I'm English, I spent 2 miserable years in Dublin 2002 - 04 I'm afraid to say as an expat wife, so I empathise with your plight.

However, I wanted to suggest getting in contact with the Irish Citizen's Advice Bureau (sorry I can't remember their full Gaelic name).

I lived in Ballsbridge/ Sandymount and I remember that I contacted the office in Stillorgan and they were happy to take volunteers, but you need to go through a training programme.  I got a place on the training but never took it up as I had my baby arrive!

Does the American Embassy have any lists of volunteer work, etc?  (Sorry I'm probably teaching you to suck eggs with that one!)

The other thing you might check out is if any of the big galleries and museums are taking on volunteers for guiding work etc.

I'm now in Holland which I have to say has a lot more happening with it.

All the best.

Hi Nicola,
Well I am glad that you had your baby and very happy that you are in a place that you find more enjoyable! I thought I wrote in my little cry for help ahhahah... that I do a lot of volunteer work. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and I also volunteer in Eastern Europe (Moldova) at an all girls orphanage with 320 handicapped darling girls. I  spend loads of time there, including 3 months in the summer. Whenever we travel, the first thing I do is find volunteer work. I was just crying out for someone with something in common with to "just hang out with and have coffee". Sometimes the smallest thing like coffee with a friend is really huge. At anyrate, I appreciate your help and your understanding! I am doing much better now, and think it was just a really crummy week. We MAY be moving back to the states as well... then of course I will miss Dublin hahaha... can't win. Enjoy your time in Holland and enjoy that sweet baby.
Hillary

Hi Hillary
I know exactly what you mean - meeting up for natter, moan, coffee but able to feel the other person knows what you are on about.  When you moan its not about having someone give you an answer, solve the problem, its just having someone to talk to and appear to listen.

Sorry I'd misread your first blog - thought you had done volunteer work previously.  Glad you do have something to do.  Re education/ courses I use to scan the newspapers to see if anything on.

Crummy weeks - i have them too, just even a crummy day!  If you just want to let off steam I'm always willing to listen/ read!

I still miss being able to walk up and down on Sandymount Strand in any weather.  That's about it though.

He's no longer a sweet baby - he's a preschooler with a mind of intent and certainly deaf to mummy's wants!!

Take care and best wishes.

Hi Nicola,
It sounds like the little guy is keeping you busy. I love that age... I call it terrific two's or fabulous four's. I think it's funny when they start to do little devious things. I remember my son doing some very funny stuff. Thanks for the ear, I appreciate it. I am very busy at the moment, with all of the plans to move or not to move or to move again, it seems to change every second day... our plans are just so not for sure and I have to be ready for movers and have some temporary housing in the states for my husband while I am in Moldova. If we decide not to go to the states I have to rearrange the plans and see if I can take back my notice to move. It's making me luney tunes! What do you do there? Are you a full time mom? It seems like you guys move a lot as well, is that for your work? I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks again for the note. Your very sweet. Talk soon.
Hillary

Hi Hillary

We move due to his job.  I gave mine up thinking I would get another one on the first move in 2002 but that's not how its worked out!!  So full time mum at the moment trying to retrain as a life/ business coach with an expatriate angle/ niche to my future working life - who knows it might be Tesco's/ Walmart's checkout in 9 months though!!

We're in that are we going / staying thing at the moment.  It is so tiring and you can't relax as your mind keeps planning the move, you can't settle as you feel what's the point might not be here...

My partner came home about 2-3 weeks ago and said its a possibility of moving to Sao Paulo, Brazil, which i can't really say I'm delighted at as we turned it down last year (that and Moscow - too dangerous!).  I'm trying to stay in the here and now i.e Holland - learning Dutch, enrolling our son in school for November when he's 4, keeping up the friendships I've worked hard to develop etc and keeping my mind occupied with studying!!  He's off to Brazil tonight on an investigatory trip, so might have some confirmation of what's happening when he gets back in a week or so.

