The third project meeting took place in Germany and was hosted by Georg - Büchner -Gymnasium Seelze.
Participants
The Romanian team (Mariana Hudrea, Simona Dicu and Flavia Costin plus their pupils) arrived on Monday 30 November followed by the remaining teams the next day;
Alasdair Watts and Colette Bourgeois from France, Huseyin Öztürk and Rafet Akay from Turkey, Monica Meneghelli and Patrizia Tommasi from Italy, Jola Prodanowska and Dorata Boryczko from Poland. Altogether 16 foreign pupils attended the project meeting from these five countries.
Accommodation
All staff were accommodated at the Hotel Waldersee in Hanover and pupils by host families. Teachers all expressed satisfaction regarding the choice of the hotel which offered excellent value for money. It should also be pointed out that staff had very positive feedback from pupils concerning host families.
Wednesday
The official meeting began on Wednesday 2 December. The head teacher Mr Gerold Muller greeted participants in the school auditorium with a short speech before a group of musicians offered us a rousing performance of some songs they had specially prepared for the occasion.
We were offered a brief tour of the GBG in groups and all were struck by the pleasant working atmosphere that pervades. Pupils remarked in particular how agreeable it was for works of art to be exhibited around the building.
We returned to the auditorium where the ‘serious business’ of the conference could begin. The Polish, Italian and Romanian groups presented films they had made interviewing immigrants. The two French pupils made a presentation, illustrated with photographs and a short video, of the ‘Jungle’ in Calais where hundreds of illegal immigrants, mainly from Afghanistan, are currently based with the expectation of somehow, or anyhow, crossing The English Channel to reach the UK. There followed a lively exchange of views particularly from those German pupils who have been studying this question in their English classes having watched the British film ‘It’s a Free World’ (on last year’s programme of activities) and the French film ‘Welcome’.
The first morning’s activities concluded with the opportunity for pupils and teachers alike to observe classes. Teachers noted the ease and the frequency with which the German pupils participated in class.
In the afternoon we were taken on a guided tour of Hanover and the day concluded with an evening meal for teachers at the “Ständige Vertretung”.
Thursday
Thursday was devoted to the question of German immigration. The political scientist Franziska Woellert from the prestigious ‘Berlin-Insitut für Bevölkerung und Entwicklung’ offered us some fascinating insights into the question illustrating her talk with graphs and statistics.
We were then introduced to three groups of immigrants (mainly parents) representing the different waves of immigration to Germany over the last thirty years; two Gastarbeiter (from Spain and Turkey), two ethnic migrants (Aussiedler from Kazakhstan and Romania) and two so-called economic migrants from Poland. Teachers and pupils were divided into mixed nationality groups and each group given the task of interviewing their immigrant. In the afternoon, groups had an hour to prepare the presentation they would make to the plenary session that followed. Pupils appreciated having the chance to express themselves in English at such length and share knowledge gained from ‘their’ immigrant with fellow participants.
Friday
Friday morning concerned the Turkish question. Wolfgang Mertens and Till Winkler started by showing us a film that they had made the previous summer starring our Turkish colleague Hüseyin Oztürk.
Hüseyin spent the first eleven years of his life in the town of Vlotho about 60 kms from Hanover before his parents decided to move back to Turkey. The film showed Hüseyin returning to the town of his childhood rediscovering places and people he hadn’t seen for over twenty years. The film was very moving and taught us much about how uprooting an experience emigration must be.
A round table discussion involving two parents of Turkish origin and chaired by Canan Topcu, a former pupil of GBG and now successful journalist working for the Frankfurter Rundschau, dealt with the Turkish question. The debate was animated and informative with many pupils, particularly those of Turkish origin, joining in to relate their experience of living in Germany.
In the afternoon pupils were given free time. Teachers in the meantime were shown an excellent film made by the Romanian team of the second meeting in Baia Mare.
Plans for Bursa
We then got down to the business of discussing plans for Bursa. The first item on the agenda was the dates. We agreed that participants would arrive on Tuesday 25 May and that the official programme would begin on Wednesday 26 May and conclude on Friday 28 May with participants leaving on Saturday 29 or Sunday 30 May.
We discussed activities for the meeting in Bursa. Hüseyin explained that he would build his programme around the theme of immigration while also offering teams an opportunity to discover Bursa and Istanbul. Between now and May our pupils will prepare presentations on news items related to the theme of immigration or emigration covered by the media in our respective countries. These will be shown in Bursa. It was also agreed that we would continue the tradition at each of our meetings of placing pupils in mixed nationality groups, this time with the task of producing posters promoting the underlying message of tolerance and anti-racism that has been prevalent throughout the two years of our project.
