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Chapter 14: The Mindset of Resilience—A French Professional’s Journey to Dublin

The Call to Change: Motivation and Preparation

Emmanuelle Navarre, a French professional, moved to Ireland driven by the need for professional evolution and the desire to live abroad, fueled by an intellectual curiosity about new cultures.

• Motivation: The professional felt they had reached a professional ceiling in their previous role and needed to change their environment to evolve. Their partner’s existing job in Dublin made the city a natural choice for relocation.
• Preparation: Recognizing that their English was “school-level” and not professional, their first strategic step was to enroll in an intensive English course upon arrival. This was a necessary investment to make the job search effective.

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The Difficult Job Market and The Negotiation

Emmanuelle’s experience highlights the stark reality of seeking employment as a foreigner, emphasizing the need for persistence and self-advocacy.

• The Initial Struggle: Despite their professional background, Emmanuelle found the job search “very difficult”. They spent three months applying before receiving a temporary contract. This was a humbling experience, as they had expected an easier time given their professional profile.
• The Negotiation: When they received their first official job offer, they felt pressure to accept, believing they might not get another. However, after consulting with their partner, they made the decision to negotiate the salary. This resulted in a 10% increase from the initial proposal.

“Always negotiate. You risk nothing by asking, and you gain everything.”

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The Essential Mindset: Resilience and Openness

Emmanuelle stresses that the success of a move abroad relies heavily on having the right psychological approach.

• The Power of Openness: They note that a great advantage in Dublin is the multicultural environment. People are generally curious, open, and accepting of differences. They advise being equally open to avoid isolating oneself.
• The French/Irish Cultural Bridge: They observed that French people sometimes mistakenly believe they are better speakers of English than they are, while the Irish often use local slang and idioms that make communication more difficult. The key is to be prepared to ask for clarification and never pretend to understand when you don’t.
• Embrace the Imperfect: Emmanuelle concludes that if one is thinking of moving abroad, it’s essential to accept that life won’t be perfect and that there will always be sacrifices (e.g., leaving family). The goal is to maximize the benefits—the professional growth, the cultural experience, and the personal evolution.