"I can imagine what they probably think my life looks like: living in a thatched-roof cottage, strolling among gently rolling hills dotted with fluffy sheep, and spending cozy, firelit evenings in a pub overflowing with laughter and live traditional music. Those things do exist in Ireland - but, as I found out, not to the extent Hollywood and the tourism industry would have you believe."
"I was in my mid-20s when I arrived in Cork City for a dream internship at a local restaurant. I couldn't believe my luck. Locals and newcomers alike always say that Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, is really just a village. Its community vibe, bustling markets, and diverse cultural activities quickly made me feel like I belonged. Only weeks in, I caught myself basking in a rare day of sunshine, wistfully thinking, "This is somewhere I could see myself living five years from now.""
Moved from Kentucky to Cork in her mid-20s for a restaurant internship and fell quickly in love with the city's village-like community, markets, and cultural life. Met an Irishman named Frank within months, began dating, and planned marriage and relocation despite parental concerns about the 4,000-mile distance. Early impressions emphasized belonging and optimism, but expectations of a romanticized Irish lifestyle—thatch cottages, rolling hills, constant live music—clashed with a grimmer, wetter reality. Loves her husband and their life in Ireland, but remains torn between two countries, experiencing ongoing homesickness and practical challenges.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]