Dublin is the capital of Ireland, and with its 1,1 inhabitants, it is home to a quarter of Ireland’s population. Located in the province of Leinster on Ireland’s east coast, the city has the charm and feel of a busy provincial town. But what it really feels like to move there as a young graduate? To give you some hints, we’ve asked Maria, a Romanian graduate currently working for Yahoo! in Dublin, and Peter, a CBS student with an internship at Google Dublin, to share their experiences about the Irish (work)days.

Dublin has emerged from the economic recession in 2008, and has become the high-tech capital of Europe and continues to grow with all the new start-ups moving here. The city’s International Financial Services Centre and Docklands area are buzzing with an international young workforce and are an exciting place to be. "When the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t hesitate one minute to be part of the European equivalent to the Silicon Valley, the city with the ‘Silicon Docks’ here in Dublin”, says Peter about his internship at Google Dublin.

When in Dublin, feeling homesick is very unlikely

Ireland’s economic centre is located in the region of Dublin, as the economic improvements in the 1990s attracted a large number of global pharmaceutical, information and communications technology companies to the city and Greater Dublin Area. The boom brought many new ethnic groups into the city and created a more international feel, particularly in the north inner city.

What is more, the Irish people are well known for their friendliness and happy-go-lucky nature, which has led to the city being voted the Friendliest City in Europe twice by TripAdvisor. During his internship period, Peter also experienced this world-famous sociability of the Irish: “When living away from home and friends, I find that everyday life can become a little lonely. Not in Dublin! Because so many people are here for the same reason as you - to work. So you make a lot of new acquaintances and build relationships with people from all over the world. Everybody, including the Irish, are very open so there is never a dull moment in Dublin; somebody is always inviting you to do something”.

When it comes to local insights, Maria added: „Train your kidneys, it’s true: Dubliners do drink a lot. Pack only warm, fluffy clothes, boots, and socks, you’ll need those during almost all year-long. Except during the 3-days summer, yay!”

What makes Dublin a "killer" city to work in?

„Career-wise, it’s a great place to be. You just have to believe in yourself, because everybody here appreciates you for who you are, what you are and it’s also a great opportunity to meet people from around all over the world”, concludes Maria from the Yahoo! office in Dublin on why you should consider going there.

Overall, Dublin is a leading city when it comes to innovation and creativity, and it represents a perfect combination of the Irish cultural heritage and the city’s new vibrant energy. It is a city that definitely wants to meet you, greet you and make you feel welcome.

Is it something for You?

The best way to get a job in Dublin is to do some research and keep yourself updated with the employers you are interested in. And there are many ways to do that. Here on Graduateland, you can check your selected companies’ job postings every now and then, you can also attend events where these companies will be present, or you can follow them on our network and other job sites.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Get more insights on how it is to be a tech intern in Dublin by reading Peter’s story.

Read more about Maria’s adventures as a foreign employee at the Yahoo! office in Dublin.