Armando Camacho, a Domino DBA architect at Pramerica, tells us why he chose Ireland as a place to live and work, and the joy of a 10-minute commute.
Where are you from?
I’m from Mexico City, Mexico. Living in a city of 22m people is madness. For example, it took me 80 minutes to bring my kids to school; after that, I spent another 70 minutes getting to the office and, since everyone is in the same situation, you think a commute like that is normal. So when I started to have a 10-minute commute here in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, I realised what’s considered normal in some places is far different in other areas.
How long have you been in Ireland?
I came to Ireland in December 2005, so I’ve Iived here for nine years.
Why did you move here?
A different quality of life. I was looking for a place to live where I could have more work-life balance.
What work do you do?
I work with Domino technology, implementing changes and reviewing development proposals. I also research new technologies and determine the impact these technologies will have on our current systems architecture.
How would you describe your working environment?
Pramerica is a very friendly place to work. It’s also very multicultural so you have the opportunity to learn about different cultures. Irish friendliness is something that you can always count on.
What do you like most about your job?
Flexible working hours and the ability to work remotely from home.
Was it difficult to adjust to living and working in Ireland?
For the most part, it wasn’t difficult. But the weather here is far different from the sunny days I enjoyed in Mexico. Now, when there is a good summer day in Ireland, I rush outdoors to enjoy it. Some people cannot live without the food they are used to in their homeland, but I think you can always adapt to what is available.
What surprised you about moving to Ireland?
The size of Letterkenny surprised me. Most of the neighbourhoods that I have lived in are larger than Letterkenny, but you can still find all the services you need here – a library, hospital, movie theatre, etc. Letterkenny is actually the main hub for the county.
How does your working life help to make you feel at home here?
Pramerica ensures its employees feel a sense of belonging. It could be their work group or a business resource group where you share a common interest with its members.
What do you like most about your adopted home?
I love the access I have to the beautiful natural surroundings and my 10-minute drive to the beach is priceless!