Salem Barakat

from Syria/Lebanon/UAE

Senior Consultant, Fragomen

On the 13th of September 2017, 18 year old me flew to Dublin with a one-way ticket leaving my family and friends behind to begin my solo adventure uncertain of what lay ahead. Though fear and anxiety were present, the overwhelming emotion was excitement. Little did I anticipate that, over the years, I would have a network of people offering unwavering support and friendship.

I am originally Syrian/Lebanese and was born and raised in the UAE where I grew up in a diverse environment surrounded by different cultures and nationalities. However, I can vividly recall the warmth, kindness and friendliness shown by my Irish peers and teachers. This became a catalyst for my decision to move to Ireland, where I pursued my undergraduate studies in Law at Trinity College.

As time passed, I found myself feeling more at home, and in conjunction with personal circumstances, I made the decision to remain in Ireland.

Over the years, Ireland has become a hub for business in Europe. After briefly working in Risk Investigation Management, I joined Fragomen where I was introduced to the world of consultancy and corporate immigration. Fragomen has and continues to significantly contribute to the immigration landscape in Ireland and I am proud to be a part of that.

To me, the essence of Irishness has always been more of a profound sentiment than a set of characteristics. Growing up I never had the privilege of calling somewhere home. But now, regardless of what the future holds, I can proudly say that I can sense the profound sentiment of Irishness and that I can call Ireland home.