By Pugazheanthi Palani, Founder of Napblog
Intro: The Conversation that Sparked Hope
When Lakshmi Narayanan — the YouTuber known for simplifying life abroad for Tamil audiences — reached out for an interview, I didn’t expect our chat to hit so many hearts. His video, “Ireland-ல Permanent Citizen வாங்குறது எவ்ளோ Easy? Benefits of Ireland Citizenship”, wasn’t just another immigration discussion. It became a reflection of a six-year transformation — from a confused student in Chennai to a permanent resident and entrepreneur in Ireland.
This article captures that full-circle moment — not as a script, but as a living story. Because behind every visa, there’s a voice; behind every degree, a decade of discipline.
1. Chennai to Dublin — The Unlikely Route
In 2019, Ireland was just a dot on the map. Most of us looked at the US, UK, or Canada. Ireland? Not really on the list.
But when I realized “நம்ம மாதிரி hard-working middle-class kids-க்கு ஒரு start வேணும்னா, இங்க தான் chance இருக்கு”, I made the leap.
I was a Mechanical Engineering student from St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai — someone who loved machines but somehow fell in love with marketing.
While my classmates were fixing turbines, I was fixing SEO tags.
While they learned AutoCAD, I learned Google Ads.
I didn’t know it then, but I was rebuilding my career from the roots up.
2. The Leap of Faith — Studying in Ireland
When I first applied, I had every reason not to make it:
- IELTS? Failed three times — scored 5.5.
- CGPA? 6.5 with a few arrears.
- Money? Tight.
- Confidence? Shaky.
But I had grit — the only currency that works worldwide.
Through Education Matters, I got an admission to Ireland’s MSc in International Business Management. My dream wasn’t to just study. It was to stay, build, and belong.
And that journey was anything but linear.
There were moments I almost gave up — when rent was high, jobs were scarce, and visa deadlines loomed large.
But every time I fell, I found a reason to get back up — sometimes through a friend, sometimes through faith, and sometimes through pure survival instinct.
3. From Intern to Innovator
My first few jobs weren’t fancy.
I did part-time work, freelanced, helped small businesses run ads, and wrote blogs for €10 a piece.
That was the foundation of Napblog — not a business plan, but a series of real problems solved for real people.
When I say Napblog, people think it’s just a marketing agency. But it’s much deeper:
It’s where marketing, mentoring, and mindset meet.
Every campaign I ran, every ad I tweaked, was built from empathy — because I was the struggling intern once.
That’s what now shapes the culture of Napblog — training others to use AI and marketing not just to earn, but to express.
4. “Ireland-ல வேலை கிடைக்குமா?” — The Big Question
During the interview, Lakshmi asked the one question every Indian student secretly fears:
“அயர்லாண்ட் வந்தவங்க எல்லாருக்கும் வேலை கிடைக்குமா?”
And I told him — “கிடைக்கும். But only if you stay prepared.”
Here’s what I mean by that:
Ireland rewards consistency more than anything.
It’s not about your degree — it’s about your ability to adapt fast, communicate well, and keep learning.
When companies in Dublin or Galway hire, they’re not looking for a nationality; they’re looking for a problem-solver.
So my advice to every student was simple:
“Don’t wait to finish your degree to learn. Build your brand while you study.”
That’s exactly what I did — starting my blog, freelancing for clients, and networking before graduation. By the time I got my job offer, my portfolio spoke louder than my CV.
5. The Irish Way of Growth
Ireland isn’t a country that hands you success. It tests you first — through weather, patience, and paperwork.
But once you prove you belong, Ireland gives you more than you imagine.
Here’s what I learned about the Irish system:
- Education here matters, but practical skills matter more.
- Graduate visas (1G/2G) are gold — use them wisely to gain local work experience.
- Tech, healthcare, and AI are booming industries.
- Permanent Residency (Stamp 4) is not luck — it’s a reward for sustained effort and clean records.
