Im Frühling 2023 verbrachten 17 Lernende der Wirtschaftsschule KV Winterthur drei Wochen in Cork, Irland. Eine Woche davon hatten sie Englisch-Unterricht und zwei Wochen absolvierten sie ein Praktikum in den Bereichen Administration, Tourismus und Detailhandel. Sie lebten bei irischen Gastfamilien und nahmen an mehreren Tages-Exkursionen und Abendaktivitäten teil. In kurzen Erlebnisberichten und Videos zeigen die Lernenden, was sie erlebt haben und vergleichen das Leben in der Schweiz und in Irland.

Der Aufenthalt wurde sehr grosszügig von der Stiftung «movetia» finanziell unterstützt. Lernende aus Betrieben, die DualogW-Partner sind, erhielten zusätzlich einen Beitrag der Wirtschaftsschule KV Winterthur.

Comparison of life in Cork to life in Switzerland

The life in Cork has many differences to our life in Switzerland. I will describe these differences in the following text with some experiences I made during the language stay.
My first impression is that people in Cork are more open and helpful than in Switzerland. When I started my internship at the coffee shop many customers asked me if I was new or where I’m from. Because of that interest I was able to have a lot of interesting conversations. The second difference is about the schools in Cork. When I was on my way to the city I saw students in school uniforms. I asked my host mother about the schools in Cork and she told me that the girls and boys go to separate schools. I was surprised about that fact because here in Switzerland there are hardly any such separate schools any more. Another big difference compare to Switzerland is the public transport. My bus had to get to the city in normal traffic without a separate bus line and during rush hours there were always traffic jams. Because of that I was never on time. It was interesting to get to know the Irish culture and to see the differences between the two countries.

Cork – the perfect place to live?

The city of cork, in Irish Corcaigh, lies in the south of Ireland and is located inland near the Irish southwest coast. During my time in Ireland, I was able to see what attracts people to cork, and what might drive them away. One positive aspect of the city is the improvement the city has gotten thanks to the popularity of the local university college. Great examples are the parks everywhere around the city and along the Lee River, which are frequented by students during lunch, people walking their dog and hobby fishers, which go fishing along the river. Cork is also a great example of the Irish hospitality; most city inhabitants are friendly and welcoming to tourists and students studying in the city. The crime rate is low, and a vast majority of neighborhoods are safe. Most neighborhoods consist of generally smaller and terraced houses, that are common in Ireland and the UK. Even though the weather is mainly colder in Ireland, most houses turn off the heating in the evening and are not well insulated. Personally, I would live in cork if I ever decided to live in Ireland and start a family, but I would not stay there as a young adult who doesn’t study at the university, as the city was built mainly for families.

Comparing life in Cork with life in Switzerland

I had a blast during my stay in Ireland. It was fun doing all the activities with my friends. Although I enjoyed my time there, I couldn’t help but notice that there’s a big cultural difference between life in Cork and that in Switzerland. In this Article I’d like to talk about that. One of the biggest differences is the behavior of the people. People in Switzerland are generally more reserved and discrete, but in Ireland the people are very open and kind to strangers. I noticed that most at bus stations and in shops. They’re always ready to chat or have a little small talk. I also noticed that the Irish are very down to earth and don’t brag about money or achievements. Another one is that nearly all the shops and stores in the city are open on Sundays. Whereas in Switzerland everything is closed on that weekday, cities are filled with people ready to shop or having fun with their friends in the parks. It might not seem like it, but Switzerland is far superior in some aspects. For example, the traffic system, the food or the overall quality of life is far better than that in Ireland. There were days were our bus barely moved because all the traffic lights were red. I also didn’t enjoy the tab water because of its heavy reek of chloride. But all in all, it was an amazing experience. If I could I’d go again. Although I would go to Dublin or Galway. I’d love to see more of the country’s beautiful landscapes.

Differences between Winterthur and Cork

Cork and Winterthur have a few things in common. Both city centers are lovely and colorful. There are plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities to hang out with your friends. Nevertheless, Winterthur is still very different from Cork because Switzerland has a higher standard of living. In Cork, the houses are heated only very sparingly for a few hours, which we in Switzerland could not imagine. Moreover, it is normal for us Swiss people to take a warm, long shower and drink the tap water without thinking. In Ireland, people take short showers with a white heating box in them, and the tap water tastes very strongly of chlorine, so people do not drink it. But the biggest difference is punctuality. In Switzerland, it is essential to always be there on time or even a little earlier. In Cork, it is no big deal when you get there late. The people in Cork are also much friendlier and offer their help faster than the people in Switzerland. In Cork, it is normal to start a conversation with strangers when sitting next to each other on the bus. All in all, it was a very educational and exciting time together with my friends, which we enjoyed to the fullest.

