With people from all over the world choosing Ireland as a place to live and work, we speak to those that have put down roots in the country. This time, we talk to Stefanie Häuser from Germany, who came to Dublin as part of the Dropbox Associate Programme.
Where are you from?
I am from a very rural area in the southwest of Germany, kind of in the middle of nowhere, to be honest – but we do get very good weather there, and we have amazing wine!
How long have you been in Ireland?
I only moved here in January, so it’s been four months (one of which I spent in San Francisco for my training).
Why did you move here?
I met Dropbox at a campus recruiting event at my university, applied for the job and – I couldn’t believe it – was actually offered the role. I really wanted to work in the IT industry, so I felt incredibly lucky that I got the job.
What work do you do?
I started with the Dropbox Associate Programme, which gave me the chance to experience both user operations and sales for awhile. I chose user operations because I like helping people. It can be challenging at times, but mostly it is a very rewarding job to help our business customers use Dropbox and to help improve the product.
How would you describe your working environment?
It’s an amazing place, somewhere in between professional and a big playground where you can have a lot of fun. There are so many opportunities to grow here.
What do you like most about your job?
The best parts are my colleagues and our culture here. I never thought I would say so, but I do look forward to going to work every morning – even on Mondays.
Was it difficult to adjust to living and working in Ireland?
I usually need some time to adjust to a new place, but here I instantly felt at home. One reason for this was that my colleagues all turned into friends quickly, but also I like the style of living in Dublin. The people are very easygoing and friendly and, of course, you can always find a pub around the corner.
What surprised you about moving to Ireland?
When I came for my interview in August 2013, it was 30°C, blue skies and sunshine, and the kids were swimming in the Docklands. I kind of hoped that this was what it was going to be like all the time!
How does your working life help to make you feel at home here?
My colleagues are very outgoing and we hang out together a lot. I actually became housemates with one of my co-workers and two of his friends and it’s worked out great.
What do you like most about your adopted home?
I like that I can go for a run on the beach, that I can go surfing on the west coast, that Ireland is incredibly green and beautiful, and that Dublin is exactly the right size for me. It’s not too big so you would feel lost, but it’s big enough to feel multicultural and a little cosmopolitan.
