Today marks exactly two months since I left Cairo for my new software engineering job in Dublin.
The transition has been an exciting journey, but it certainly comes with a steep learning curve.
The most obvious adjustment has been the completely unpredictable Irish weather.
Back in Egypt, I was used to endless sunshine and clear blue skies every day.
Here, I have quickly learned to never leave my apartment without a sturdy umbrella.
It can be brightly sunny one minute and pouring rain the very next.
The people in Dublin, however, are incredibly warm, friendly, and welcoming to newcomers.
Locals always greet me with a smile and are happy to give helpful directions.
Yet, I am still getting used to their rather indirect way of communicating.
My colleagues rarely give a direct negative answer when we discuss project timelines at work.
Instead, they say things might be a bit difficult, which actually means they are impossible.
Finding a permanent place to live was another major hurdle during my first few weeks.
The housing market near the city center is incredibly competitive and quite expensive.
I finally found a cozy one-bedroom apartment in a quiet, leafy suburban neighborhood.
It takes longer to commute, but the peaceful environment is absolutely worth the extra time.
Despite all these positive changes, I cannot help but deeply miss my family back home.
I miss my mother's amazing cooking and the loud, cheerful dinners with my siblings.
We have long video calls every weekend, which definitely helps to bridge the physical distance.
I am looking forward to exploring more of Ireland once I feel completely settled.
For now, I will just focus on writing excellent code and staying completely dry!