Category Archives: Home & A Sense of Place

Everything Is Ireland’s Fault: Or Why I’m a Bad Immigrant

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Glenn Kaufmann

Hey, Ireland, I’ll let you in on a little secret. As much crap as you talk about the immigrants within your borders, we talk about you too. Even after nearly five years of living in Dublin, a town I’ve grown … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Friends & Family, Home & A Sense of Place | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dublin Versus Paris: An Immigrant’s Guide to Choosing A City

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Glenn Kaufmann

For those of us who are predisposed to emigration, I think there is a danger that we’ll always live with one eye fixed on distant shores. I’ll admit that “where to next” is always on my mind in some way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Europe, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Getting On With It: Lessons in Making A Life

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Glenn Kaufmann

One of the things that simultaneously aggravates and inspires me is the Irish notion of, “It’ll be grand”, of just getting on with it, and making do. It seems so casual and whimsical, but “getting on with it” has made … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Pubs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Out in the Country: Big Lessons From a Small Place

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Glenn Kaufmann

As a self-confessed city person, I admit that I tend to think of most countries as big cities with a few other places scattered in between. But Ireland has, as with so many things, helped me see the error of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Thanksgiving in Ireland: The Importance of Sharing Old Traditions and Making New Ones

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Glenn Kaufmann

Each year around Thanksgiving I’m amazed at how many of the Irish I meet are familiar with American Thanksgiving traditions. I know that’s not a typical immigrant experience. Ireland and the U.S. are unnaturally close. But I am heartened to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Attractions, Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Pubs, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Better World: The Refugee Crisis and What It Says About Us

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Glenn Kaufmann

I regularly refer to immigrants, emigrants, migrants, and refugees in this blog. And, to some extent that last category has always been a somewhat obligatory attempt to cover all bases. And to my mind, true refugees have, until recently, seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Europe, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Expat Ambassadors: How Migrants Answer For Their Home Countries

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

Given recent events, I’ve found myself watching from afar and wondering if we migrants (immigrants and emigrants) will ever be free of national accountability. Will there come a time when we won’t be called on to explain the actions (“right”, … Continue reading →

Posted in Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Love You From Afar: An Expat’s View Of Change At Home

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

For expats knowing where (and what) “home” is can be difficult. For many of us, we’re not really “locals” yet, but we aren’t really part of that place we came from anymore either. We’ve moved on. It/they have moved on. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Leading Edge: Quality Of Life In a Small Country

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

Please recognize in advance that everything in this post is my opinion, and any “wisdom” is based solely on my lived experience. No experts were consulted, no “facts” are involved, and your mileage will definitely vary. Well, now that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Modern Life, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

I Am Moved By Water: Water and the Flow Of Migrants

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

I am moved, even haunted, by water. For me, the sea, lakes, rivers, canals, and streams have always had a special, almost mystical, pull. I am an infrequent sailor, an abysmal paddler, and a romantic wannabe live-aboarder. My life is … Continue reading →

Posted in Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments