Robin Gehret, a 29-year-old technologist, shares a unexpected view about the acclaimed German apprenticeships system, compared to the Irish education model. Born in Nuremberg and raised in Bavaria, Gehret found the rigidity of the German educational system limiting. However, he found the flexible and diverse Irish education system enabled him to prosper in a way he couldn’t have in Germany.
Gehret, who relocated to Kinsale, Co Cork in Ireland in 2017, emphasises the German education system does work for many. However, it poses challenges for those who don’t fit the mainstream model, as they risk getting alienated. He explains how the system categorises children into one of three streams when they are 10 or 11, thus dictating their future into either trades, clerical jobs or academia. This makes the shift to college extremely challenging for those who fire to get into high school.
Gehret himself underwent an apprenticeship in finance and insurance prior to applying for an Apple customer service role in Amsterdam. Subsequently, he was tapped by Apple’s Cork branch for providing technical customer support in German. Before this, he confesses having no personal inclination towards Ireland. He admits it took him some time to acclimate to the local dialect, confessing he now speaks with a flavour of Cork accent.
Aged 24, he realised that he was eligible to apply to university as a mature student, which he initially found hard to accept. “It felt too wonderful a chance to be real, but indeed I am fortunate” he stated. He has recently completed a 2:1 degree in business studies at UCD, opting for a blended learning approach whilst also working. He found the teaching style appealing stating, “In Germany, everything is dog-eat-dog. If you’re not outperforming everyone else, you’re overlooked, jobless, and not taken seriously. However, that was just my experience. In Ireland, I felt a sense of belonging and the UCD faculty welcomed me with open arms, they were always there to support me. The teaching method was distinctly different, it was a focussed and objective-driven learning as compared to Germany’s learning regulations of individualistic approach, there it was only about understanding the syllabus, if you cannot, then you are not cut out for it.”
Upon his arrival, he first struggled with the challenge of “below-standard, damp, mouldy accommodations.” He also talked about encountering “unscrupulous landlords, problematic flats”, describing the availability and quality of housing as a “complete fiasco”. Properties being currently advertised are “forever booked. It’s challenging to get a viewing session.” He then stated his utter displeasure regarding the standard of houses available, both old and new. According to him, numerous problems persist on large scale like roof leaks in new buildings, water leakage from electrical outlets, and mould infestations.
He then went onto share an unimaginable experience from his time in a contemporary rental apartment in Cork City. “This might sound a bit disgusting, but whenever my neighbour used their bathroom, their waste would actually overflow from my shower. This led to my apartment being repeatedly flooded several times throughout the year.” He stayed in such a condition for three long years, “because I couldn’t find anywhere else” and confessed, “it really took a toll on me.”
Three years ago, Gehret started seeing his current girlfriend and they now live on lease in her native town, Kinsale. Fortunately, they have a good relationship with their landlord.
His journey within the realm of professional development has taken a favourable trajectory in a short span. His employment history includes a stint with several US-based multinational organisations. He did experience a couple of job lay-offs, which proved to be a pretty trying test both mentally and professionally considering the absence of a comfort zone. Currently, he is engaged with HubSpot and confesses to his fondness for his job, the people around and the organisation as a whole. His primary responsibilities as a principal services consultant involve project planning and implementation of HubSpot’s marketing software for German-based firms.
Since he operates remotely, he manages to work from his parents’ place a few times a year, spending a couple of weeks there. This frequency surpasses the visits his parents receive from their neighbourhood kids who reside in Germany. His parents acknowledge that his contentment levels are considerably elevated living in Ireland rather than Germany. They appreciate that their son has found happiness in his work life, personal life with his girlfriend and that everything is falling into place.
Staying in Ireland comes with its fair share of perks. High on the list is its commendable and easily attainable education and ideal job market, especially if one is fluent in German. He finds his working space an enjoyable blend of inclusivity, dynamism and merriment, courtesy of the English-speaking environment that unites a colourful mix of nationalities engaging in collective endeavours. The Irish workspace, in his view, has a greater international exposure than German companies, even the medium-sized ones.
As for the Irish inhabitants, he finds them incredibly welcoming and relishes their companionable nature in his everyday life. He admires the relaxed lifestyle in Ireland, where there isn’t anyone dictating terms or expecting you to act in a certain way, a scenario he feels is commonplace in Germany. Irish people, he says, are more prone to allow one their space, finding it acceptable as long as it does not inconvenience them. The impressive landscapes of Ireland, barring the rain, its magnificent beaches, nature and air quality add to the nation’s allure.
However, Ireland does have its drawbacks. Housing ranks high among them. He finds the healthcare system muddled with limited accessibility and compromised quality. The country’s transport infrastructure is frustratingly inadequate. One could hardly depend on buses, trains and taxis. Government services are puzzling to grasp, challenging to avail and rarely meet the citizens’ expectations.
His romantic involvement with a local has opened his eyes to the “Irish world”. He now has a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of the Irish, thanks to her perspective. He has started observing what typically goes unnoticed – the familial interactions, weekend routines, the look and feel of family gatherings. All the little things.
Initially, “being a foreigner, everything is unfamiliar”. As time passes, “I also start to notice the not so positive aspects, just as the locals do, which might not be so obvious in casual friendships or workplace relationships. It’s the actual experience of everyday life that I truly relish.”
In Ireland, “family ties are central. Family impacts daily life, or that’s my personal observation.” Family is valued in Germany as well, but the dynamics differ, and family meetings might not be as frequent. “In Ireland, it feels like there’s this continual stream of familial updates, transporting people across the rural landscape, different from the German experience. I won’t be quick to label it better or worse.”
Gehret “feels fortunate that Ireland welcomed me when I made the move. My status as a foreigner never posed problems. My professional life has progressed beyond my expectations. I never anticipated such rapid successes.”
Yet, “living in Ireland is becoming more challenging.”. The downsides “serve as my daily reminder of what isn’t functioning well. My criticism comes from a place of wanting it to improve because I intend to stay, contribute with tax payments, but also expect efficient services and infrastructure in return. It’s undeniable that several aspects in Germany are superior to Ireland, but I genuinely cherish my life in Ireland. I pay attention to the positive factors. I’ve a partner, I’ve employment, and that’s all positive.” If the infrastructural issues were addressed,” I believe Ireland has the potential to be an extraordinary nation, as it already boasts of multiple positive aspects. It’s a simple life when it comes to forging relationships with people.”