Now, as a permanent resident, I can say confidently:
“Ireland doesn’t just give you a job. It gives you a journey.”
6. Building Napblog — The Startup Within a Story
After gaining years of experience in B2B tech marketing, I founded Napblog — an innovation-driven marketing coworking agency.
It’s not a traditional agency.
It’s a community-driven ecosystem where marketing interns, freelancers, and founders work together on real business challenges.
We’ve trained 50+ interns across 15 cities — teaching them to use AI for marketing, automate tasks, and grow creative confidence.
The beauty? Many of our interns came through word of mouth — through people who watched the same Lakshmi Narayanan-style YouTube videos that once inspired me.
Full circle.
7. The Lessons from Ireland
When people ask, “Ireland எப்டி இருக்கு?”, I don’t talk about the weather or Guinness.
I talk about mindset.
Here are my top lessons:
- Be humble, but loud about your skills.
The Irish respect quiet confidence. Don’t brag — show results. - Respect the process.
From visa renewals to taxes, do things legally and early. - Network over coffee.
Most of my best collaborations began with a simple “Hey, want to grab a coffee?” - Don’t compare your timeline.
Everyone’s path is unique. Some get jobs in 3 months, some in 3 years. - Give back.
When you help new arrivals, you strengthen the community that helped you.
8. Family, Faith, and Future
When I came to Ireland, my family supported me emotionally more than financially.
We weren’t rich — we had one house in Chennai. I took a loan, came here with hope, and made it count.
Now, that single step changed everything — not just for me, but for my sister, who later moved abroad too.
I often tell students:
“You don’t need ten options. You need one chance — and the courage to take it.”
9. The Power of Community: Napblog’s Impact
Napblog today is not just my company — it’s a movement.
We collaborate with universities, startups, and digital creators to:
- Train students in AI-driven marketing.
- Create remote job opportunities.
- Connect mentors with mentees.
- Celebrate stories of self-made professionals.
And this interview with Lakshmi was the perfect reminder that stories still matter — because every “citizenship” starts as a student ship.
10. What I Told Lakshmi in Closing
When Lakshmi asked, “அயர்லாண்ட் பாஸ்போர்ட் வாங்குறது easyஆ?”
I laughed.
It’s not easy — it’s earned.
It’s earned through five years of paying taxes, staying legally employed, and contributing to the country’s economy and culture.
But the benefits? They’re beyond papers.
You gain:
- Freedom to work across the EU.
- Global mobility (190+ countries visa-free).
- Respect for your hard work.
And above all — you gain belonging.
11. A Message to Future Dreamers
If you’re reading this from India, wondering whether to take the risk — here’s my truth:
Don’t chase the country. Chase the calling.
Whether you go to Ireland, Germany, or stay in Chennai — if you build skills, stay consistent, and connect with the right people, your passport will find you.
Every journey starts with a “why.”
Mine was simple: I wanted to build something that helps others not feel lost like I once did.
That’s what Napblog stands for.
12. Gratitude & Growth
I ended the interview with one word — Gratitude.
Grateful for the rejections that shaped me,
for the reattempts that humbled me,
and for the results that now remind me why I never gave up.
And to every Tamil student out there watching Lakshmi Narayanan’s channel, taking notes, and secretly dreaming of life abroad —
Your time will come. Just make sure you’re ready when it does.
💡 Final Reflection: From “Visa Applicant” to “Vision Architect”
When I arrived in 2019, I was applying for a visa.
In 2025, I’m building visions.
From sleepless nights to startup lights, the journey taught me that citizenship is not a status — it’s a story.
And every story begins when you decide to believe in yourself.
🟣 About Napblog
Napblog is the world’s first marketing coworking agency, founded by Pugazheanthi Palani, based in Ireland. It integrates digital marketing, mentorship, and innovation, training global interns to build AI-powered marketing systems while working collaboratively across industries.
🔗 Follow Napblog on LinkedIn for more founder stories, marketing insights, and real conversations that redefine success.