General information
Sex: Male
Age at time of emigration: 22
Length of stay: 9 Months (so far!)
Location (area of country): Northampton
Currently working in (country + discipline): UK – Musculoskeletal (rotation)
Professional Life
How long ago did you go to the UK?
9 months ago.
How did you find the process of preparing to work in the UK?
I didn’t find the forms too difficult to fill out they have guidance sections that point you in the right direction. I went for full registration as I thought the temporary registration wouldn’t reflect well on me if I was applying for a full time job. The process took about 3-4 months I think…
Were you able to choose to work in an area that interested you?
I am currently coming to the end of the musculoskeletal rotation that I started when I first came over! I’ll be moving on to a respiratory rotation in the next couple of weeks. I enjoy the musculoskeletal side of things, and I learned a lot from my current rotation. The support structures, and in-services are excellent. I wanted to take a rotational job initially for a few years before I decide what to specialise in!
Did you find it easy to integrate into your work environment?
Yeah it was grand… The NHS is not entirely different from the HSE settings I was used to from placements in college.
What differences, if any, did you find between working as a physiotherapist in Ireland and UK?
It’s difficult to say really. I was only ever a student physiotherapist in Ireland. There are, perhaps, greater levels of efficiency and better overall service provision in the NHS. It is difficult to be quantifiable about it though!
What are the 3 best things about working in the UK?
I think the quality of work I’m doing here will stand to me in the future.
There is a good sporting culture. Plenty of opportunities for working / volunteering as a sports physio.
Not too far away from home! I can come back for a weekend whenever suits really…
What are the 3 worst things about working in the UK?
I miss home a little bit! Skype makes it easier but it’s the little things I suppose!
I couldn’t really fault anything about the work! Its more about being away from home!
How many holiday days did you have per year, and do you think you had sufficient free-time to travel during the year?
I’ve 27 days of annual leave per year. I’ve plenty of time to organise travel I just never seem to get around to it!
Personal Life
How would you describe the weather in comparison to Ireland?
Much the same really. Rain, and plenty of it! Haven’t experienced a summer here yet so I’ll get back to ya on that one!
Would you recommend going over with friends or by yourself? Why?
If you can get a few to go it’d be great, I’m isolated enough in Northampton, a lot of the Irish crew would be based in London. But you make the best of it I suppose… I took back up Rugby which was a great way of meeting new people!
What did you make of the UK’s culture when you first arrived?
Haha! It’s not a whole lot different really! Plenty of sports, plenty of gigs going on if that’s what you’re into. I wouldn’t say I’m the most cultured man in the world myself!
Did you have a good social life while there?
Yeah taking back up rugby was a good call in this regard. Plenty of night’s out after matches, similar to home!
What are the most popular past-times in the UK?
Soccer (or football as they like to call it) is the big one. It’s a bit of a religion over here really!
In comparison with Ireland, is it expensive to live in Singapore? What did you find was the most expensive aspect of living there?
I wouldn't say it’s any more or less expensive really. The pay is reasonable enough, I get by. Wouldn’t be making a killing by any stretch of the imagination! I will say it depends where you are… If you’re in London the rent is incredibly expensive, but you get supplemental pay if you’re working in London or its vicinity. So it probably balances out.
How would you rate your experience overall (both professionally and personally) in the UK?
7/10
Sex: Male
Age at time of emigration: 22
Length of stay: 9 Months (so far!)
Location (area of country): Northampton
Currently working in (country + discipline): UK – Musculoskeletal (rotation)
Professional Life
How long ago did you go to the UK?
9 months ago.
How did you find the process of preparing to work in the UK?
I didn’t find the forms too difficult to fill out they have guidance sections that point you in the right direction. I went for full registration as I thought the temporary registration wouldn’t reflect well on me if I was applying for a full time job. The process took about 3-4 months I think…
Were you able to choose to work in an area that interested you?
I am currently coming to the end of the musculoskeletal rotation that I started when I first came over! I’ll be moving on to a respiratory rotation in the next couple of weeks. I enjoy the musculoskeletal side of things, and I learned a lot from my current rotation. The support structures, and in-services are excellent. I wanted to take a rotational job initially for a few years before I decide what to specialise in!
Did you find it easy to integrate into your work environment?
Yeah it was grand… The NHS is not entirely different from the HSE settings I was used to from placements in college.
What differences, if any, did you find between working as a physiotherapist in Ireland and UK?
It’s difficult to say really. I was only ever a student physiotherapist in Ireland. There are, perhaps, greater levels of efficiency and better overall service provision in the NHS. It is difficult to be quantifiable about it though!
What are the 3 best things about working in the UK?
I think the quality of work I’m doing here will stand to me in the future.
There is a good sporting culture. Plenty of opportunities for working / volunteering as a sports physio.
Not too far away from home! I can come back for a weekend whenever suits really…
What are the 3 worst things about working in the UK?
I miss home a little bit! Skype makes it easier but it’s the little things I suppose!
I couldn’t really fault anything about the work! Its more about being away from home!
How many holiday days did you have per year, and do you think you had sufficient free-time to travel during the year?
I’ve 27 days of annual leave per year. I’ve plenty of time to organise travel I just never seem to get around to it!
Personal Life
How would you describe the weather in comparison to Ireland?
Much the same really. Rain, and plenty of it! Haven’t experienced a summer here yet so I’ll get back to ya on that one!
Would you recommend going over with friends or by yourself? Why?
If you can get a few to go it’d be great, I’m isolated enough in Northampton, a lot of the Irish crew would be based in London. But you make the best of it I suppose… I took back up Rugby which was a great way of meeting new people!
What did you make of the UK’s culture when you first arrived?
Haha! It’s not a whole lot different really! Plenty of sports, plenty of gigs going on if that’s what you’re into. I wouldn’t say I’m the most cultured man in the world myself!
Did you have a good social life while there?
Yeah taking back up rugby was a good call in this regard. Plenty of night’s out after matches, similar to home!
What are the most popular past-times in the UK?
Soccer (or football as they like to call it) is the big one. It’s a bit of a religion over here really!
In comparison with Ireland, is it expensive to live in Singapore? What did you find was the most expensive aspect of living there?
I wouldn't say it’s any more or less expensive really. The pay is reasonable enough, I get by. Wouldn’t be making a killing by any stretch of the imagination! I will say it depends where you are… If you’re in London the rent is incredibly expensive, but you get supplemental pay if you’re working in London or its vicinity. So it probably balances out.
How would you rate your experience overall (both professionally and personally) in the UK?
7/10