Extend a hand of friendship to those people - Mrs Thomas talks to us about her experience of moving to the UK from Australia.
Following your move, what was it like adapting to a new culture?
It was exciting, but also very challenging. The culture itself is very similar to the culture in Australia, as in lots socialising with people, going round people's homes, going into the city, shopping...so lots of that felt very familiar. The biggest bit that I struggled with was the weather! It was very cold. We came at the end of August, which is obviously summer over here, and I was cold from that point on....The culture here of people wanting to be outside, when I was very cold, took a lot of adapting to. I love spending time at the beach, and I found that felt very different because I just couldn't get on board with the weather for a little while.
Do you have any stories about how others have reacted towards you as a migrant?
Here, everybody was incredibly welcoming and really curious to find out what my experience in Australia was like, and why I moved to England, and they asked me questions about how Australia is different to England. So I found that people were incredibly accepting. My first job when I arrived here was in a fish and chip shop as well, and so customers used to always ask me lots of questions while they were waiting for their fish and their chips and were very curious to find out a lot more. I've never felt anything but welcomed.
How far does your experience of migration and living in different countries affect your identity?
My identity, if people were to say where is home, I would say Australia. When we watch international rugby matches or football matches, I always find myself supporting Australia. When I return to Australia it always feels very much like home still, I always feel very comfortable there and it's always difficult to get back on the plane and come back to England, as much as I love England and how happy I am here. So I think in terms of identity, I see myself as Australian even though I have English citizenship.
What were the educational priorities in Australia?
There is a huge emphasis in Australia on students going to university. When I went, at first I was going to do psychology and then when I moved over to England I decided I would rather go down the education route and become a teacher.
What do you miss most about Australia?
I miss the weather, my friends and family, and I miss the coastlines. I love beaches and spending days swimming in the oceans. I have adapted to the English waters, I still swim now every summer, but I very much miss the oceans of Australia.
Are there any moments that are nostalgic for you?
Yes. I think when people mention Australia it floods back lots of very positive happy memories for me. When my dad and my brother come here on holiday that makes me feel very nostalgic when they talk about home. Movies too, can make me think about Australia.
How often do you go back?
Not enough! I moved to England in 2009 and I have been back once to Australia. That was when I took my now-husband home to meet my dad and my big brother. That was about seven years ago. You need a lot of time to make it work, going back.
What was the hardest thing about leaving?
Leaving my dad and my brother. We used to come to England on holidays, so I knew the country, but it was the sense that the move was very permanent and while we hoped that we would return a lot to Australia, I think I understood that that probably wasn't going to be possible.
What surprised you most about the UK?
Funnily enough, the summer! The year I got here there was hardly a summer in my eyes but over the years I have fallen in love with the summers here and how the days get longer, and brighter, and how everyone is so happy and positive when the sun is out! Everyone really enjoys being outdoors and the spring and summer months are really lovely times of year.
What do you think we can do as a school community to welcome people from other countries or to support those seeking refuge?
I would say, keep that attitude of being curious and asking people from different countries about their experience and their home countries. Ask them their hopes and dreams and really extent a hand of friendship to those people. I remember I felt lonely for a little while when I arrived in England; I didn't have friends from high school and I hadn't yet started university, so my networks were very small. I really relied on people extending that hand of friendship to me and inviting me places and including me in things. They adopted me into their community. That's what we should try and do, too.
Following your move, what was it like adapting to a new culture?
It was exciting, but also very challenging. The culture itself is very similar to the culture in Australia, as in lots socialising with people, going round people's homes, going into the city, shopping...so lots of that felt very familiar. The biggest bit that I struggled with was the weather! It was very cold. We came at the end of August, which is obviously summer over here, and I was cold from that point on....The culture here of people wanting to be outside, when I was very cold, took a lot of adapting to. I love spending time at the beach, and I found that felt very different because I just couldn't get on board with the weather for a little while.
Do you have any stories about how others have reacted towards you as a migrant?
Here, everybody was incredibly welcoming and really curious to find out what my experience in Australia was like, and why I moved to England, and they asked me questions about how Australia is different to England. So I found that people were incredibly accepting. My first job when I arrived here was in a fish and chip shop as well, and so customers used to always ask me lots of questions while they were waiting for their fish and their chips and were very curious to find out a lot more. I've never felt anything but welcomed.
How far does your experience of migration and living in different countries affect your identity?
My identity, if people were to say where is home, I would say Australia. When we watch international rugby matches or football matches, I always find myself supporting Australia. When I return to Australia it always feels very much like home still, I always feel very comfortable there and it's always difficult to get back on the plane and come back to England, as much as I love England and how happy I am here. So I think in terms of identity, I see myself as Australian even though I have English citizenship.
What were the educational priorities in Australia?
There is a huge emphasis in Australia on students going to university. When I went, at first I was going to do psychology and then when I moved over to England I decided I would rather go down the education route and become a teacher.
What do you miss most about Australia?
I miss the weather, my friends and family, and I miss the coastlines. I love beaches and spending days swimming in the oceans. I have adapted to the English waters, I still swim now every summer, but I very much miss the oceans of Australia.
Are there any moments that are nostalgic for you?
Yes. I think when people mention Australia it floods back lots of very positive happy memories for me. When my dad and my brother come here on holiday that makes me feel very nostalgic when they talk about home. Movies too, can make me think about Australia.
How often do you go back?
Not enough! I moved to England in 2009 and I have been back once to Australia. That was when I took my now-husband home to meet my dad and my big brother. That was about seven years ago. You need a lot of time to make it work, going back.
What was the hardest thing about leaving?
Leaving my dad and my brother. We used to come to England on holidays, so I knew the country, but it was the sense that the move was very permanent and while we hoped that we would return a lot to Australia, I think I understood that that probably wasn't going to be possible.
What surprised you most about the UK?
Funnily enough, the summer! The year I got here there was hardly a summer in my eyes but over the years I have fallen in love with the summers here and how the days get longer, and brighter, and how everyone is so happy and positive when the sun is out! Everyone really enjoys being outdoors and the spring and summer months are really lovely times of year.
What do you think we can do as a school community to welcome people from other countries or to support those seeking refuge?
I would say, keep that attitude of being curious and asking people from different countries about their experience and their home countries. Ask them their hopes and dreams and really extent a hand of friendship to those people. I remember I felt lonely for a little while when I arrived in England; I didn't have friends from high school and I hadn't yet started university, so my networks were very small. I really relied on people extending that hand of friendship to me and inviting me places and including me in things. They adopted me into their community. That's what we should try and do, too.