Our Story

I remember my decision to migrate to the UK like yesterday. It was always the one decision I was always sure of. The main reason for the move was to pursue higher education. I was accepted to begin Biomedical Science at the University of Kent in the Fall of 2011. I unfortunately wasn’t instantly welcomed. I had missed the Fresher’s Week which made it hard for an introvert like myself to make friends. However, the town people were kind and I didn’t have any problems integrating into the society. I thoroughly enjoyed my UK higher education experience.

After staying in the UK for more than 5 years, I have come to acclimatise to the culture and way of life here. I have grown to love it here after making lifelong friendships and I do sincerely feel like a member of the British public. Although the one downside to the move was that it became nearly impossible for an international individual like myself to come by any of great opportunities career wise. However, this did not deter me from my goals with the help of career advisors made available to me by my university, I am confident that I will be able to find a job. Overall, the critical decision to come to the United Kingdom and leave my home country behind was and will always be the best decision I have ever made. I am looking forward and anxious to see further how life in the UK will be for me. Nairobi, Kenya

I first arrived in London in 1990, I was only 21 years old. I initially came here for a myriad of reasons but the most important one was to start afresh in England. Back then, things were easier. I felt welcomed here despite my different background. I’m not saying it was perfect in the 1990s but many of the attitudes that exist today certainly didn’t exist back then. I was lucky to arrive when I did, I received a lot of support and whilst it was difficult to adjust, I managed fine. People were friendly and wanted to help you. I wished to do the same and enrolled in nursing school. I met my husband whilst I was studying and gave birth to my eldest daughter in my final year of studies. I have had my fair share of racist incidents but I always felt like this wasn’t reflective of society as a whole because not everyone was like that.

But with the referendum, things have become increasingly toxic. Many of my colleagues are migrants, some EU and others non-EU. They work hard and pay their taxes. Like myself, they are saving lives here and yet do not get enough credit for it. I think it’s sad how the media paints migrants in such an ugly light. We are people too and now more than ever, despite having 4 children who were born and raised here, they aren’t British enough to some individuals. I think it is such a shame and I do think things will change and I am hopeful about this. Lagos, Nigeria

I've lived in England for several years now, and I love it here! I moved here for work (I'm a teacher, and I found a great secondary school to work in) but within the first year I met my now-husband. I have a life here; a husband, a house, a job, friends.

But recently I asked the kids in my class to write an argumentative essay, either for or against immigration, and each and every one of them argumented against it. Reading them, it broke my heart that they have such negative views of immigrants, and that they felt comfortable handing those essays to me, when they know that I am one. Toronto, Canada

I moved to London five years ago, and during that time I have started and finished a university degree, and worked three different jobs. I love living in London, but I wish it wasn’t so expensive! I had to work part-time throughout my degree to be able to afford it, and that was after getting a student loan!

It really frustrates me when people talk about how immigrant come into this country just to claim benefits and “loaf” off of the British people; during my time here I have paid huge sums in tuition (that I have loaned from my own government), worked and paid taxes, and been to my GP twice — I really feel that I’m contributing a lot more to the community than I am taking from it. Stockholm, Sweden