Europeans Moving to England
‘Europeans moving to England’ project is about people from different countries in Europe who moved to England. Every person has a different experience in moving to a completely different country, with everything being run differently, different rules, different traditions. Some people moved to England when they were younger as a child and some moved when they were adults. Both of which would have different experiences, the good and the bad. Children who move with their families need to attend an English school and to them everything might be quite alien to them, not knowing what is happening and having no control. Some people moved to England on their own as an adult or with a partner trying to have a new life. In which both sides would have different narratives to tell about their past, their country and what it is like to live now compared to before. As in many countries there are some problems and some can relate and one of those things is racism. Racism can affect anyone at any age and there might be some differences in which people might like one country but dislike the other.
There are many Europeans that live in England and for some they might feel alone, feel like an outcast because they think they are different, making it tough for them to socialise and connect with people. In my work what I’m trying to achieve is to show everyone is different and has a completely different experience in life in which some could have had a lot more worse experiences than the other and some had better experiences. The idea is to have portraits of different Europeans from different countries and in different age groups. Each person will have their portrait taken in different locations that best resembles them personally and after they’ll get interviewed being asked 4 simple questions. Those would be, ‘When did you move to England?’, ‘What is it like in your country?’, ‘What were your experiences when you moved?’, and ‘What do you miss about your country?’.
When each person is interviewed, then the next, last piece of the puzzle would be their photos of when they were younger before they moved to England. Those archival images would represent more about their past, their narrative and make the work more stronger. When each portrait is presented with their interview text, and a little picture of them younger before they left their country, It’ll give out a strong narrative for each image of their different experiences. This whole work might be interesting for some people to see what other people think and see what their experiences are or were but this work is more for the people who feel lost, feel like an outcast or feel like they don't fit in especially when they come from a different country and make them feel they aren’t alone.
Georgios Chatzopoulos
Greek
In 2012, served the Greek army duties and lived in Poland for 3 years. 2015 I moved to Oslo, Norway, and moved back to Greece in 2016 for a few months which is when I met my girlfriend. After a few months, moved to Germany where her family lives. I’ve been a chef since I was 16 and now wherever I travelled there always were job opportunities.
In Greece, in the capital there is lots of graffiti, taller and bigger buildings and not many parks compared to Bath. The people there are nice but aren't so open.
First time ever moving to England, a friend offered a job at a Greek restaurant in Midsomer Norton. Worst experience ever, Manager was a prick, worked 2 months without getting paid. For a couple of months I lived in a hostel where I was moved around room to room but since getting a new job, got paid more, got a better place to live in and sent money to my family to support them as my Father died when I was 17.
I miss my family, the food, the weather and the beaches and the sea. I do also miss riding my motorcycle.
Greek
In 2012, served the Greek army duties and lived in Poland for 3 years. 2015 I moved to Oslo, Norway, and moved back to Greece in 2016 for a few months which is when I met my girlfriend. After a few months, moved to Germany where her family lives. I’ve been a chef since I was 16 and now wherever I travelled there always were job opportunities.
In Greece, in the capital there is lots of graffiti, taller and bigger buildings and not many parks compared to Bath. The people there are nice but aren't so open.
First time ever moving to England, a friend offered a job at a Greek restaurant in Midsomer Norton. Worst experience ever, Manager was a prick, worked 2 months without getting paid. For a couple of months I lived in a hostel where I was moved around room to room but since getting a new job, got paid more, got a better place to live in and sent money to my family to support them as my Father died when I was 17.
I miss my family, the food, the weather and the beaches and the sea. I do also miss riding my motorcycle.
Mireia Arderiu
Spanish
Moved to the UK 29th August 2020 during the Covid times, alone but exited. Only visit the family max 2 weeks. Had to survive alone, find a job to support myself financially, find a Uni to study foundation and then fine art.
I grew up in a village in a posh area, 30 minutes from Barcelona, with no trains, only buses. Nature is everywhere, no tall buildings, only farmer houses and it’s always sunny, only raining in April. But the family is a bit toxic which made me move and it was the best decision I made.
There are things I miss and that would be food, friends, beaches and the transparent sea, also the family, oldest in the family and leaving siblings.
Spanish
Moved to the UK 29th August 2020 during the Covid times, alone but exited. Only visit the family max 2 weeks. Had to survive alone, find a job to support myself financially, find a Uni to study foundation and then fine art.
I grew up in a village in a posh area, 30 minutes from Barcelona, with no trains, only buses. Nature is everywhere, no tall buildings, only farmer houses and it’s always sunny, only raining in April. But the family is a bit toxic which made me move and it was the best decision I made.
