CROATIA: THE DANGER OF EXODUS – CROATIE : LE PÉRIL DE L’EXODE

But economic failures do not explain everything. Ana-Maria Hota, originally from Zagreb, had everything she needed to stay in her country. “I owned a hair salon and business was going pretty well,” she recalls. Yet, in September 2013, she moved to Dublin with her husband, who works in computer science, and their two children. “Inequality, corruption, lack of opportunities make it impossible to believe in Croatia’s future,” says Ana-Maria. In Ireland, on the other hand, “we can move quickly from a professional point of view” and “children are encouraged to think with their heads at school”. It is true that going away has also meant putting some friends and relatives behind us, convinced that “those who leave the country are in a way traitors to the fatherland”. After her move, Ana-Maria launched the Zivot u Dublinu blog (“LIFE-IN-DUBLIN.COM“), which in just a few years has reached more than 2 million page views and provides readers with practical advice on settling in Ireland. “I want to inspire my compatriots so that they are not afraid to leave. Here, they would feel much better, “promises Ana-Maria Hota.

Mais les ratés économiques n’expliquent pas tout. Ana-Maria Hota, originaire de Zagreb, avait tout ce qui lui fallait pour rester dans son pays. «J’étais propriétaire d’un salon de coiffure et les affaires marchaient assez bien», se souvient-elle. Pourtant, en septembre 2013, elle a déménagé à Dublin avec son mari, qui travaille dans l’informatique, et leurs deux enfants. «Les inégalités, la corruption, le manque d’opportunités font en sorte qu’il est impossible de croire en l’avenir en Croatie», explique Ana-Maria. En Irlande, au contraire, «on peut avancer vite du point de vue professionnel» et «les enfants sont encouragés à penser avec leur tête à l’école». Certes, partir a signifié aussi se mettre à dos quelques amis et parents, convaincus que «ceux qui quittent le pays sont en quelque sorte des traîtres à la patrie». Après son déménagement, Ana-Maria a lancé le blog Zivot u Dublinu («Vivre à Dublin»), qui a atteint en quelques années plus de 2 millions de pages vues et qui fournit aux lecteurs des conseils pratiques sur l’installation en Irlande. «Je veux inspirer mes compatriotes pour qu’ils n’aient pas peur de partir. Ici, ils se sentiraient beaucoup mieux», promet Ana-Maria Hota.

Link: www.liberation.fr

IRELAND VS SCOTLAND: WHERE WILL YOU GO?

I love the friendliness of the people, the nature and the nightlife. Dublin is not a huge city, so it’s easy to see all of the interesting spots if you’re coming for a holiday. Some pubs in Temple bar have a live music from 12pm till midnight. They are full of tourists from all over the world and you can feel an atmosphere of nightlife even at 3 pm. I believe that’s quite unique. I love the nature and in a 30 minutes journey you could be on a 5km long sandy Portmarnock beach. And while you’re there, a few kilometres down the road there is a beautiful Malahide castle and gardens. Dublin Castle is also a must visit place, Trinity college, Phoenix park, Stephen’s Green Park. Most of the museums in Dublin have a free entry all year around. If you have time, definitely visit Powerscourt Gardens, voted as top 10 gardens in the world. There is a cute waterfall nearby worth visiting.

IRELAND VS SCOTLAND: WHERE WILL YOU GO?

I love the friendliness of the people, the nature and the nightlife. Dublin is not a huge city, so it’s easy to see all of the interesting spots if you’re coming for a holiday. Some pubs in Temple bar have a live music from 12pm till midnight. They are full of tourists from all over the world and you can feel an atmosphere of nightlife even at 3 pm. I believe that’s quite unique. I love the nature and in a 30 minutes journey you could be on a 5km long sandy Portmarnock beach. And while you’re there, a few kilometres down the road there is a beautiful Malahide castle and gardens. Dublin Castle is also a must visit place, Trinity college, Phoenix park, Stephen’s Green Park. Most of the museums in Dublin have a free entry all year around. If you have time, definitely visit Powerscourt Gardens, voted as top 10 gardens in the world. There is a cute waterfall nearby worth visiting.