Saturday
The official programme concluded with a visit to the Museum of Emigration in Ballinstadt where pupils learnt the importance of Hamburg as a port from which millions of Germans, East Europeans and Scandinavians left Europe in search of a better life in the ‘New World’.
Teams returned home on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December.
A word of thanks
On behalf of all teams I wish to thank our German colleagues for producing such a rich and varied programme that none of us shall ever forget.
Alasdair Watts
Project Coordinator
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Interviewing Immigrants
Project meeting- Germany
Interview with Irina Schaad
• 44 Years old
• born in Kazakhstan
• has been living in Germany now for 19 years
Historical Background of Germans in Russia
In the 18th century Catherine the Great needed more workers for her land in Russia. Catherine the Great had a German Background and the economic situation in Germany was not very good. Therefore many people from Germany moved to Russia to find jobs and to work on the fields.
For more than 100 years the immigrants from Germany lived and worked in Russia, but they still spoke German and lived in German communities where only Germans lived.
Beginning of World War II
When Hitler invaded Russia, during Stalin's dictatorship, Stalin was afraid that the Germans who lived in Russia would assist the German troops. That is why he decided to make the Germans leave Russia and move to Siberia and Kazakhstan as a punishment where they were forced to work in labor camps.
Stalin was very cruel and arrested and murdered many people in Russia, too, when they seemed to be against the government. During this time Irina Schaad's grandparents were killed.
In the new countries where they were forced to live now, Germans did not use the German language in public anymore, because they were hated and mocked because of Hitlers politics.
Irina Schaad was born in Kazakhstan and learned the German language from her grandmother, who still spoke German as did many other older people.
When Stalin finally died, people got the opportunity to start a life in freedom and decide on their own. Unfortunately they did not know how to behave and how to use their newly earned freedom.
Irina's Arrival in Germany
When Irina arrived in Germany she was 25 years old and already had a 3 months old child. Irina and her husband were both well qualified. Her husband couldn't find a job corresponding to his qualifications, so he worked in a factory. Today he is very happy in his job, but he has more problems speaking German. Irina herself worked for an insurance company and did a training course to do her new job. She stopped working for 3 years to have another baby and bring up her child. After 3 years of maternity leave she went back to her work. Now she is in charge of the new recruits and apprentices and has many responsibilities.
When she arrived in Germany she suffered a cultural shock, because many things were different. Her parents had brought her up in a very strict way, so she had always done what her parents told her to do. In Germany children are more free and talk back to their parents. In school they can eat and drink in the classroom. And young couples live together before getting married.
Interview by Roxana Serba, Saskia Sack, Audrey Miege, Christiane Staub, Ibrahim Ozdemir, Lukas Thum, Sascha Remus, kayleigh Kirwan
José Carrascosa
We have interviewed José Carrascosa who has been living in Germany for almost 50 years. José was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1933. His mother died when he was a baby, he only had a father and a sister. He emigrated because it was a difficult period for Spain because of the civil war from 1936 to 1939 which ended in Franco's dictatorship. Spain was isolated from the rest of Europe. The most important reason to leave Spain was that his personal freedom was restricted because of corruption in Franco's regime. After he finished his military service, he decided to emigrate. He chose Germany because of the propaganda in Franco's dictatorship. Due to the connection between Franco and Hitler during the Second World War, the image of Germany in Spain was a positive one. José thought that Germany had a great landscape with beautiful blond girls. Before leaving he prepared himself by studying German on his own. He had to decide whether to buy a dictionary or a coat and he chose the dictionary. That shows his will to integrate into German society even before he arrived in Germany.
He came to Germany by hitch-hiking and reached Frankfurt in one night. In Germany he got some problems, for example to find a flat or a job. At first he lived in a hostel and shared his room with other immigrants. Then it was easy to find a job because workforces were needed and Spanish people were well liked. While doing several jobs and traveling through Germany he got good impressions of the country. Germany was different than he had imagined. People were always on the run and the lifestyle was faster than in Spain.
In 1958 he came to Hanover where he wanted to work as surveyor but he only got a job as builder. He started working at Volkswagen in Stöcken in 1959.
José lived together with German workers to improve his language skills. In 1961 he married a German teacher. The only problem was his father-in-law because he had prejudices against foreigners. He has two children: a daughter and a son. The daughter is a German citizen and speaks Spanish, and the son is a Spanish citizen and doesn't speak Spanish.
