Our kids and teens - SA2Eire

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Our kids and teens

Support for South African families moving to Ireland with children of all ages. This section covers education systems, extracurricular activities, and essential resources for adapting to life in Ireland. From enrolling in schools to exploring youth services, find everything you need to help your children thrive in their new environment.

You know when Miley Cyrus said, “I never would’ve believed you if three years ago you told me I’d be here”, in her ‘Malibu’ song? Well, trust me, I agree with that statement a thousand percent. I’m turning seventeen soon - my second birthday being celebrated in a new country. I am originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and am now living in the Republic of Ireland. It doesn’t sound like the most life changing experience saying it to someone who has never experienced it themselves, but it totally is. I’ve been here in Ireland for about a year and a half. I remember when my parents used to talk and tell my sister and I about moving, but I never thought it would actually happen. And it did; it happened quickly too. One second, we were in SA and in the next, we were among the green hills and surrounded by the good old Irish accents. I refused to move until I was finished high school in South Africa, that was my bargain, but it didn’t happen that way. So, when my parents were looking for places and areas of Ireland for us to move to, I had a look at the schools, and believe it or not, the school I chose was the deal breaker of where we ended up living. I chose a school that sounded and felt like home to me, and it ended up just like that. We live in a beautiful, quaint little town, with its very own lake. Now, I never wanted to move in the first place for various reasons, mainly because of the ‘not knowing’. I wasn’t really scared or nervous, but I didn’t want to leave what I already had. I never had many friends, but I had a few good ones, and I was in an amazing friend group. I was respected and people knew who I was. I worked so hard in school and got terrific marks, and everyone knew me and my no-nonsense ways. But then I had to leave my reputation and everything I worked so incredibly hard to build behind. I guess that’s what made me not want to leave. I ended up in fifth year within a few months of being here, which is technically grade 11. So, I basically skipped grade 10 (I was only in grade 10 in SA for a few weeks of the first term). I thought it wouldn’t work out, but it was a smooth transition. I had to rebuild my entire reputation again, go through two more years of school, and I would have to make friends. Friends. In this generation, might I add. I worked hard like I always do, and my results shone through. But I didn’t put as much pressure on myself as I did back in SA, because seriously, I just moved countries, I deserved a bit of a break. It’s just so much easier here to ask teachers for help, and the teacher student relationship is of a friendly respect. Not so much a strict, uptight system – well, for the school I attend. I love the Irish, and their ways. It’s a struggle to make friends, I’m not going to lie, so I’ve been very close to my sister. But, so far I’m working on it. I don’t mind being seen as the quiet loner sometimes, it’s not all bad. I absolutely love it here, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Believe me, I don’t think I would have said that the very first month I was here, but growth is necessary. I obviously miss our stunning South Africa, and everything lovely it came with. I haven’t turned my back on it, and I never will, its culture and heritage still strums in my bones and blood. I can now walk and sleep without the stress of locking my doors, security gates (which they don’t even have here), and clutching onto my phone and purse. It’s a peace not many are lucky to have, but should have. I am grateful each and every single day. It may rain almost all the time, but on those rare sunny days, everything is an occasion to remember. The vibes are immaculate. So, my first school year in Ireland is finished now, and I’m on summer break (which is 3 months long btw). And I decided to write this for anyone who’s in the same position that I was in a year and a half ago. Trust me, it’s worth it, as long as you always keep a positive mindset. Many tears will be shed but yolo. You will always have a friend somewhere, even if they live across the ocean on another continent, or making new ones with strange accents. You’ve got this. Loads of love, Me. P.S: Oh and, before I forget. A “copy” is like a book that you write in for school. A “biro” is a pen. And I think a “topper” is a sharpener, I’m not too sure, I’m still learning…but I hope this helps.

“I never would’ve believed you if three years ago you told me I’d be here”, ‘Malibu’ song

Written for SA2Eire by a Member You know when Miley Cyrus said, “I never would’ve believed you if three years ago you told me I’d be here”, in her ‘Malibu’ song? Well, trust me, I agree wi…

Big Big Links – Ideas of places things to do with children

We received this list of places on Facebook, and then though how awesome it would be to share it with all of you! Of course, just sharing it wouldn’t make it as awesome as it could be, so, we decide…

February 07, 2021

From Jozi to Cork – A Tweens story

Written for SA2Eire by a Member I was born in Johannesburg, and spent the first 9 years of my life living there, before my family and I moved to Ireland 3 months before I turned 10. When m…

February 07, 2021

Bastian’s story on the big move from South Africa

Written for SA2Eire by a Member Bastian (years): Me and mommy did a podcast on our move from South Africa to Ireland, so we thought it would be good to do a blog as well. When mommy told m…

February 05, 2021

A Teenager’s First Year in Ireland

Written for SA2Eire by a Member On the 23rd of September 2019, my mom and I started our new life-changing journey from South Africa to Ireland, to join my Dad who had moved the previous month…

Cammy’s Journey to a Special Needs School

Written for SA2Eire by a Member We arrived in March 2019 with our four children. We enrolled them into the local school and they started in September 2019. We always knew that our second e…

Keian's story so far

Navigating Down Syndrome Support in Ireland

Written for SA2Eire by a Member We emigrated to Ireland in September 2019. My husband, myself, our 6 year old daughter Saphira, and our almost 3 year old son Keian, who has Down Syndrome…

Moving to Ireland with a Child with Complex Medical Needs

Written for SA2Eire by a Member We moved to Ireland at the beginning of 2019. My son was 2 at the time, and was born with multiple conditions: myelomeningocele spina bifida, Chiari malformati…

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