The two identities are almost merging, they are never clashing - Mrs Harrison talks to us about her experience of moving to the UK from Slovakia.
Following your move, what was it like adapting to a new culture?
It was quite easy because of course I come from Slovakia, which is a European country, so we share a lot of the same values. So for me it was incredibly easy.
What were the educational priorities in Slovakia?
Again, very similar. In Slovakia, the system is a little different. You go to primary school until you are fifteen and then you go to a grammar school or a secondary modern, which is another route to A-levels, or you go through a vocational studies route. Everyone has the same rights to education, boys and girls, and everyone wants to get the best out of school as possible
What do you miss most about your country?
Food! (Laughs.) And friends and family.
What made you move to the UK?
I came to do my Masters at UEA, and I stayed! Also my sister is here, she's a nurse, so I already had family here which made it a lot easier.
What surprised you most about the UK?
I like the English sense of humour. The very first time I came here, I saw that we are very similar people in our struggles, our ambitions, our beliefs, and our ways of life, and now more so than ever. So I was less surprised and more at ease.
How often do you go back, and do you feel a sense of nostalgia?
Pre-covid I went every year. I do get a sense of nostalgia because my family live in the same block of flats that I grew up in, so it's always nostalgic seeing the people I grew up with, and in the village where my mum lives - when I go back with my own children, people greet me like I only left yesterday even though I have lived in England for 20 years. Everyone is very friendly.
What do you think of the English attitude towards people from other countries?
From personal experience I have only come across really positive attitudes. I haven't felt any negativity towards me, even twenty years ago before Slovakia was part of the EU. I always felt welcome and respected. My sister, who came here in the 90's, said that she had a different experience, and that she felt some people looked down on her as she was Eastern European. I think, from what I hear from some people who might come here, and I know I'm incredibly lucky to be a teacher here and I have respect as part of my job, but I know that people who have different jobs can sometimes feel that they are viewed differently, perhaps looked down upon. But that's not my personal experience.
How far does your experience of migration and living in different countries affect your identity?
I would say because I have lived here now for over 20 years, I think my thinking has become more English now than maybe Slovak. But of course deep down, I will always be Slovak and I that identity will always be with me. But because our cultures are so similar, i don't think my English identity and Slovak identity are that different - they merge into one. And my children, as they grew up here with an English father, I get more Englishness from them and my experiences with them, so the two identities are almost merging, they are never clashing. The only moment they clash is if there's a football match and I will support Slovakia!
Following your move, what was it like adapting to a new culture?
It was quite easy because of course I come from Slovakia, which is a European country, so we share a lot of the same values. So for me it was incredibly easy.
What were the educational priorities in Slovakia?
Again, very similar. In Slovakia, the system is a little different. You go to primary school until you are fifteen and then you go to a grammar school or a secondary modern, which is another route to A-levels, or you go through a vocational studies route. Everyone has the same rights to education, boys and girls, and everyone wants to get the best out of school as possible
What do you miss most about your country?
Food! (Laughs.) And friends and family.
What made you move to the UK?
I came to do my Masters at UEA, and I stayed! Also my sister is here, she's a nurse, so I already had family here which made it a lot easier.
What surprised you most about the UK?
I like the English sense of humour. The very first time I came here, I saw that we are very similar people in our struggles, our ambitions, our beliefs, and our ways of life, and now more so than ever. So I was less surprised and more at ease.
How often do you go back, and do you feel a sense of nostalgia?
Pre-covid I went every year. I do get a sense of nostalgia because my family live in the same block of flats that I grew up in, so it's always nostalgic seeing the people I grew up with, and in the village where my mum lives - when I go back with my own children, people greet me like I only left yesterday even though I have lived in England for 20 years. Everyone is very friendly.
What do you think of the English attitude towards people from other countries?
From personal experience I have only come across really positive attitudes. I haven't felt any negativity towards me, even twenty years ago before Slovakia was part of the EU. I always felt welcome and respected. My sister, who came here in the 90's, said that she had a different experience, and that she felt some people looked down on her as she was Eastern European. I think, from what I hear from some people who might come here, and I know I'm incredibly lucky to be a teacher here and I have respect as part of my job, but I know that people who have different jobs can sometimes feel that they are viewed differently, perhaps looked down upon. But that's not my personal experience.
How far does your experience of migration and living in different countries affect your identity?
I would say because I have lived here now for over 20 years, I think my thinking has become more English now than maybe Slovak. But of course deep down, I will always be Slovak and I that identity will always be with me. But because our cultures are so similar, i don't think my English identity and Slovak identity are that different - they merge into one. And my children, as they grew up here with an English father, I get more Englishness from them and my experiences with them, so the two identities are almost merging, they are never clashing. The only moment they clash is if there's a football match and I will support Slovakia!