All the best whatever happens!

Hi Nicola,
Oh my god!!!!! We are soooooo in the same boat. We are going to Arizona one moment and the next not, then yes, then no, then yes... I swear to god it's been like that for a month. I have movers lined up, I gave notice at my apartment... then had to take it back, gave notice as the gym, had all of my electronic stuff sold (that won't work in the states) along with some other things... and then I had to change my mind. I am now under the impression that we are not going, but my husband said we will know for sure on Thursday. It's so crazy and so annoying and I am so over it!!! hahah It's hard to live in the moment when your life is so up in the air from moment to moment. I am also trying to book my trip to Moldova and I can't because I don't know where I will leave from, Dublin or Arizona. Good god it's just nuts. I am so sorry that you are going through it as well, I haven't had a chance to speak to anyone that understands this. Most people say "Oh that is so fun, you get live in so many places" hmmmm not so fun hahah.
I like your life business coach idea. I think there is a good business out there for expats. I think it's wonderful that you are learning the language and enjoying your life there. I think if I had a small child here, maybe my mind would be a little more occupied. I bet your glad that he is 4 so he won't miss his friends so much yet. It's getting to the age though that he will want to start settleing in huh? Well, thanks so much for you note! I hope things go the way you want them to. Keep me posted.
Hillary

Hi Hillary
We've moved on a little - I don't mean literally.  We are staying in the Netherlands for the time being.  My partner is working in Brazil ad hoc/ commuting which has proven a little demanding on all of us over the past 2 months, but he took the decision that Sao Paulo was not a place he wanted to move his family too.  How is the world with you and where are you?

Hi everybody,

I left Ireland 2months ago after 5 years in Dublin.
I'm really sorry to hear that Hillary got a difficult start. Dublin is so easy to live in,  I believe that  all the expat in Ireland will help you to feel better.
Enjoy because 1 year is too short.
Take care.

PS: One thing that not everybody think about, it's to look at what the cultural bodies are doing or can offer. There are so many event to enjoy... theatre, dance, music. Don't forget: Dublin is a small city but you can really enjoy the services of any european capital.

Hello,
  I'm a first-time "poster" to a blog so bear with me. First and foremost, I'll offer an apology in that I'm not really replying to the question(s) you asked. This is just my leap into the forray as an expat hopeful in the next 3 years. My wife and I live in southern California and are more than ready to liquidate everything (except the dogs) and move out of the United States. Prior to marriage, I traveled in Europe and we have made several trips since being married.
  So, to the point:  where in Europe do we want to go. We love France, but it's probably too cost prohibitive. Yet,...?
  It sounds as if you have lived in several EU countries. Any general, random (or even rambling!) thoughts you would like to share.
  Thank you. I'll be watching.
Bruce

Hey Bruce. Welcome to the forum!

I thought I'd put up a post to let you know that you might not get too many replies here - I'd suggest starting a new post with this one. Just go to the Living in Europe and on the top right hand area click on Post New Topic (or just click on the links I put in here).

I'm sure then you can copy and paste the text from your post straight into a new one!

Another reason for starting a new post is that if someone subscribes to RSS feeds (gets the forum posts sent to a newsreader), usually just new threads show up. So, by not starting a new one, people who use these feeds to monitor the forum might not even know about your question (unless they've subscribed to this thread by email).

The moderator might move your post for you, but it might save them some time by doing it yourself.

In regards to your actual question, I can't help you at all (I've never even been to Europe). But there are certainly lots of people on here that, I'm sure, will be able to give you some good advice. Good luck with that, and good luck with your decision!

Welcome on board Bruce!

I completely agree with dmscvan, you should post a new topic for your questions

Hi,

I've just stumbled upon this site and realised that I'm not the only one wondering how to make more friends and to meet more people. I'm also an expat wife and we have recently moved to Dublin. We have a 2 year+ son.

