Im Frühling 2024 verbrachten 21 Lernende der Wirtschaftsschule KV Winterthur drei Wochen in Dublin, 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 erzählen die Lernenden, was sie erlebt haben.

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

Comparing Cities: Life in Dublin and Zurich (Patrik)

Dublin buzzes with life, its buildings and people close together, creating a vibrant if crowded cityscape. This proximity breeds community but sacrifices space, in contrast to the tidy vastness of Switzerland. Dublin’s city-centre is accessible with trams, buses, and trains, but the suburbs are sadly less connected. Not to mention the occasional wayward bus, a far cry from Swiss precision.

The soul of the city is its people: open, engaging, and vibrant. They offer a welcome that’s immediate and warm, inviting conversations with strangers at bus stops or in pubs. This contrasts with the Swiss, who are polite but reserved. In Dublin, you feel welcome despite the city’s rougher edges. Furthermore, the wide range of leisure activities, from museums and galleries to leafy parks, offers something for everyone, whatever the weather.

Dublin’s culinary scene also reflects its social tapestry – diverse and robust. From traditional Irish stews to international cuisine. In Irish pubs it is often accompanied by live music. This culinary diversity is yet another facet that sets Dublin apart from Zurich, which lacks such quality gastronomic variety. In Dublin, every meal is an opportunity for shared enjoyment, reflecting the city’s ethos of sharing and connecting.

Dublin may lack the tidiness of Switzerland, but it compensates with a uniquely vibrant spirit.

Life in Dublin permanent? (Livia)

According to recent studies, the decision to settle permanently in a new country or city is often influenced by various factors, such as personal experience. As I think about my three-week stay with a host family, I consider whether I can imagine living for a longer period in Dublin. To find out, I have rated Dublin with three aspects from my personal experience.

First, we have the parcs and the landscape in Dublin. I must say these are pretty. If you walk in the city, you can find a lot of parcs nearby. The parcs are tidy and are perfect for a picnic with friends, to hangout or even to do sports. The landscape in Dublin especially when you go to the sea is breathtaking. I loved to see the sea lions and Seagulls at the sea, this was very special.

The Public transport in Dublin has its good and bad sides. They have Busses, Trains and Tramways so you have a lot of options from to choose. Good to know is that you must raise your arm at the Bus stop, because only then the Bus will stop and let you in. If you want to be punctual, then the public transport of Ireland is nothing for you. The Bus often arrived late or even better didn’t even came to pick me up. Somehow you always reach your destination but not always on time and not so simple.

Safety is a big aspect for me. During the day I felt safe in Dublin but after 7 pm it was scary walking through the streets. In Dublin there is a lot of homelessness and because of that you often see scary things. I saw a homeless man who almost died on the streets, a big fight between people and some friends of mine even got approached by a gang. Al these things made me not want to go out after 7 pm and especially not want to walk or even be alone.

After all, I wouldn’t like to life in Dublin for a longer period of time because I think it’s better for my own safety.

Comparing Life in Dublin to Life in Switzerland (Susanne)

Living in Dublin and Switzerland offers different experiences characterised by cultural, economic and environmental factors. Dublin is a vibrant city with a rich cultural scene and a dynamic atmosphere. The cost of living is high, comparable to Switzerland, except that we also earn more in Switzerland. In contrast, Switzerland offers one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Dublin offers a variety of leisure activities, including numerous pubs, music venues and historical sites such as Trinity College and Dublin Castle. The city also has green spaces such as Phoenix Park and Saint Stepens’s Green. Switzerland offers leisure activities closely linked to its stunning natural landscapes, such as skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Swiss cities are rich in cultural attractions such as museums and theatres.

Public transport in Dublin includes buses, trams and trains, but they can be unreliable and overcrowded, leading to traffic congestion as there are no dedicated bus lanes. Switzerland has one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world, with punctual, clean and well-connected trains, buses and trams that make travelling around the country convenient.

To summarise, Dublin offers a culturally rich environment with a high cost of living and transport challenges, while Switzerland offers a high standard of living, excellent public services and a beautiful natural environment, albeit at a high cost.

Is Dublin a city I could easily spend the rest of my life? (Nina)

I could spend my past three weeks in Dublin. Dublin is the capital of the Republican of Ireland and has over 500’000 Inhabitants. It is not only known for the beer but also for the friendly and openhearted peoples. The moment we stept foot into the Island everyone was welcoming. And exactly that is positive and the opposite between the Irish and the Swiss People.

Furthermore, the people in Ireland does not need to work as much as we do. A normal day in Ireland starts at about 9am and goes to 4pm. After that you have free time.

The housing is pretty much the same as we know it back at home. Although this sounds perfect, we are going to look at the city. A beautiful city with much of sightseeing’s and stores such as Zurich. But whenever you look around you will see homeless people, rubbish, drugs or other different kind of things. You cannot compare it with Switzerland.

Overall Dublin is not my city I could spend the rest of my life, but I would love to come and visit it again.

Comparing Irland to Switzerland (Marco)

Living in Dublin for the past three weeks has been quite an eye-opening experience for me, especially coming from Switzerland. This city has its unique charm and appeal, but with what I have seen it’s influenced with some unsettling encounters during my short stay.

Firstly, the living conditions in Dublin have been somewhat challenging. What really left an impression on me is how the houses are small build but poorly insulated; during the night and morning, it got cold, and on hot days, it felt like a sauna in there. While there are nice neighbourhoods, we’ve also had some unsettling experiences, which has made us more cautious about where we go and when.

Leisure activities in Dublin have been mixed. On one hand, there are lots of exciting things to do: vibrant pubs, cultural events, and beautiful parks. However, the city also has a rougher side that can be intimidating for tourists, especially after encountering risky situations. It’s made me appreciate the safety and security of my hometown.

Public transport in Dublin is efficient but can be crowded and sometimes uncomfortable, similar to what I experienced in Switzerland. We’ve relied on buses and trams to get around, which can be a bit chaotic during busy times.

Reflecting on these experiences, I must admit that Dublin hasn’t left the best impression on me. While it’s exciting and culturally rich, the safety issues and overall vibe have made me appreciate the calm and orderliness of Switzerland even more. Moving forward, I would need to carefully consider whether Dublin is the right place for me to live long-term, given my priorities and concerns.

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