There are things I miss and that would be food, friends, beaches and the transparent sea, also the family, oldest in the family and leaving siblings.
Octavia Sav
Romanian
September 2020 started uni during Covid which is also around the time I moved to England.
The people here are more Polite as where in Romania people are more blunt. There were some mixed experiences when moving. At freshers week a few things were off but nothing too bad.
In Romania the buildings are nice but a lot greyer and mixes of things but I like the architecture here more in Bath.
Miss more of the freedom for people, the food, landscapes, nature and the forests.
Romanian
September 2020 started uni during Covid which is also around the time I moved to England.
The people here are more Polite as where in Romania people are more blunt. There were some mixed experiences when moving. At freshers week a few things were off but nothing too bad.
In Romania the buildings are nice but a lot greyer and mixes of things but I like the architecture here more in Bath.
Miss more of the freedom for people, the food, landscapes, nature and the forests.
Violeta Davidovičiūtė
Lithuanian
22nd March 2017, moved to the UK and been here for 5 ½ years. In Lithuania there weren't many buildings or nature around but after going back to Lithuania a few times there are a lot more buildings, more trees, more nature so everything change very quickly and it’s beautiful.
After moving I knew nothing, couldn’t understand anything and couldn't even speak English. After 2 years I managed to speak a bit of English and just about to understand it. The people here are nice but the weather is mostly bad, too windy, too rainy. After some time I got used to it. The nature was good and I had a good experience overall.
The things I miss are my friends, nature and the snow in the winter.
Lithuanian
22nd March 2017, moved to the UK and been here for 5 ½ years. In Lithuania there weren't many buildings or nature around but after going back to Lithuania a few times there are a lot more buildings, more trees, more nature so everything change very quickly and it’s beautiful.
After moving I knew nothing, couldn’t understand anything and couldn't even speak English. After 2 years I managed to speak a bit of English and just about to understand it. The people here are nice but the weather is mostly bad, too windy, too rainy. After some time I got used to it. The nature was good and I had a good experience overall.
The things I miss are my friends, nature and the snow in the winter.
Robert Jedrzejczak
Polish
Born in Poland, Nowa Sól and moved to the UK in 2005. Nowa Sól is a small town with a dense population with shops and markets everywhere.
After getting to the UK and starting school, It was all alien, didn’t understand the language, Didn’t know anyone
In primary school there was some racism towards Polish people. Got Bullied by kids and sometimes by the teachers themselves. Of course I made some friends who aren’t like that and had some fun times as well.
In secondary school things got a lot better, Made more friends, started to train for Bath rugby and by that time my Polish accent disappeared.
The things I miss are my whole family, 90% of them, The food and the culture.
Polish
Born in Poland, Nowa Sól and moved to the UK in 2005. Nowa Sól is a small town with a dense population with shops and markets everywhere.
After getting to the UK and starting school, It was all alien, didn’t understand the language, Didn’t know anyone
In primary school there was some racism towards Polish people. Got Bullied by kids and sometimes by the teachers themselves. Of course I made some friends who aren’t like that and had some fun times as well.
In secondary school things got a lot better, Made more friends, started to train for Bath rugby and by that time my Polish accent disappeared.
The things I miss are my whole family, 90% of them, The food and the culture.
Oa Fontana Rava
Italian
Moved to England September 2019 in Cambridge doing foundation. But start of 2020 had to leave England due to Covid. Start of September 2020 Joined Bath Spa studying BA photography.
In Italy the buildings are much taller and everywhere you go these shops and markets around, whereas in England shops are more centred in one or 2 areas.
At the beginning everything felt strange, felt alone especially when families were not close by and didn't know anyone. But by time I found some other Europeans that really helped. After getting back to Italy, the English language started to take over, making it harder to speak Italian, pronunciation wise. Finally got the NHS number after 3 years
Some friendships were lost after moving somewhere else because of some reasons such as jealousy.
Missing the fresh food, missing family and Sunday dinner.
Italian
Moved to England September 2019 in Cambridge doing foundation. But start of 2020 had to leave England due to Covid. Start of September 2020 Joined Bath Spa studying BA photography.
In Italy the buildings are much taller and everywhere you go these shops and markets around, whereas in England shops are more centred in one or 2 areas.
At the beginning everything felt strange, felt alone especially when families were not close by and didn't know anyone. But by time I found some other Europeans that really helped. After getting back to Italy, the English language started to take over, making it harder to speak Italian, pronunciation wise. Finally got the NHS number after 3 years
Some friendships were lost after moving somewhere else because of some reasons such as jealousy.
Missing the fresh food, missing family and Sunday dinner.