Dubliner in Germany: 30 Years of Life Abroad
From Irish Ice to German Ground: An Expat’s Perspective on a Shifting Nation
Table of Contents
A Hockey Player’s Journey to Krefeld
For Liam Hurley,a move to Germany was initially about more than just career prospects; it was a chance to build a new social life. A keen hockey player in his youth,Hurley joined a club upon relocating to Germany,a decision that not only helped him forge new connections but also led him to meet his wife,Sabine. The couple, now proud grandparents, have settled in the city of Krefeld, a location offering a convenient commute to Ornua’s German headquarters.
germany’s Infrastructure: A Tale of Two Eras
Hurley’s initial impressions of Germany were overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding its infrastructure and perceived efficiency, especially when contrasted with Ireland at the time of his move. However, years of austerity policies and underinvestment have, in his view, significantly altered this landscape. He observes a noticeable decline in infrastructure standards, mirroring a downturn in the education sector.
“Ireland is now more advanced than Germany in many ways,” Hurley states, reflecting a sentiment that challenges common perceptions. He elaborates on the current state of German infrastructure,noting,”Germany now has a very poor telephone infrastructure. Most of the bridges crossing the Rhine here are in a state of disrepair.The train service has developed a poor level of punctuality, bureaucracy has exploded and everything is incredibly slow. Things have gone noticeably downhill.”
Economic Ripples: The Construction Sector’s Struggles
the challenges extend to the construction industry, where a shortage of skilled labor is impacting competitiveness. Employers are finding it increasingly challenging to fill apprenticeship roles, leading to a more selective approach from tradespeople.
“Because they have limited numbers of skilled workers and concerns about continuity, builders, plumbers and electricians have got picky and choosy about the work they want to do and prices gone up consequently,” Hurley explains. This scarcity of skilled professionals is creating a ripple effect, driving up costs and potentially hindering development projects.
The German Psyche: Reserved Yet Humorous
Despite the acknowledged challenges, Hurley maintains that the overall living standards in Germany remain high for the majority of its citizens, and the economy is fundamentally robust. He expresses hope that the recently installed government will successfully implement its aspiring investment plans to revitalise the nation’s infrastructure.
Living immersed in what he calls the ”German cosmos” in Krefeld, Hurley emphasizes the importance of language proficiency for true integration. “it’s very crucial to speak the language if you want to really become part of German society and to be understood and understand others. I am fluent – which is a great advantage.”
While acknowledging that Germans have become less formal in recent years, Hurley describes them as still being reserved. “People won’t greet each other and will avoid eye contact. In ireland you can strike up a conversation with a stranger in a bar. That doesn’t happen ofen here.”
Contrary to a common stereotype, Hurley asserts that Germans possess a sense of humour, albeit one that requires a nuanced approach.”you can’t slag people off here and assume that they will find that funny, but they do have a black sense of humour. Germans famously love punctuality, but the reality is sometimes different. The trains don’t always run on time these days, so there’s many jokes made about that.” This observation highlights a subtle but significant aspect of German social interaction, where humour is appreciated but frequently enough expressed with a degree of self-awareness and irony.