Corkonians Abroad:  Irish accent and work ethic has helped to open doors for me

How did you end up in Canada, Paula?

We moved to Grande Prairie city in Canada in 2014.

My husband, Alan, had lost his job as a carpenter when the company closed - he picked up work in waste collection, but we were barely getting by.

We had attended a working abroad workshop in Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork city years before, and out of the blue we got a call from Visa First looking for an updated résumé for my husband, as a builder was interested in it.

What we originally thought was a scam turned out to be the start of our life here in Canada.

My husband moved two months later to Grande Prairie, and myself and my two-year-old daughter Sarah followed in July, 2014.

How is life in your new home?

It’s been a whirlwind of adventure! We settled in Grande Prairie and made amazing friends, but then my career took off and the company I work for had other plans for us.

We moved to a little town called Vegreville and spent 18 months there, and now we have moved again to another town in northern Alberta called Cold Lake.

Life is way more laid-back here. Traffic and the daily struggle of getting to and from work is no longer an issue we must face.

What has been the biggest challenge? And how have you tackled it?

Missing family and friends from home, not being there for birthdays, weddings, milestones, etc. Seeing my nieces and nephews grow up over WhatsApp rather than in person and not being there to help in the tough times really takes a toll.

We try to get home every two years but it’s pricey and not always feasible, so I make sure to call someone every day, either my parents or my sisters.

It helps keep me sane, and I get to continue to be the annoying little sister, even though I am thousands of miles away!

How might you spend your weekends in Canada?

We live near a beautiful lake beach, so on Saturday mornings we like to have coffee on the beach or go for a cycle.

My husband’s a carpenter again so he’s always tinkering away with something in his workshop.

Our kids, Sarah and Joey, always have some friends over or activities going on, or else we’re off on an adventure somewhere to visit friends. Driving eight hours for a visit here seems totally normal!

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

Our community is situated near three First Nations reserves, which allows us to be deeply immersed in Indigenous culture. It brings a rich connection to traditions, languages, and ways of life that emphasise community, storytelling, respect for the land, and a strong sense of identity and resilience.

Every meeting I host I need to begin by giving thanks to the land, and the people of the land where I live and work.

Nightlife is very much laid back, when you go for one or two, it’s one or two. You don’t go ‘out, out ‘ very often. A lot more backyard fires and off-road adventures rather than the typical clubbing scene.

Driving long distances seems totally normal to people here. A friend recently took a four-hour detour just to pop in to say hello!

Last weekend, we drove six hours to bring my daughter to an airport, then another eight hours to visit friends and eight hours to drive home. The highways are less busy than Ireland!

Flying is so expensive here, I do miss cheap flights!

Then there is the snow! We’ve gotten so used to thick snow and minus 50 degrees Celsius temperatures in the winter, I almost forgot to include that for culture shock!

It’s great, though. Life carries on and you would never miss a day of work for a snow day, even if it means you’re up at 5am digging your way out of your house!

Tell us about your line of work/career?

I am a bank manager. I’ve worked for the same company since I came here. I started as a teller and worked my way up quickly.

I love my job and the company I work for, they go over and above to wrap their arms around employees and make them feel like family.

Tell us your thoughts on opportunity - and how a different part of the world might offer more opportunities?

One thing I’ll say about Irish people - we’re known for our strong work ethic and, of course, our accent that gets recognised everywhere! People really respond to it, and in my experience, that work ethic and accent has actually helped open doors and move my career forward.

I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I’d become a bank manager. But when you leave home, there’s this inner drive to prove yourself and make the journey count.

Yes, we work hard - but that hard work gets noticed. And truly, there’s a world of opportunities out there for anyone - you just must start looking.

Are there any wider societal issues that you see in Ireland that aren’t a problem in your new home? Or vice versa?

There are so many differences, but one that really stands out is the free healthcare here.

People often complain about the medical system in Canada, but I’ve personally found it to be exceptional.

When I’ve needed urgent care, I’ve been able to visit walk-in clinics where I was seen, been X-rayed, diagnosed, and prescribed treatment - all in one visit. That kind of access and efficiency still amazes me.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

We often see bears, moose, or coyotes and that still gets my heart thumping!

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Of course, my wonderful parents, Mary and Patrick, my sisters, Nadine and Chantal, and their beautiful families, and all my O’Shea in-laws! Also, a shout-out to Mary and Patrick Ruff.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would the ideal day be for you?

A nice Irish breakfast, followed by a walk along Garrettstown Beach, maybe a trip to Youghal, bring the kids to Perks, and a big gathering so I could hug all my family and friends again !

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

My parents are coming to visit me! My daughter Sarah, 13, travelled solo from Calgary to Cork and she is coming back with my mum and dad! To say I cannot wait is an understatement, counting down the seconds!

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

I miss the people... the craic. I miss going into Centra for a breakfast roll and walking through Patrick Street, taking in all the hustle and bustle!