José still has a Spanish citizenship but loves both Germany and Spain. He is well integrated in German society and he sings in the church choir and he knows almost everyone in the village he is living in.
Interview by Boga Petruta, Christian Galert, Sarah Waldhauer, Christian Betke, Nils Düppers, Alice Arduini, Janina Babst, Halil Ibrahim Sunac
Renata Kurowska
Renata is an immigrant from Poland. She came here in April 1989. She used to live in Poznan, where she studied zoo technology. The reasons for her emigration were economical and personal. She traveled by car to Berlin before she moved to Hanover. At first she did many illegal jobs but she didn't want to work as a laborer so she started a course after which she had the opportunity to work in an old people's home, where she has been working for 12 years now. Her job is a pleasure for her because she always wanted to help other people. She is also very satisfied with the salary, which is very high in comparison with Poland.
When Renata first came to Germany she was very impressed by the beautiful landscape, nature and the infrastructure. She easily integrated into German society and always had a friendly relationship with other people. What she really liked was the anonymity in the big city and the way people behave. Despite of being away from her home country for many years she considers herself as Polish. As a result she refused to have a German passport. She visits Poland very often.
Piotr Kurowski
Piotr is Renata's brother. He has left Poland when he was 17 years old. It was in 1977. He has emigrated because of economical reasons. Piotr has finished his studies in Berlin. Then, he wanted to start a political career. At first, he used to work in a German Embassy. Because of his marriage with a student, he couldn't continue working as a politician. As a result of this decision he has started to work as a construction supervisor. He was doing that job for about 20 years. Now, when he is retired he has the opportunity to travel all around the world.
Piotr's first impressions when he came to Germany were very positive. Germans treated him in a very respectful way and as an equal part of their society. So he thinks that Polish people are well integrated and accepted due to the similar cultures of both countries.
All in all, we can say that both our guests are happy in Germany but they have never forgotten their Polish roots. For family reasons they are always looking forward to visiting their homeland but they are not planning to go back there for the rest of their lives.
Interview by Natalia Pawlik, Vanessa Seifert, Patryk Urbas, Markus Baumeister, Justine Laboret, Sarina Neumann, Claudia Fischer, Maria Frangou
Lotte Henz
During the Comenius project we interviewed five immigrants in mixed international groups in order to find out the specific experiences, motivation for immigration and their general views on integration.
Our group, consisting of Armin Bernsee (Germany), Paul Craciun (Romania), Florina Fanea (Romania), Jan Helle (Germany), Huseyin Karagoz (Turkey), Esther Klann (Germany), Saskia Pabst (Germany) and Adelina Steer (Germany), interviewed Mrs Lotte Henz, an ethnic German from Romania who emigrated to Germany after about ten generations of her family had lived in Romania.
She was born in 1961, is married and the mother of two children.
Mrs Lotte Henz emigrated in 1985 at the age of 24. Her motivation for emigration was family reunion and she moved to Hanover because her husband was offered a job in this area. Actually the decision to emigrate to Germany was made by her parents when she was four years old, but it took them 20 years to receive the permission.
Regarding her family history, her ancestors were settled among with a group of Catholic Germans in the South-West of Romania in order to protect the borders from the Ottoman Empire in 1783. There they formed a German community with their own churches and schools. Within this community, the German minority preserved their culture, language and traditions.
Mrs Henz said that they had no problems integrating into German society due to the facts that she spoke the language and that she was introduced by friends and relatives. That is why she considers herself special and privileged.
Thinking of her home country, she only gets nostalgic during Christmas time. Though she keeps in touch with Romanian friends and she is still interested in local politics. Mrs Henz only uses Romanian to communicate via e-mail with one Romanian friend. Also, she did not teach her children Romanian, because she did not consider it necessary. Her children only know some Romanian songs and proverbs. Still she cooks Romanian food from time to time.
She does not want to return to Romania as changes took place and there are no more family members left to visit.
Mrs. Lotte Henz pointed out that she was raised with the belief that the German minority in Romania was better than other minorities which lead her to form prejudices. But by coming to Germany her mentality changed by integrating into German society.