What Irish do in the city is have an afternoon tea in The Shelbourne hotel, try to find a secret location of “The Blind Pig” Speakeasy prohibition bar, and if you’re like me, more into bars than pubs, weekend evenings are perfect to be spent in one of the bars in Dawson Street. During the day, have a walk around South William’s Street, Grafton Street. Have a stroll along the river Liffey and check out Dublin’s technology hub in Grand canal dock, where companies like Facebook and Google have their European HQ. It’s also the most international and youngest area in the city with modern architecture. – Ana Maria, Life in Dublin

Link: www.tourradar.com

MEN IN IRELAND DON’T WHISTLE WHEN YOU’RE WALKING BY

Author Ana-Marija Hota: A woman who moved her family to Dublin after her native Croatia’s accession to the EU believes life is easier for women in Ireland…

Link: www.irishtimes.com

THE IRISH TIMES – BEST SHOPS 2015 ” Conor Pope gets pampered “

As part of Irish Times Best Shops 2015 competition Conor Pope visits the Grooming Rooms on South William Street, Dublin for a hot towel shave and express pedicure. In this video you can see how great hot towel shave Ana-Marija did for famous Irish Times reporter.

More here: www.irishtimes.com

CROATIAN NATIONAL RADIO TELEVISION – BROADCAST LABYRINTH

Appendix “Lightness of life” of the new Croatian emigration in the Republic of Ireland. In the show, you can find answers to many questions such as:
What are the reasons for moving out of Croatia? What advantages emigrants Croats emphasize after arrival and work in the new country? Why new emigrants do not trouble homesickness? Why new residents of Ireland are considering not returning to their homeland….

Croatian National Television spent couple of days in Dublin, Ireland and interviewed the author of a popular blog Life-in-dublin.com and Zivot-u-dublinu.com Ana-Marija Hota, she showed them her favourite spots and talked about her life in Ireland.

More here: www.hrt.hr

CROATIAN NATIONAL RADIO SHOW “THE BRIDGES”

The protagonists of the show are the new generation of young people from Croatia at “temporary work” abroad. Higher wages and better social security attract young people to other European countries, but also far beyond. Her migrant experiences will share ex. citizen from Zagreb Ana Maria Hota, author of the popular blog “Life-in-dublin.com” and zivot-u-dublinu.com
At the other end of the world, from New Zealand, further experiences will share Tomislav Perko, while the journalist Sanja Babic settled in Thailand with valuable insights.

GONE WITH FAMILY IN IRELAND: BELOVED COUNTRY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME, SPITED ON ME, RAN OVER AND MADE FUN OF ME

Two months after the Croatian accession to the European Union, family Hota packed their luggage and booked a one-way tickets to Ireland. From the decision to realization, passed only three weeks. Since Ana-Marija by her twestimony, was not able to provide her family what they were needed, she decided to leave. As the aircraft approached the destination, her memories became more and more turbulent.

More here: www.vecernji.hr

“POLITICIANS CRYING OVER US WHO LEFT CROATIA, BUT THEY DID NOT CARE ABOUT US WHILE DEVASTATING OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY”

“Listening to the stories of previous emigrants, how in a foreign country you are always a foreigner, I expected to feel like a second-class citizen, fortunately that did not happen. In almost two years I gave my resignation twice and  from the last year completely satisfied with the current workplace. It stretches on five floors, and is considered as the best beauty center in Ireland.” This is a story of Ana-Marija Hota, famous author of the blog life-in-dublin.com and zivot-u-dublinu.com

More here: www.index.hr

“OTHER NATIONS ABOUT CROATS: WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL, MEN ARE DRINKING A LOT OF BEER AND BEHAVE LIKE RUSSIANS”

Blogger Ana-Marija Hota, revealed in her latest article about how foreigners perceive Croatians and Croatia. Specifically, she decided to collect in one place some of, in her opinion, the best statements that she had opportunity to hear from a strangers with whom she met in Ireland.

