Dear Ireland, I’ve only known you for a year, but unfortunately, it’s time for me to leave. I had such a great time – great craic, as you say here. At the beginning it was quite challenging; getting used to a new language, a new city and a new culture takes time. My biggest challenge was maybe being understood by people. I could not get rid of my French accent (and I still can’t). Sometimes I felt very lost, without any mark in this new environment.
But it was only a few days before things started falling into place, and I tried to learn as much as I could about this country.
I travelled from Westport to Donegal, from Belfast to Wicklow, to see as much as I could of your wonderful landscapes. I ate and drank anything that sounded Irish to me: Irish stew, coddle, Irish breakfast, Guinness and several other beers... I tried it all!
I discovered your traditional music and dances. I need some improvement, but I’m able to do the basic steps. I also discovered Gaelic football and camogie, playing with a DIT Erasmus student team. I have a good grasp of the rules and will carry on playing back in Brittany.
I experienced some extraordinary moments, too: my first match in Croke Park at Hill 16; the visits of Barack Obama and Queen Elisabeth; the presidential election; my first St Patrick’s Day!
But the place where I learned the most about you, Ireland, was in the pub. I really feel that’s where the real ‘céad míle fáilte’ can be found. I had so many unexpected encounters with great people, I can’t even remember all the faces and names, but I definitely remember all the stories, so touching and enriching.
Some spoke to me about emigration, about the IRA, their language, about the economic crisis, their lives, their future. Irish people are also very inquisitive and eager to learn about foreign cultures. I had the chance to speak about my own culture and my home in Brittany. I was glad to share some part of my life with others.
What I did not expect before coming here was to meet so many people from all over the world. Apart from meeting students from across Europe, I also had chats with people demonstrating on the streets, my colleagues at Metro Éireann, people I interviewed, new Irish friends.... It really opened my mind.
I discovered what Diwali was; I saw traditional African dances; I ate traditional Moroccan food; I tried to speak Lithuanian with my flatmates; I had conversations about multiculturalism and politics in different countries; I saw art from all parts of the globe… I mean, I discovered so many cultures in the past few weeks!
Dublin clearly appears as a multicultural city, full of diversity. Language was not a problem, you just overcome this difficulty and have an exchange with people.
Being part of Metro Éireann also meant talking about migrant issues. I saw that no matter what the country, being in a foreign land is quite challenging. Problems in access to education, accommodation and jobs are part of everyday life for migrants in Ireland. I admire all the effort people do to make the country home, and to share their own culture.
Now, alas, it is time to go back to my French life. I will see my family and friends, and carry on my studies. But I will also meet new people and share with them new experiences. That’s how life is going. I won’t forget any of my time in Ireland, even as I turn one page to open another.
Ireland, I already miss you, but I promise I will be back one day!
Carole Le Goff was an intern with Metro Éireann.