”I now look at the person and not at the place they come from.“
Mr. Sahin
Kemal Sahin was born in 1947 in Germany. His father came from Yugoslavia and his mother was from Germany. After their marriage they lived in Germany for a few years. He passed most of his childhood in Turkey. In 1964, when he was 17 years old, he went back to Germany. Three years later he had to go back to Turkey for military service. In 1971 he married a Turkish woman and they went back to Germany together to get work. At the beginning he had many different jobs, for example as a technician. He has got two children and three grandchildren. Today he is working for a mosque and there, he guides some tours, for example for school classes. This organization is called “Sura”.
When he came to Germany he had many language problems and so it was difficult for him to integrate.
Here are some aspects which he thinks are important for a great integration:
1. to respect the foreigners
2. to socialise with other people so prejudices can be banned
3. to be able to speak the language
In his eyes the integration starts nowadays. When he came to Germany there was no real integration for immigrants. He also thinks that equality is one of the most important preconditions for integration. In our interview he said that the integration has to start early, for example at school or kindergarten. He thinks that teachers have an important role for the children during their integration. His point of view is that religion plays a big role but it's not everything for a great integration. He expects that language is the base for communication. Everyone should be able to speak to the foreigners. He mentioned the danger of a “parallel society”. One reason for this is that the children only know their mother tongue because their families just watch the TV channels of their home countries.
Jale Yasan, Farina Meyfarth, Cem Yada, Tobias Leidig, Cecilia Moratelli, Ramazan Ozfidan, Berkay Tutuk, JasminaTews
Interview with Irina Schaad
• 44 Years old
• born in Kazakhstan
• has been living in Germany now for 19 years
Historical Background of Germans in Russia
In the 18th century Catherine the Great needed more workers for her land in Russia. Catherine the Great had a German Background and the economic situation in Germany was not very good. Therefore many people from Germany moved to Russia to find jobs and to work on the fields.
For more than 100 years the immigrants from Germany lived and worked in Russia, but they still spoke German and lived in German communities where only Germans lived.
Beginning of World War II
When Hitler invaded Russia, during Stalin's dictatorship, Stalin was afraid that the Germans who lived in Russia would assist the German troops. That is why he decided to make the Germans leave Russia and move to Siberia and Kazakhstan as a punishment where they were forced to work in labor camps.
Stalin was very cruel and arrested and murdered many people in Russia, too, when they seemed to be against the government. During this time Irina Schaad's grandparents were killed.
In the new countries where they were forced to live now, Germans did not use the German language in public anymore, because they were hated and mocked because of Hitlers politics.
Irina Schaad was born in Kazakhstan and learned the German language from her grandmother, who still spoke German as did many other older people.
When Stalin finally died, people got the opportunity to start a life in freedom and decide on their own. Unfortunately they did not know how to behave and how to use their newly earned freedom.
Irina's Arrival in Germany
When Irina arrived in Germany she was 25 years old and already had a 3 months old child. Irina and her husband were both well qualified. Her husband couldn't find a job corresponding to his qualifications, so he worked in a factory. Today he is very happy in his job, but he has more problems speaking German. Irina herself worked for an insurance company and did a training course to do her new job. She stopped working for 3 years to have another baby and bring up her child. After 3 years of maternity leave she went back to her work. Now she is in charge of the new recruits and apprentices and has many responsibilities.
When she arrived in Germany she suffered a cultural shock, because many things were different. Her parents had brought her up in a very strict way, so she had always done what her parents told her to do. In Germany children are more free and talk back to their parents. In school they can eat and drink in the classroom. And young couples live together before getting married.
Interview by Roxana Serba, Saskia Sack, Audrey Miege, Christiane Staub, Ibrahim Ozdemir, Lukas Thum, Sascha Remus, kayleigh Kirwan
José Carrascosa
We have interviewed José Carrascosa who has been living in Germany for almost 50 years. José was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1933. His mother died when he was a baby, he only had a father and a sister. He emigrated because it was a difficult period for Spain because of the civil war from 1936 to 1939 which ended in Franco's dictatorship. Spain was isolated from the rest of Europe. The most important reason to leave Spain was that his personal freedom was restricted because of corruption in Franco's regime. After he finished his military service, he decided to emigrate. He chose Germany because of the propaganda in Franco's dictatorship. Due to the connection between Franco and Hitler during the Second World War, the image of Germany in Spain was a positive one. José thought that Germany had a great landscape with beautiful blond girls. Before leaving he prepared himself by studying German on his own. He had to decide whether to buy a dictionary or a coat and he chose the dictionary. That shows his will to integrate into German society even before he arrived in Germany.
