Tag Archives: immigration

The Land Of All Things: For Expats There Is No “Perfect” Place

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Glenn Kaufmann

For those of us who like to travel, and have long wanted to live overseas, we often imagine that there’s some country/place out there, some golden, shining bastion of goodness that will cure everything, and be our “perfect” place. Sadly … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Friends & Family | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

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

Vagabondage: Moving Abroad & Travel Lust

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

We like to joke that, “The best part of living in Europe is: you’re close to the rest of Europe.” That’s our cute little, hopelessly self-absorbed, First World privilege way of saying “we love to travel. Ask us where we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 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 Expat’s Guide to Housing: Irish Landlords, Renting & Foreign Property Ownership

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

One of the first things that expats have to adjust to in their new home is the local outlook towards renting and property ownership. In the U.S. if you don’t own, or aspire to own at some point, you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, International Moving, Irish Economy, Irish History, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Playing the Skins: The Expat’s Second Chance At Life

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

As adults we rarely get the chance for a “do over”. When you move overseas, you are, to a greater or lesser extent, given the chance to change who you are. You can try on different masks, and be someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

The Song Of My People: The Expat’s Guide to Foreign Language

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

For anyone traveling overseas, speaking the local language is not just useful, but may well save his or her life. For expats and immigrants, threading the needle of “becoming a local” (if that’s even possible) involves picking up not just … Continue reading →

Posted in Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Health Care, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Stone Fences: Struggle, Sacrifice, and the Expat Life & Legacy

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

For the past week I’ve spent an hour or so every day digging in the garden, preparing a 4-foot by two-foot patch of ground for planting. Ever day, as I pull dozens and dozens of stones from the ground, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Countryside, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Why Ireland Is Better Than the United States: One Man’s Joy At Not Living Somewhere Slavishly Devoted To ‘The Individual’

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Glenn Kaufmann

After nearly three years of living in Ireland, the thrill and curiosity of not living in a superpower has dulled a bit, but still fascinates me. On a daily basis the need not to compete with everyone, and the need … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Health Care, Immigration & Emigration, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments