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I'm an American who lived in Ireland for 4 years. Here are 5 things I liked better about life in Europe.

Kayleigh DonahueSep 12, 2023, 19:21 IST

As an American, there are some things I think Europe does better than the US.Kayleigh Donahue

I'm an American who lived in Ireland for four years and think Europe did some things better.
I miss having easy access to affordable, fresh foods and generous paid-time-off policies.

I was born and raised in Rhode Island but in the summer of 2018, I moved across the ocean to Dublin, Ireland. Though it was initially supposed to be a one-year adventure, I ended up calling Ireland home for four years.

I recently moved back to the US with my European partner to be closer to family and see how we both feel about living here in the long run. Still, there are still many things I preferred about my time in Ireland.

Here are five things I liked better about life in Europe.

Travel was much easier and cheaper for me.

I traveled to a bunch of European countries, including France.Kayleigh Donahue

Paid time off was more generous than what I had in the US.

I used my PTO to take a vacation to Portugal.Kayleigh Donahue

Most European people I met could speak multiple languages, which isn't as common where I'm from.

My Dutch partner and his family speak multiple languages.Kayleigh Donahue

I thought the quality and prices of the food in Europe were much better than what I've found in the US.

Many meals that I had in Europe seemed to be made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.Kayleigh Donahue

Compared to what I would've paid in the US, college tuition in Europe was very affordable.

I earned my master's of social work at Trinity College Dublin.Kayleigh Donahue

I spent 4 days in Savannah, Georgia. Here are 5 things that were worth it and one I'd skip next time.