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Aya Omirtay left a patriarchal media environment in Kazakhstan to reinvent herself in Dublin, learning English, working in hospitality, and building new friendships while maintaining her journalistic aspirations in a freer, more egalitarian setting.
Aya Omirtay, a 34‑year‑old journalist from Kazakhstan, moved to Dublin in early 2024 after winning the country's national journalism award in 2022. Although she had spent a decade reporting on a range of topics back home, the political climate in Kazakhstan has made independent journalism increasingly difficult.
In particular, investigative reporting has become more constrained and journalists face growing pressure when asking difficult questions. Omirtay's experience in the former Soviet state was at a workplace dominated by men, and she had never managed a female boss. After arriving in Ireland, she found a very different environment in which her new manager is a 24‑year‑old woman who treats all staff with equal respect, regardless of gender or position.
The hospitality manager's approach marks a stark contrast to the patriarchal culture in Kazakhstan, where Omirtay's father, also a former journalist, would often help his wife in the kitchen but encouraged his daughters to pursue careers rather than stay at home. In Dublin, Omirtay has taken a pragmatic route: learning English while earning an income in hospitality.
She explains that the network of friends she has made - many of whom are highly skilled professionals from other countries - has eased her transition.
"One of my classmates was a university lecturer, another an engineer," she says. These peers are juggling multiple jobs and the high cost of living in Dublin while still studying English in the mornings. Through this community she has discovered a new sense of belonging. The city's open and courteous culture - offering multiple ways to say sorry and thank you - reminds her of Kazakh hospitality and often lifts her spirits on days of homesickness.
She also reports that Irish people are quick to compliment strangers, lending her a feeling of appreciation that she had found missing in the more reserved social environment of Kazakhstan. Despite the encouraging experience, Omirtay still wrestles with moments of doubt. Cleaning tables after busy service can prompt the question "Is this really my life now?
" She acknowledges that the shift from journalism to hospitality feels like a step back, yet she underscores that it is a necessary step toward reintegration and continued professional growth. She has become an advocate for her homeland, correcting misconceptions that Kazakhstan is a Muslim country and educating others on its rich history, from Genghis Khan to the Golden Horde. The Irish context has also broadened her social circles, exposing her to Latin American friends she had never met before.
The lessons of adaptability, cultural exchange, and resilience that she carries from Kazakhstan to Ireland not only shape her personal narrative but also highlight the growing interconnectedness of the two cultures. In her view, Ireland offers a freer space to pursue journalism, though she has yet to find a formal outlet in the field.
Meanwhile, her hospitality job has become a gateway to pursue future studies and professional networking. She continues to travel within Ireland and reflects on her future: "I see myself contributing to the cultural dialogue between Kazakhstan and Ireland while building a sustainable career that honors my passion for storytelling.
Aya Omirtay Kazakhstan Ireland Journalism Cultural Adaptation
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