GirlGI | Girl Gone International Issue 8 | Page 63
Show Me the Money
Although travel can be costly, going abroad has
led to financial independence for some GGIs.
Marta Cavalla, a professional translator, explains
that she left her native Spain because ‘I could not
content myself with a meagre salary and uncertain career prospects.’ In Ireland, she found ‘better opportunities, true recognition for what I do. . .
and I earn three times more [than at home].’
Christal Phillips, born and raised in the US, told
a similar story. ‘After graduat[ing] in the middle of
an economic recession, I took the opportunity to
move abroad.’ She now lives in Korea, where she
has ‘been fortunate to have an upward career
trajectory.’
While finances and career prospects might provide the impetus for an initial move abroad,
most GGIs stay on because it is beneficial for
their career and they enjoy life in their adopted
homelands. Cavalla says that ‘Dublin is a vibrant,
cosmopolitan place,’ and ‘the best thing about
it – apart from career prospects I could not have
dreamt of in my homeland – is the opportunity to
experience a different lifestyle, meeting people
from all over the world, and Guinness beef pie!’