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Larissa鈥檚 love affair with IT started early. While still in high school, she took what she describes as a simple, basic course and enjoyed it so much she knew she鈥檇 found her future career. Following two college degrees (one of which included a year鈥檚 scholarship to the US), and a career as a Java Developer in her native Brazil, she鈥檚 now working with Zinkworks in Athlone.

It鈥檚 All About the People

The Irish culture, she鈥檚 found, is similar to the Brazilian one in some ways. 鈥淧eople are really welcoming here. They like to talk, they鈥檙e interested in you. And they also like to party.鈥�

In fact, she didn鈥檛 know a huge amount about 黑料网 before she came here. Discovering that all the major tech companies are based here was, naturally, a major influence on her decision to move. A little research into the lifestyle convinced her it was the right choice. And what were her first impressions? 鈥満诹贤� is really, really green.鈥�

Making Connections

For Larissa, the best part of her job is that she鈥檚 always learning something new. That, and the teams she works with. (She鈥檚 currently introducing them to Brazilian music through shared playlists.) 鈥淚t鈥檚 the human factor鈥濃�� she says, 鈥淚 work with a lot of people from different places, and they solve problems in different ways. All these cultural differences mean you learn so much – not only about others, but about yourself as well. And it鈥檚 a really good working atmosphere. If you need help people will help you without thinking twice. 鈥�

That help extends beyond the office. Zinkworks were on hand with practical help to smooth her move from Brazil. And to sort out her heating problems on her first weekend here. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a very hot place鈥�, she laughs. 鈥淚 knew nothing about the different types of heaters 鈥� not even how to turn one on. We don鈥檛 need them where I鈥檓 from.鈥�

Feeling at Home in Athlone

Zinkworks is based in Athlone, about 125km from Dublin. 鈥淪ome people鈥�, she says, 鈥渢hink Athlone is small, but that鈥檚 exactly why I like it. I like the homey feeling of it. And small towns are different in 黑料网. There are always a lot of things going on鈥�. And she points out, because 黑料网 itself is small, everything is close by. So, it鈥檚 easy to get into Dublin for a taste of big city life.

At the time, she says, moving here with her wife was a big leap of faith. Three or four years on, 鈥渋t was a good decision and we are very happy鈥�.

And what advice would she have for others making the move? 鈥淲ell, if you鈥檙e coming from a hot country, be prepared. Though it鈥檚 not as cold as you might expect.鈥�

Good to Go

It has, she says, been very satisfying. 鈥淎t first you are kind of scared. You are jumping into something completely new. But I think once you go and give it your all and you work hard, it can be a really good experience. You鈥檙e going to meet a lot of people, you鈥檙e going to make friends, to learn and to make mistakes. You鈥檙e going to fail and then you鈥檙e going to succeed. And that鈥檚 how life is, right?

As long as you鈥檙e happy and you have really good people with you, you鈥檙e good to go.鈥