Cork vs. Zurich: Same continent but various lifestyles

Cork, located on the southern coast of Ireland, and Zurich, settled in the heart of Switzerland, are two vibrant cities that offer distinct lifestyles and cultural experiences. In this article, we will compare life in Cork to life in Zurich and showing of the differences. One of the first noticeable disparities between the two cities is the public transportation. Zurich outshines Cork. It has a highly efficient and reliable public transportation system, with an extensive network of trams, buses, and trains. Zurich’s transportation system is not only well organized but also renowned for its punctuality. In comparison, while Cork has a public transportation system, it may not be as comprehensive or as efficient as Zurich’s, making private vehicles a more popular choice for getting around the city. This is resulting in long traffic jams. In terms of cost of living, Zurich tends to be significantly more expensive than Cork. The standard of living in Switzerland is high. Especially in Zurich, housing, food and everyday expenses are much higher than in Cork. Cork offers a more budget-friendly lifestyle in comparison. When it comes to the residents itself, there are big differences in the atmosphere. While people in Zurich have a fast lifestyle and have to rush from one appointment to the next, the Irish take life in a more chilled way. The Irish are always friendly and are always ready to help. In conclusion, Cork and Zürich offer contrasting lifestyles and cultural experiences. It is up to you to decide which lifestyle you prefer. Cork definitely takes the point in terms of costs. But maybe you like the speedy lifestyle of Zurich. Nevertheless, both cities are totally worth it for a short- and longtime visit.

A Comparison of Life in Cork, Ireland and Switzerland

Cork, Ireland, and Switzerland can be compared very well, because they are very similar. Cork showcases a vibrant cultural heritage with traditional music, and historic landmarks. In contrast, Switzerland has popular craftsmanship, Alpine traditions, and a thriving arts scene. Switzerland’s strong economy, known for banking, and a very strong medicine, provides high wages and excellent social welfare. Cork has experienced economic growth, particularly in technology and medicine sectors, what is attracting international companies and which are creating job opportunities. Switzerland consistently ranks high in quality of life with efficient infrastructure, excellent healthcare, and a commitment to sustainability. Cork offers a friendly atmosphere, lower cost of living especially real estate, quality education, and good healthcare. Switzerland’s beautiful Alpine scenery offers skiing, hiking, and mountaineering opportunities. The climate in Switzerland offers you a seasonal experience which you won’t find often. Cork is known for stunning natural landscapes, such as the Ring of Kerry. Cork’s temperate climate, rugged coastline, and lush green fields create a serene backdrop for outdoor activities. To sum up, the choice between Cork and Switzerland depends on individual preferences. Weather you choose Switzerland’s economic prowess, efficiency, and the Alpine landscapes. Or, Cork’s rich cultural heritage, emerging economy, and warm hospitality.

Compare life in Cork to life in Switzerland

For the last three weeks I was in Ireland and during this time I noticed some different between Switzerland and Ireland. One thing that is completely different to Switzerland is the cooking style. Even Ireland is an European country the food taste completely different. The potatoes are common ingredient, and the Irish people like to eat it. Even when they eat pizza, they have a bowl of chips aside. Here in Switzerland, we produce fresh bread and different types of bread. However, the Irish people eat most of the time toast. From Switzerland we are very spoiled as far as public transport is concerned. A lot of students must take the bus in Ireland for visiting school, so the buses are full. In the rush hours the streets are stuffed, and it’s possible that you spend one hour instead of 20 minuets for the same distance. There’re no extra lines or traffic lights for the bus as we have it in Switzerland. The biggest different to Switzerland is the ticket control. Every time you get on a bus you need to enter at the front door and show the ticket to the bus driver. In Switzerland you can board without a ticket and in most cases, you will not be checked. The windows in Ireland are not as tight as in Switzerland. If you sleep next to the window you need to wear an extra jacket, so you don’t freeze. In general, the houses in Ireland are not that large and not built as sturdy as ours.

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