Although there are many reasons why Slovakia is interesting, we became a member of European Union in 2004 and we are still trying to make life in our country better. We want to improve the economy, create job vacancies, get higher salaries and a higher level of education as well. These are things that are not as usual in Slovakia as they are in western countries in Europe. That's why especially young people feel like experiencing foreign countries, such as Ireland.

 Why come to Ireland?
 “I came here because of English and to earn some money,” Marian admits. He is a man from a group of Slovaks I talked to just to get their ideas and feelings about Ireland. They invited me to their house, offered me food and drink and even though they hadn't wanted to express their emotions in the beginning, they soon started to talk about everything.
“Ireland was one of the first countries which opened labour market for us,” says Marian, who is already in Ireland for the second time. He adds that it's easier to find a well-paid job in Ireland than in Slovakia where the rate of unemployment is about 20-30%, depending on the region.
 “But if I didn't have to come here, I wouldn't,” Tomas joins our discussion, “Actually, I don't know anyone who plans to stay here for the rest of his life.” On the other hand, all the Slovaks in the living room admit that it's hard to go back home. “You have a job here, you see the sense of work you do, you earn money and even if you miss Slovakia, you can't go back as it's not possible to live there in such a luxury you have in Ireland.”

Friendly but without knowledge?
As Slovakia used to be one state with the Czech Republic until 1993, not all Irish people know they split up. They don't even know that Bratislava is the capital. Some Slovaks are angry about that. “Some days ago, there was a documentary about our country on Irish channel. It presented two people. One of them was gypsy from the Eastern Slovakia talking about how bad the life there is. Another one was strange retired man who loves skating. What may Irish think about Slovakia if they see such a programme?” Tomas wonders.
On the other hand, every Slovak in the house agrees that they don't feel like foreigners in Ireland. “Irish people are very friendly,” they think. Only Tomas has a different point of view. “I guess, the first impression is the most important for Irish people, you simply never get second chance,” Tomas says and continues, “Moreover, some of young people are very aggressive.”

Differences in parties
“I've read Ireland is suitable place for bringing up children,” Marian mentions the next reason for coming to Cork. They have two small children in the house and want them to attend nursery school so that they can speak English as soon as possible. “I think this environment is good for children until they're 15. Then they start going to the parties and become worse and worse,” Tomas says. When I asked the Slovaks what they didn't like about Ireland, the answer was easy. “There is not many possibilities what to do. In Slovakia we are used to do sports for example. Here, you can only see young people going to the discos and drinking there. Parties at houses are not as usual in Slovakia as they are in Ireland. People in Central Europe go to the discos to dance until morning.” Tomas organizes such a dance parties in Cork, just for Slovaks and Czechs. “The reason for having those parties is simple- meeting new people, people from our country, talking in our language, having fun,” Tomas reveals, “but it used to be better fun there. Not so many people come to the party anymore,” the organiser adds sadly.
 There are about 15,000 Slovaks registered in Ireland. Slovak, and also Czech communities, are quite strong, especially in Cork and Dublin. “When I came here and I saw how high standard of living Irish do have, I know now that it's possible to achieve the same situation in Slovakia as well,” Marian expresses his opinion and compares, “In our country, I think, everything is influenced by politics. In Ireland I don't hear about it at all.”
 Ireland simply provides to immigrants from Slovakia conditions they don't have at home. But they certainly miss their homeland and food- mustard and Slovak sausages let's say.  These are the things they miss the most.