He came to Germany by hitch-hiking and reached Frankfurt in one night. In Germany he got some problems, for example to find a flat or a job. At first he lived in a hostel and shared his room with other immigrants. Then it was easy to find a job because workforces were needed and Spanish people were well liked. While doing several jobs and traveling through Germany he got good impressions of the country. Germany was different than he had imagined. People were always on the run and the lifestyle was faster than in Spain.
In 1958 he came to Hanover where he wanted to work as surveyor but he only got a job as builder. He started working at Volkswagen in Stöcken in 1959.
José lived together with German workers to improve his language skills. In 1961 he married a German teacher. The only problem was his father-in-law because he had prejudices against foreigners. He has two children: a daughter and a son. The daughter is a German citizen and speaks Spanish, and the son is a Spanish citizen and doesn't speak Spanish.
José still has a Spanish citizenship but loves both Germany and Spain. He is well integrated in German society and he sings in the church choir and he knows almost everyone in the village he is living in.
Interview by Boga Petruta, Christian Galert, Sarah Waldhauer, Christian Betke, Nils Düppers, Alice Arduini, Janina Babst, Halil Ibrahim Sunac
Renata Kurowska
Renata is an immigrant from Poland. She came here in April 1989. She used to live in Poznan, where she studied zoo technology. The reasons for her emigration were economical and personal. She traveled by car to Berlin before she moved to Hanover. At first she did many illegal jobs but she didn't want to work as a laborer so she started a course after which she had the opportunity to work in an old people's home, where she has been working for 12 years now. Her job is a pleasure for her because she always wanted to help other people. She is also very satisfied with the salary, which is very high in comparison with Poland.
When Renata first came to Germany she was very impressed by the beautiful landscape, nature and the infrastructure. She easily integrated into German society and always had a friendly relationship with other people. What she really liked was the anonymity in the big city and the way people behave. Despite of being away from her home country for many years she considers herself as Polish. As a result she refused to have a German passport. She visits Poland very often.
Piotr Kurowski
Piotr is Renata's brother. He has left Poland when he was 17 years old. It was in 1977. He has emigrated because of economical reasons. Piotr has finished his studies in Berlin. Then, he wanted to start a political career. At first, he used to work in a German Embassy. Because of his marriage with a student, he couldn't continue working as a politician. As a result of this decision he has started to work as a construction supervisor. He was doing that job for about 20 years. Now, when he is retired he has the opportunity to travel all around the world.
Piotr's first impressions when he came to Germany were very positive. Germans treated him in a very respectful way and as an equal part of their society. So he thinks that Polish people are well integrated and accepted due to the similar cultures of both countries.
All in all, we can say that both our guests are happy in Germany but they have never forgotten their Polish roots. For family reasons they are always looking forward to visiting their homeland but they are not planning to go back there for the rest of their lives.
Interview by Natalia Pawlik, Vanessa Seifert, Patryk Urbas, Markus Baumeister, Justine Laboret, Sarina Neumann, Claudia Fischer, Maria Frangou
Lotte Henz
During the Comenius project we interviewed five immigrants in mixed international groups in order to find out the specific experiences, motivation for immigration and their general views on integration.
Our group, consisting of Armin Bernsee (Germany), Paul Craciun (Romania), Florina Fanea (Romania), Jan Helle (Germany), Huseyin Karagoz (Turkey), Esther Klann (Germany), Saskia Pabst (Germany) and Adelina Steer (Germany), interviewed Mrs Lotte Henz, an ethnic German from Romania who emigrated to Germany after about ten generations of her family had lived in Romania.
She was born in 1961, is married and the mother of two children.
Mrs Lotte Henz emigrated in 1985 at the age of 24. Her motivation for emigration was family reunion and she moved to Hanover because her husband was offered a job in this area. Actually the decision to emigrate to Germany was made by her parents when she was four years old, but it took them 20 years to receive the permission.
Regarding her family history, her ancestors were settled among with a group of Catholic Germans in the South-West of Romania in order to protect the borders from the Ottoman Empire in 1783. There they formed a German community with their own churches and schools. Within this community, the German minority preserved their culture, language and traditions.
Mrs Henz said that they had no problems integrating into German society due to the facts that she spoke the language and that she was introduced by friends and relatives. That is why she considers herself special and privileged.
Thinking of her home country, she only gets nostalgic during Christmas time. Though she keeps in touch with Romanian friends and she is still interested in local politics. Mrs Henz only uses Romanian to communicate via e-mail with one Romanian friend. Also, she did not teach her children Romanian, because she did not consider it necessary. Her children only know some Romanian songs and proverbs. Still she cooks Romanian food from time to time.
