Immigration made simple

Immigration made simple

This blog has been written by 2 German students who came to ireland for a short internship/ they wrote about their experience on immegration.

May 13, 2024

Immigration has always been a very difficult task to deal with. For the countries as for the foreigners aswell.

Nowadays it is hard to recognize where help is actually needed and if so then, what to help people with.

Many countries are opening their borders for people, but once the people are in the state, many goverments tend to put all the immmigrants with the same nationality in one part of the town. Even if they do help them to find a job and a place to live in, that is still not enough to correctly integrate them and to actually make them a part of their community.

To fully integrate the people coming into a new country, it takes both sides to work on it. Many people come from other standards of living, with another religion and different values. Many of them left their familiy behind or even worse, they lost their families.

To understand the struggle of each other, it takes a lot of empathy from the citizens of the country and from the population that came to their state.

From my personal experience i know what activities and courses would help foreigners to understand more about the country they came to and the folk that is living there.

For example as a foreigner if you have done some sports in your home country, you can look for some courses that include this type of sport in the city you currently live in. Onother opportunity is to take part in language lessons. Often you will find there people from your country who are willing to help and support you.

Feeling the sense of belonging can take time. So if you put in the effort and see no results, do not rush and stay busy.

If you, who are reading this have struggels to build a connection to the irish communtity, i recommend you to go out more and do not be ashamed to be yourself. Talk to people without being afraid to make mistakes. You are not the only one who is going through this.

Take it easy, have a guinness😊

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Tips and Resources for peoploe who live in ireland who want to get more involved.

1. Join Local Clubs and Societies:

   • Meetup Ireland: Meetup Ireland is a great platform to find local clubs and societies based on your interests.
   • GAA Clubs: Join a local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club to get involved in traditional Irish sports. GAA Club Finder.

2. Learn Gaelic Sports:

   • GAA: Learn more about and get involved in Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie through local GAA clubs. GAA Official Website.
   • Local Clubs: Visit your local sports clubs or community centers for information on joining teams.

3. Attend Language Classes:

   • Conradh na Gaeilge: Offers Irish language classes for all levels. Conradh na Gaeilge.
   • Local Community Centers: Check for Irish and English language courses.

4. Participate in Local Festivals:

   • St. Patrick’s Festival: St. Patrick's Festival is a must-attend event for experiencing Irish culture.
   • Culture Night: Culture Night offers free events across Ireland, showcasing the best of Irish arts and culture.

5. Explore Irish Music and Dance:

   • Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: Find local branches for traditional Irish music and dance lessons. Comhaltas.
   • Irish Set Dancing Classes: Many community centers offer set dancing classes. Check local listings or Set Dancing News.

6. Volunteer in the Community:

   • Volunteer Ireland: Find volunteering opportunities that suit your interests. Volunteer Ireland.
   • Local Charities: Many local charities are always in need of volunteers.

7. Visit Local Libraries and Community Centers:

   • Libraries Ireland: Libraries Ireland offers a wealth of resources, including events and workshops.
   • Local Community Centers: Often host integration events, language classes, and cultural workshops.

8. Join Expat and Immigrant Groups:

   • New Communities Partnership (NCP): Provides support and resources for immigrants in Ireland. NCP.
   • Internations: An expat network that can help you connect with other expatriates in Ireland. Internations Ireland.

9. Explore the Countryside:

   • Discover Ireland: Discover Ireland offers information on tourist sites, nature trails, and historical landmarks.
   • Heritage Ireland: Find information on Ireland's heritage sites. Heritage Ireland.

10. Understand Local Etiquette:

    • Citizens Information: Provides guidance on social norms and local etiquette. Citizens Information.