We concentrated on this occasion on the question which, we are sure, at least once set many Croats – Does foreigners have too idyllic, and even superficial image of our country, considering that Croatians are constantly getting compliments, and considering the fact that many of them are amazed why Croats want to emigrate?

More here: www.index.hr

IRISH LESSON TO CHURCH: MUST GET CLOSER TO PEOPLE

Equality of all citizens was the thought of people in Ireland who voted Yes for gay marriages, tells us author Ana-Maria Hota from Zagreb which currently live in Ireland.

More here: www.vecernji.hr

LIFE IN IRELAND – HOW ANA FOUND HAPPINES IN DUBLIN

Another in a row life story. Ana-Marija Hota is the cool girl I’ve had a chance to meet a few years ago in Zagreb. In September 2013, made a decision and along with her spouse and two children relocated to Ireland. This is her story…

More here: www.coolklub.com

I CROATI LIBERI DI LAVORARE IN EUROPA – IL PICCOLO

Sempre più Stati membri scelgono di aprire il proprio mercato del lavoro ai cittadini croati. É uno sviluppo positivo – ha affermato ieri il Commissario europeo Marianne Thyssen, responsabile proprio del portafoglio dell’Occupazione – la mobilità lavorativa è un’opportunità sia per i lavoratori che per le economie di arrivo». In Croazia, dove lo stipendio medio è di circa 700 euro e la disoccupazione di oltre il 15%, la “mobilità lavorativa” è già molto popolare.

Da un lato perché l’ottenimento del permesso di lavoro (necessario in quei paesi che mantengono le restrizioni) non è poi così difficile, dall’altro perché alcuni Paesi membri hanno già aperto completamente le proprie frontiere nel luglio 2013. Ecco che i giovani, di cui uno su due non ha lavoro in patria, non hanno aspettato due anni per iniziare il proprio esodo nell’Unione, partendo soprattutto in Irlanda, paese anglofono e “ad accesso libero”. É il caso di Ana-Maria Hota, nata a Zagabria nel 1982 e partita per Dublino appena due mesi dopo l’ingresso della Croazia nell’Ue, portandosi dietro marito e due figli. «Lavoravo come parrucchiera a Zagabria, nel mio proprio salone, ma avevo l’impressione di dare troppo al mio Paese, mentre c’erano sempre delle tasse nascoste dappertutto – racconta – Il sole, il buon cibo e i bei paesaggi non erano abbastanza per rendermi felice».

More here: www.ilpiccolo.it

“BE DIFFERENT” MY SHOW ON BABYLON RADIO DUBLIN

In Be Different, we talk about topics related to the life of expats, from homesickness to cultural differences. I invite interesting guests,  travel writers, famous and anonymous people who can inspire you and motivate you to try different things in life. During the show, you can listen to the best music from old and new pop and rock ballads to hits from current top lists. Be yourself,  be different.  Tune in every Thursday from 8-9pm.

More here: Babylonradio.com

INTERVIEW ANA-MARIJA HOTA ABOUT LIFE IN DUBLIN FOR ENTER ZAGREB RADIO

More here: www.youtube.com

“ST. PATRICK’S DAY” INTERVIEW FOR ENTER ZAGREB RADIO

Link: www.youtube.com

10 MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN IRELAND

More here: www.croexpress.eu

CROATS, THESE ARE THE 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF BEFORE MOVING TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY!

More here: www.dnevno.hr

NUR MIT DER SCHERE BEWAFFNET – ANA-MARIJAS STREBEN NACH GLÜCK

Dies ist ein kleiner Bericht einer Frau aus einem Frisörsalon der Hauptstadt eines kleinen Balkanstaates. Ihre Geschichte erschien nicht auf einer libertären Internetseite, die sich dezidiert mit den Lehren der Österreichischen Schule beschäftigt. Es ist eine einfache Geschichte einer einfachen Frau, die bis vor kurzem noch nie etwas von den Lehren Mengers und Mises gehört hat.

More here: www.freitum.de