Adapting to a new culture, lifestyle, finding a job are among the challenges and joys found by Epoch Times reporters from London to Fairlie when they asked locals around the world, “What’s it like living as a foreigner in this country?”
Edoardo Mastrovito, 50, Regulatory Affairs Officer
It depends on how and why you came here. I’m from Milan, Italy, and I have lived here for 30 years. I met my wife, who is Swedish, during a trip to England. We moved in together; that’s how I ended up in Sweden. I think you need to learn the language to feel at home in a new country. After that you have to find an occupation and get a job. I found employment immediately after I finished university.
Jan Uhlir, 33, Software Developer
It’s mostly the same as living in the Czech Republic; just the family and everyone are much further away. I do the same job as back in my home country, but it’s more challenging here as everything is in a different language. But there are more opportunities and a little bit more money. Eventually, I plan to return.
Andrew Kerr, 41, Farmer
Very positive! A very easy country to settle in to. I’m from England and have been living here for seven years. There are more opportunities to start afresh in New Zealand than there would be in the U.K. if you’re prepared to put yourself out there. If we went back it would be selfish; our children definitely have a better life here.
Olivia Coppin, 24, Engineer Agronomist
It is a really great personal effort to be here, because everything is different; you adapt yourself or leave. It is difficult to find a job, or a position as a trainee to stay here. On the other hand, I like the life style, solidarity, and people helping each other. Here in Piracicaba, I like the pace, as there are many things to do. It is possible to drink a beer with friends, enjoy a party; it’s very quiet and people are more serious. I have lived in Pernambuco. It was good, but people thought only of parties and there was a lot of violence.
Miguel Angel Quimbayo Cardona, 33, Biologist, PhD student in Forest Resources
It is very good. Everybody I know has been good to me. People here are very open-minded, and I have made friends easily. One really cool thing was the options of study that I found in Brazil, such as scholarships. It is funny that after living here for six months, my roommates had already considered me as a Brazilian guy, and always when I tell something to my friends in Colombia, I say “We Brazilians.” It is a pity that most Brazilians I meet do not even know where Colombia is located.
Canary Islands, Spain (Spanish, lived in Germany for 40 years)
Teresa Gil Martel, 73, Housewife
I would say that living in Germany as a foreigner, it was wonderful. I adapted easily because my mother-in-law treated me as if I were her daughter, so I was comfortable. But I can’t deny that I took my time to fully understand and assimilate to the way people lived in Germany, because they were (now it is different) really very precise, and ordered. And they used to lack the improvisation I was used to with my Latin origin. I go back for holidays every year to visit my sons, grandsons, and granddaughters.
Singa Kamaljit, 42, Unemployed Mechanic
I’m from India. Fifteen years ago I came to Italy and life was good with a lot of work everywhere, and many people brought their friends and family. But today 1 in 4, with luck, works. Many people have a problem finding work in Italy now, and Italian people prefer not to employ a foreigner. In this moment I do not feel good in Italy. There are too many taxes to pay for everything. For a complete family it is very hard.
Lejla Karjalainen, 28, Retail Employee
I was only 11 when I came to Sweden, so I was quite young. I’m originally from the Balkans, from Bosnia. I came here because of the war. I’ve lived in Sweden longer than I lived in my home country. I feel that no matter where you live, and especially in Sweden, it works pretty well as long as you adapt to the culture and to how the Swedes live and work. I’ve adapted really well, both privately and professionally and I really like it here. I will definitely stay in Sweden with my husband, who is from Finland, and our children.
Atsu Tomizawa, 39, Landscaper
Living in Australia is great. I guess, yes, I think, safer [in] Australia. Education is great; we are very happy. Our children go to private school. Yes, very happy with it. People are very kind; we have been helped a lot from the Australian community and Australian people. We really appreciate that. My working here is some kind of contribution to the Australian community. That’s my intention.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “If you could meet yourself as a child, what advice would you give?”
