This is a subscriber-only article
Michelle Kinsella is from Castletown, Gorey, Co Wexford. She is working as a brand ambassador for Tullamore D.E.W in Chicago. She has a level 8 degree in marketing.
Why did you decide to work abroad?
I always wanted my work to include travel and be in the food & drink industry so the opportunity to move abroad with Tullamore D.E.W. was a welcome one. It’s so important to take risks and go outside your comfort zone to grow both professionally and personally.
How is the Tullamore Dew brand received in America? Do they like it?
Tullamore D.E.W is the second-largest Irish whiskey in the world with the US being one of our biggest markets. They love it here and it does really well. There has been a stream of amazing people representing Tullamore D.E.W. in Chicago so there are really strong relationships here also. Irish whiskey is one of the fastest growing spirit categories at the moment so it’s a really exciting time to be involved in a rapidly growing brand like Tullamore D.E.W.
Tell us about this Irish community in Chicago
There is a huge Irish-American population in Chicago and definitely a lot of strong ties to Ireland. There are some similarities living in the mid-west, everyone is very friendly and helpful, but the culture is American.
What is it like living in America?
I love every second of it. Every state is like a different country. There is so much to do and see here. They truly love the Irish also, the minute I open my mouth and people hear my accent they want to tell me about their long lost cousin from Co Cork.
Chicago is honestly one of the best places I have ever been and by far my favourite city in the States. If it’s not on your travel list, it should be. However make sure to come in summer because the winters are brutally cold.
Are there many opportunities for an Irish person abroad?
Irish people emigrating to find better opportunities is a tale as old as time. This really is the land of opportunity – if you can secure a visa. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to work and live in America for these 18 months. In my opinion, there are more opportunities here than there is at home, purely for the fact that it’s such a huge country.
Tell us about Christmas in America
They really go all out for all the holidays, they love to decorate for everything, Halloween, St Patrick’s Day and of course Christmas.
Jenny Hyland is from the parish of Clough Ballacolla in Co Laois. She is working as a teacher in Qatar, which is on the Arabian peninsula.
Why did you decide to work abroad?
I just love travel, adventure and new opportunities. When I saw the job advertised for this teaching position in Qatar, I just said I would apply and if I got it, I got it. Low and behold I got it and now I’m teaching the youth of Qatar. I have a couple of degrees under my belt, including a level 8 BA in criminal justice studies from WIT.
Tell us about the culture in Qatar
Qatar is an Islamic country and the people dress in a very traditional manner. Although there is no dress code for foreigners we are expected to wear modest and conservative clothes. Qatari men wear a thoub to honour their culture. It’s like a white dressing gown made of shirt material that reaches the floor. Then on their heads they wear an embroidered cap called a ghafiya, which is usually black and white or red and white.
Women on the other hand wear a long black cloak called an abbayah. Then they wear a scarf over their hair called a hijab and a lot of Qatari women will also cover their faces with a niqab which is a veil that covers the entire face apart from their eyes. It was a bit of a culture shock in the beginning. In fact it was quite difficult trying to recognise which parents were which when they would come to collect their kids. But now it’s just normal to me. Doha is slowly becoming westernised and they are very welcoming to foreigners. Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022 and the people seem to be very excited for the influx of tourists.
Do you teach the children about our culture in Ireland?
The children I teach are mainly from the Middle East. They don’t seem to comprehend the idea of a tiny island far away with nothing but green fields. I try explain some of our traditions. However the Muslim culture is very prominent in the school and the school, has a policy where religion especially should not be discussed with the students.
What is the main difference between Clough and Qatar?
I’m living in a desert where there is a lack of grass, rain, fresh air, tractors and farmers. It is fairly different alright. The biggest difference I’ve seen is the lack of outdoor activities because of the heat. Sand bashing and camel riding has become a new Sunday adventure I didn’t think I’d be doing when growing up in Clough.
Are there many opportunities for an Irish person aboard? Would you recommend it to a friend?
I could not recommend enough how many opportunities there are in travelling or moving abroad.
I’d lived in Australia for two years before now and I can honestly say I’ve learned so much and have never had a dull day since I began travelling.
Lovely Laois will always be home though. But there’s a big world to cover before I settle back into the farming life.
Do they celebrate Christmas in Qatar like we would in Ireland or have they any different traditions?
Christmas is not celebrated as it is not part of their religious culture. In school we are not allowed call the end of term the ‘Christmas break’ as most children do not celebrate it and it would only make for questions about our religion. Some shops sell decorations, though, and I must mention my housemate has managed to find the entire Christmas shebang in the shops and the tree has been up since 4 November.
SHARING OPTIONS: