DESPITE Ireland's high rate of unemployment, none of the five foreign students interviewed by The Irish Times seemed to have had problems finding work.
Mabel temps for BHP Minerals in Dublin; Robert got work "in two days. And I was so impressed at how helpful people were, in a capital city. I thought it would be all Don't call us, we'll call you, but people were telling me where to ask, who to ask for and really going all out to help me.
Nicolla works "in administration" in Bewley's Cafe, while both Noriel and Kym, who study food and beverage management at home, are preparing food for Bewley's in Grafton Street.
Nicolla hopes to get work playing her flute before she leaves Ireland, though the hotels she has asked "wanted me to play for too long for too little money".
"It's small", concedes Nicolla, casting her eyes about their spartan flat above a chipper in Parnell Street. "It would be a definite no if I was here for a long time. But it's very central. We can walk to work and it's cheap."
"Rent is more expensive than at home," feels Mabel who shares a flat in Leeson Street with two Canadian friends. "My salary is good but my friend Sharon works in a little cafe and she wouldn't earn enough at that to rent here and go out and stuff, if she was here for a long time."
ALL are struck by how welcoming their work mates have been. "They always say: `Come sit with us' or `Come eat with us'," says Kym.
Nicolla laughs as she recounts how people come into the office singing Bob Marley. "They're good singers too!"
"The people here are great," says Robert. "And Sinead there records the NBA basketball for me so I don't have to stay up till 4 a.m. watching it live ... I miss the sport from back home.
Noriel had one unpleasant experience on Parnell St when " ... a man lurched at me and said a nasty thing" but generally they have had no racial problems. Kym says she does notice people staring, which she supposes is because she is black, but she'll just "look back and make them aware of what they are doing and then I think they are embarrassed".
Irish society seems to find favour with them all: "A lot of people said the Irish and Jamaican peoples are very similar. We're both very laid back. The Irish do get things done but they take their time doing them. They are very frank in what they think, they don't hold back," says Noriel.
"We were both colonies of Britain too, though we never had it so bad that we weren't allowed speak our language," reflects Nicolla.
Robert is also conscious of a vague cultural affinity Puerto Rico has with Ireland. "There is a section that would like independence from the US, though they like the money we get from Washington... We have a very, very small sort of IRA - `the Macheteros'."
All are struck by the Irish capacity for drink, especially, according to Mabel and Robert, given how early the pubs close and the price of drink. "And cigarettes! Jeez, they are so expensive!" Robert says. "And people smoke so much. Even little kids. You'd figure they'd have a hard time getting cigarettes."
He misses American political news and tries to keep up by reading USA Today and the New York Herald Tribune. He also misses "beans and rice" though he has taken to " ... an amazing thing, your all day breakfasts', and your great thick chips, with vinegar. I had never come across vinegar on fries before."
Mabel is less esoteric in her yearnings. "You guys don't have Kool Aid [a fruit drink mix]. And I miss Kraft macaroni dinner mix, though my friend Laura just brought over four boxes.
"If I had to live here I'd worry about maintaining my hair," says Nicolla, whose raven hair is a luxurious mane of fine plaits. "I have looked everywhere for African Pride products and I can not find them ... And it's too cold, and it's not home."
"I would seriously consider living here," nods Robert. "I feel really at home here, though I wouldn't want to do bar work permanently The money wouldn't be enough for life. Besides, though it is fun watching, Irish life, it's more fun taking part."
