In September 2022, 19-year-old Michael Svoboda made the journey from Czechia to Dublin to engage in mechatronic engineering studies at Dublin City University, supported by a scholarship from the Kellner Family Foundation. Noticing Ireland’s problematic housing situation, Svoboda chose to secure his accommodation in Cabra, a northern suburb of Dublin, half a year earlier, doing so even before it was confirmed that he had procured a place at the university.
Despite being Czech, Svoboda felt it was essential for international students like him to plan ahead and secure housing due to Ireland’s popularity as a study destination. Adjusting to Ireland posed a challenge initially for Svoboda, as he had to manage the transition to adulthood, start university, and adapt to a different environment all at once. Driving around the city, he found himself doubting his English skills, as all street signs were in Irish first.
He was pleasantly surprised to find out that in Ireland, one’s aptitude and capacity to accomplish tasks are valued more than age or background. He felt the atmosphere here pushed him to meet higher expectations and encouraged personal growth.
Apart from his studies, Svoboda is an active member of a solar racing team at his university. This enriched his experience in Ireland, allowing him to discover the nation’s beauty, its traditional music, and Gaelic sports. He appreciates Ireland’s open spirit, which he believes gives people the opportunity to test their own boundaries and succeed, even in minor matters. He cites the presence of cycle paths from the city centre to Dublin Airport as an example of this, allowing someone to choose a bike ride to the airport without facing any hindrance.
“People are highly supportive, maintaining high expectations and standards. Thriving in such a conducive atmosphere encourages progression and the pushing of boundaries,” he observes. He describes his peers and superiors as accessible to an extreme extent, enabling him to seek advice and assistance effortlessly.
Over the summer season, he took positions in a downtown convenience store and a language school, allowing him to continue his residency in the host country instead of returning to the Czech Republic.
The locals appreciated his effort to delve into Irish music and history before his relocation, he comments.
“There’s this unique possibility of transforming into an Irish national, something just unimaginable with regards to German or Japanese nationality. Irish identity appears to take on a different meaning, allowing for acceptance once you’ve established sufficient connections and proven your worth. It’s remarkable,” Svoboda comments.
In comparison to other foreigners, he views life in Ireland as being far less challenging.
“I may be a foreign national, but there is a distinct pecking order. Acceptance comes easier if you hail from Switzerland or the Czech Republic, in contrast to being Russian or South American,” he reflects.
“Foreigners arriving in the country to contribute and integrate within society ought to be, and indeed are, warmly welcomed.”
“Safety is an essential prerequisite particularly for ensuring an atmosphere of growth and success, for locals and foreigners alike. We all require a secure work environment,” he continues.
While praising the admirable traits of his own Czech compatriots, he commends the seemingly wider-ranging health of the Irish populace.
He advocates for encouraging immigrants to demonstrate their societal worth.
“As long as the expectations are communicated transparently, I believe everything will fall into place effectively,” he suggests.
While acknowledging the difficulties that the Irish people faced integrating when they migrated in large numbers to the United States, Svoboda notes, “the Irish diaspora in the U.S. now appears to be blossoming.”
Looking at a broader perspective, we hope to replicate a success story similar to the amalgamation of diverse cultures that come to Ireland, taking the example of my own immigration, says Svoboda. The cultural blend involves retaining beloved elements of our own heritage while leaving behind those that aren’t as favourable. It is an ongoing negotiation and a learning experience.
Svoboda also describes how he was startled by the absence of a prevalent Czechia tradition- baking Christmas treats with family, in the Irish culture. Thus, he took the initiative to send recipes and share samples from his homeland with locals.
Svoboda intends to stay in Ireland for most of his professional life due to the appealing opportunities. Nonetheless, he never misses a chance to visit Czechia, keeping in touch with his family and friends.
He acknowledges profound differences between the two nations. From his observation, The Irish seem healthier and more socially active. They possess a distinctive notion of retirement; in contrast to Czechia where retirees usually stop working, the Irish continue to engage in social activities. Svoboda also noted that Irish people drove at slower speeds and seemed more energetic and approachable.
He expresses admiration for the local tradition of Gaelic sports participation and the evident pride it imbues in the younger generation. This pride, manifest in the form of the county dresses they don, forms a large part of their identity.
The Irish populace is friendly and supportive, and importantly, the nation still holds sufficient freedoms and economic success to allow newcomers to gradually integrate and establish themselves. Svoboda recalls an encounter with an elderly Irish couple in Dundalk, Co Louth. Their youthful spirit became evident when they blatantly crossed a fenced roadwork barrier instead of taking a detour thus, exemplifying their lively character.
The transition was far from simple; it was indeed challenging. “Imagine being of age, amidst chilly weather and constant downpour, struggling to get your insufficiently heated minuscule flat to warm up, alone in a foreign land, besieged with unexpected bureaucracy,” he describes.
This scenario warrants an imposition of considerable loneliness, which is hard to comprehend unless one has gone through the ordeal of uprooting oneself from their homeland. He confesses, “Upon my arrival here, I was unaware of the extent to which pre-existing networks would dictate my social and future life.”
He observes that in Dublin, every aspect of life appears to be a contest, encompassing accommodation, education, and employment opportunities. “I made a conscious decision to revamp my life from the ground up, an endeavour that can be rather daunting, especially in a challenging sector. There are periods of considerable loneliness and introspection, coupled with unforeseen circumstances like falling ill,” he explains.
He relies mainly on his bicycle for getting around, as he believes Dublin’s infrastructure doesn’t cater well to public transit. He laments, “Rather unexpectedly, you discover that your usually clear bike lanes are strewn with broken glass on a weekend evening, courtesy of some people’s amusement at glass-breaking and associated tippling.”
he adds, “Navigating these minor hurdles single-handedly can amount to significant strain. However, one ought to possess the conviction that these issues are surmountable.”
Arriving in Dublin or other Irish settlements with a small income can be tough. Many people face the hardship of gradually adjusting from a bothersome state, and some are unable to cope, potentially due to no fault of their own and leading to mental health complications. “One needs to build resilience against such prolonged periods of desolation, substandard living conditions including housing and suchlike. There is a level of discomfort that needs to be tolerated, eventually leading to better times,” he concludes.
He emphasises that his current success owes much to the Irish community with their warmth and openness, and affording him opportunities even when it wasn’t necessary.
We are eager to receive stories from individuals who relocated to Ireland in the past decade. To participate, you are welcome to send an email to newtotheparish@irishtimes.com, or you can tweet using the handle @newtotheparish.