A Spanish woman who moved from Spain to Dublin, Ireland, in the hope of better job prospects, has reflected on the cultural differences between the countries.
According to Tiktoker Claudia Sebastian, who shared her experiences and what she’s learned since moving to Ireland on her @clauditrips account, most people can’t understand why she’s want to “give up a country with a wonderful culture, people and climate for a grey and dirty city”.
Many people have their own reasons for making the life-changing decision of moving countries – whether that be work, money, love or even health. In any case, moving often makes people reflect on both the positive and negatives of their new, and old home. But for Claudia, it’s made her realise how lucky she is for all the things she has.
Explaining her decision, she said: “I moved to Dublin because of the money, I didn’t come to learn English. I came to look for a job because there are more opportunities here and better pay.”
Claudia explained the decision to move was a consequence of the “precarious” situation in Spain. “Lately, ‘I had nothing better to do in my country and I came here because the pay is better’ has become the phrase I hear the most,” she said.
This experience has also allowed her to reflect on the cultural and economic differences between the two countries. According to her, the Irish don’t understand how someone can leave a country like Spain. “For them, it is completely unthinkable to give up a country with a wonderful culture, people and climate for a grey and dirty city,” she said.
This generates mixed feelings in her. She explained: “That makes me a bit angry because it makes me realise that they see Spain as the country of cheap coffee and beer, where people are always happy and enjoying themselves, without considering the difficulties we face every day.”
Claudia highlighted that in Ireland, money is not as big a problem as it is in Spain. “Living here has made me realise that the culture of effort and sacrifice that we have in Spain is based on a completely precarious country, where being able to save is a luxury,” she reflected.
Despite the difficulty of emigrating, Claudia says that this experience has given her a different perspective. “Thanks to [moving], I have been able to understand this culture and my own, and that has made me realise how lucky I am for all the things I have,” she explained.
With an emotional touch, Claudia confessed her desire to return to Spain in the future. “They dream of emigrating to Australia, and I dream of returning to my country with a salary that allows me to live and not only survive,” she concluded.
