,,,,,,We miss being close to our family and friends, and we often get cravings for some of our Midwest American food favorites like boxed macaroni and cheese, bratwurst with sauerkraut, and taco pizza. This month Expats in Ireland interviews Cory Hanson from Iowa. Read on to hear about all his adventures since moving to Ireland. 1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Iowa, USA. For six years, I worked as a public school music teacher before downsizing my life and moving to Ireland. 2. Why did you move to Ireland? I am a “trailing spouse,” a supportive husband who moved with my wife when she accepted a new job. Some people were understandably confused when I told them I would be putting my career on hold, but my friends and family knew that I was flexible, adaptive, and capable of being happy just about anywhere. 3. In which country and city are you living now? We are proud “Honorary Dubs,” living in the south Dublin suburbs. 4. How do you make your living in Ireland? Thankfully, I don’t depend upon my blogging income to survive. My wife works full-time and I can focus on enjoying my career sabbatical and writing. 5.What do you miss most about the States while living in Ireland? We miss being close to our family and friends, and we often get cravings for some of our Midwest American food favorites like boxed macaroni and cheese, bratwurst with sauerkraut, and taco pizza. 6.What do you think about the Irish? The people of Ireland have been very welcoming to us—if sometimes a bit confused about my trailing husband status. We have made many great friends who we will miss when our time in Ireland is up. 7.What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Ireland? In Dublin, we have convenient access to the rest of Ireland by public transport and to Europe via Dublin Airport. We have taken advantage of these travel opportunities as often as possible during our stay, visiting the far corners of Ireland and the countries on the Continent that we’ve always wanted to see. 8. Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Ireland? Prepare, prepare, prepare. I don’t recommend coming to Ireland with nothing but a few euros in your pocket and a dream in your heart. The days of this romantic notion are over; an international move and career change requires a great deal of paperwork, approvals, and pre-planning. 9.Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Ireland? Learn Irish slang by visiting the Ireland thread on www.reddit.com/r/Ireland and reading the cheeky responses to the news posts and photos posted there. Say hello to my longtime expat blog friends Rachel in Ireland and Nearly Irish. If you are coming to Dublin, check out the Dublin Event Guide and Subscribe Dublin for a curated schedule of things to do. 10.What would be your ideal day in Dublin? For the outdoorsy among us, I would recommend spending the day hiking around the Howth Peninsula. Barring that, a short boat ride to Dalkey Island to kick around ancient church ruins and watch the seals. The National Museum: Archaeology is a must-visit in the city centre, and I try to push everyone to explore Kilmainham Gaol for a really well-presented lesson in modern Irish history. 11.Can you recommend any places to travel to while in Ireland? Go to the West of Ireland and explore the coasts, cliffs, and peninsulas. It almost doesn’t matter which you choose. The Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland is also a good pick, and if you need to stay near Dublin, consider a day trip to Newgrange, Trim Castle, or Glendalough. 12.What tips would you give to another Expat family moving to Ireland? Again: Prepare, prepare, prepare. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with other American expats on blogs or forums to make sure you understand what you’ll be getting into. 13.What’s your favorite Irish expression? “A long stretch of an evening.” This refers to the long days of the Irish mid-summer, when sunset seems to take forever, and twilight keeps the horizon glowing until after 11 p.m. 14.Tell us about your Blog? My old blogger page was originally just an easy way to keep our friends and family updated on our Irish moving experience. As I gained experience, it became a daily homework assignment to keep me busy in unemployment. After I wrote and published The Frugal Guide: Dublin, I moved my travel writing content over to www.fivesuitcases.com for a more professionally-presented experience. Now, I write and publish articles about my Irish and international travel experiences, reviews of local attractions, and the occasional personal blog post.
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