Have to say we are enjoying Dublin for what it has to offer after coming from Hong Kong. Don't get me wrong, Hong Kong has been great but it has it's cons. I am wondering if anyone would tell me where or how I can find good schools in Dublin for my son who would be starting junior school in 2 years. Heard that for the good schools, they have a waiting list of 2 years!!!

Would appreciate if anyone could point in a the right direction. Have been surfing the web but no success.

Thanks.

Hi

I lived in Dublin and before my son was born nearly 4 years ago, everyone told me to get his name on the lists!  I didn't as I was clear we wouldn't be there.

I would suggest joining another web forum for mums - www.eumom.com/ie/.  I found this an invaluable source of information as someone new to Dublin and Ireland.

You can post your questions and get responses and suggestions from other Dublin mums.  I even met up with some of them in the time I was there.

My other suggestion is to look in the phone book for the Education authority/ department at government level and ask to speak with someone there about what your best course of action is.  They will either be help or will advise you of where else you can go.   Your health visitor (community health centre) may be able to advise as well when you go for your next check up with your son.

I am in Holland now and its similar.  I applied to as many schools as possible in the area, tried to see as many as possible too and had my ideals.  I managed to do this 18 months before he was due to start (they start at 4 years old here) and got my second choice in the end.  So from experience apply to them all and play one off against the other as everyone in Dublin will be doing too - this is why there are waiting lists.

Plus the other way is to keep ringing up the school of your choice and irritating them until you get him a place - I've heard of some Dublin friends doing this!

All the best!

By the way Hillary are you still in Dublin?

I'm now off to California for 3 months from 1 October, which has just knocked up the work I did on getting a place for my son at the International school as they don't think they'll have a place for him in January, yet there's one on 30th November just before school holidays!

But my partner when I've asked why am I having to relocate us all says he doesn't want to be on his own whilst he's over there! 

Still its sunny and not lashing with rain all the time as it was in Dublin and is here in Holland in the last month!

Hi Hillary,

IŽve read your post and I confess that IŽve had to laugh. IŽve been as desperate as you once, without anything else to do, but cleaning and reading, taking care of my baby and supporting my husband. At that time we were living in Egypt, now we live in Maldives...LOL I cannot get desperate ! we live in an island, and as incredible as it may seem... IŽve had to cool down about working and other regular issues that bother us so much. Imagine that here I do not have a beauty parlour and IŽve had to learn to colour my own long hair ( it is a mess!). Here thereŽs a very nice spa, which I use sometimes for massages. My routine is almost the same everyday. I just change a bit, like:having breakfast later, not going to the beach, going to the kids club to take my daughter in the afternoon and not in the morning... wow, Hillary, what I mean is that I had to cool down, since I cannot go against the flow, and I am happy to know about you, that has the same feeling IŽve once had. I wish you will find your way to the things you would like to do... I also move a lot which does not allow me to find a job for a long time or ever !I did not have time to write much about me or Maldives yet, but I will.wish you the best, Rejane

Hello there i just graduate from a technical school here in the US as a dental assistant, and i look forward to move on to the next step as dental hygienist, my top goal is to be a general dentist but to be honest with you guys, as you know here in the US is very expensive to study in the dental school, so i'm looking for other choices and i heard about Ireland and it sound very interesting, my question is how can i move from the US and continue my education overseas in a place like Ireland? i would love to heard from you guys, thank you very much!

(moderated: you are , for job offer, please post in the classifieds, Thanks)

Hi Everyone,

I just happened to run across this website/blog.  You all seem so interesting, I decided to join.  I am American but have a home in Scotland and lived on Guernsey in the Channel Islands and Edinburgh for 13 years.  Currently I am on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. 

Aloha!

Bethany1

P.S.  How do I get back to this section of Ex-pat?  I had to backspace after I joined - it had sent me to the USA section.  Once I sign off tonight, how will I find you again?

Thank you.

Bethany1

Maybe you could indicate in your profile that you would like to live in Ireland?

Otherwise you can click on forum > Ireland > Dublin

Hope this helps,

Julien