Florenta Fugasin, candidate development recruiter at EMC Cork, tells us why she chose Ireland as a place to live and work, and how her job has taught her diplomacy and flexibility.
Where are you from?
I am from Bucharest, Romania. It’s a very big city, where you can always discover a new restaurant or go to a concert or a fashion event. We have the subway as well, which is making our transportation easier. We have really hot summers with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, and really cold winters with lots of snow.
How long have you been in Ireland?
I moved here in January 2014 and although it’s just been a few months it feels like I’ve been here for a longer time.
Why did you move here?
I wanted to see how it is to live in another country and how it feels to speak another language than your own. Also, I wished for a new professional and personal challenge, which I definitely found.
What work do you do?
I am a candidate development recruiter inside the talent acquisition team. Basically, I find the best people for the jobs that we have here in EMC Cork.
How would you describe your working environment?
Very busy, but friendly at the same time. It’s a very multicultural environment and you meet new people every day, which allows you to learn about other nationalities and cultures.
What do you like most about your job?
The fact that I have the chance to interact with numerous different people, improving my communication skills. I also like interacting with the recruitment candidates and the fact that I have learned to be more diplomatic.
Was it difficult to adjust to living and working in Ireland?
It was a little bit difficult to adjust to the weather and not see the sun for a couple of days! Also, sorting out the paperwork was a little bit time consuming, because you have to wait a long time to receive them.
What surprised you about moving to Ireland?
Actually, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew that it would be a little difficult adjusting to a new culture and that I would miss home and my friends but, at the same time, I was confident that everything would sort itself out. Also, I never knew that the colour green could be as green as it is here!
How does your working life help to make you feel at home here?
In the end, no matter where you live, you have to do your job and do it as well as possible in any given environment. But being part of another culture made me more open to learn and experience new things, and to be flexible and move out of my comfort zone.
What do you like most about your adopted home?
The fact that people are eating healthier and they try to have a healthy lifestyle. I love the food here; the butter and the scones. I also like meeting new people and improving my English. I love the people here, who are so open, friendly and chatty.