She does not want to return to Romania as changes took place and there are no more family members left to visit.
Mrs. Lotte Henz pointed out that she was raised with the belief that the German minority in Romania was better than other minorities which lead her to form prejudices. But by coming to Germany her mentality changed by integrating into German society.
”I now look at the person and not at the place they come from.“
Mr. Sahin
Kemal Sahin was born in 1947 in Germany. His father came from Yugoslavia and his mother was from Germany. After their marriage they lived in Germany for a few years. He passed most of his childhood in Turkey. In 1964, when he was 17 years old, he went back to Germany. Three years later he had to go back to Turkey for military service. In 1971 he married a Turkish woman and they went back to Germany together to get work. At the beginning he had many different jobs, for example as a technician. He has got two children and three grandchildren. Today he is working for a mosque and there, he guides some tours, for example for school classes. This organization is called “Sura”.
When he came to Germany he had many language problems and so it was difficult for him to integrate.
Here are some aspects which he thinks are important for a great integration:
1. to respect the foreigners
2. to socialise with other people so prejudices can be banned
3. to be able to speak the language
In his eyes the integration starts nowadays. When he came to Germany there was no real integration for immigrants. He also thinks that equality is one of the most important preconditions for integration. In our interview he said that the integration has to start early, for example at school or kindergarten. He thinks that teachers have an important role for the children during their integration. His point of view is that religion plays a big role but it's not everything for a great integration. He expects that language is the base for communication. Everyone should be able to speak to the foreigners. He mentioned the danger of a “parallel society”. One reason for this is that the children only know their mother tongue because their families just watch the TV channels of their home countries.
Jale Yasan, Farina Meyfarth, Cem Yada, Tobias Leidig, Cecilia Moratelli, Ramazan Ozfidan, Berkay Tutuk, JasminaTews
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Feedback- Paul
Nervousness. I think that is what I felt before leaving my house. Getting into the right mood was a hard job for me as it was my first time out of the country. Slowly excitement took over and all the tension dissipated as me and my family waited for the arrival of the whole group. Talking to my aunts and my mother was interesting as they showed another kind of nervousness, they were scared and excited at the same time. But as the group gathered the tension seemed to be erased. “Goodbye”, “Be careful” and “Take care” were the phrases used by our loved ones as we got into the van that took us to Cluj.
After a two hour drive to Cluj, we arrived at the hotel where we spent the night. It seemed that phones kept ringing and even now mothers, fathers and loved ones kept telling us to take care and have fun in Germany. It was only then when I realized that I was really going to another country. Thoughts kept coming and leaving my head. After the phone finally went to “sleep” it was my turn to sleep.
We woke up at 4 in the morning to get the plane. We got at the airport in Cluj at half past five with a smile on our faces. As time passed by we kept talking and changing impressions of the “adventure” that was about to unfold in front of us. Being the first time I travelled by plane, it was really exciting for me as I experienced the sensation of flying. I guess you can compare it to a car that drives at 800 kilometres per hour. During our flight we all kept talking, some of us tried to sleep and it seemed it was all in preparation of touching the German ground.
We arrived in Dortmund at about 8 o’clock, we took the bus to the train station where we took the train to Hannover, the city where we would discuss about immigration, emigration and integration. I guess at the train station was the place where we had a taste of German hospitality as a nice lady gave us some pointers regarding our trip to Hannover.
As time passed by when we travelled by train, we were getting more and more excited as we were preparing for the moment when we would meet our hosts. We arrived in Hannover at around 12 o’clock where we met them.
It was then when Armin greeted me with a great smile and I felt relaxed and almost like home. It seemed that somehow this new and exciting place for me slowly became like a familiar spot where I usually came to visit friends.
When we arrived at Armin’s home I was greeted by a man with a smile that was full of warmth and he introduced himself as Armin’s father. Because I was tired I went to sleep in order to be more active and more focused during the project reunion.
It was after my short nap when I really got to see how open Armin and his folks were. I was welcomed into the family as a friend and not as a stranger. So I have to thank the Bernsee family for making my stay in Germany an extremely pleasant one.
The first day of the meeting was another reason of excitement that took over us as we were the first group that presented their interviews. So after getting over the anxiety and butterflies that seemed to keep flying around in our stomach, we managed to deliver our introduction speech and the short film was seen by the participants. It was still on this day that the Polish and Italian group presented their work and we could all see that everyone worked hard for this conference. After that we were given a very nice tour of the school by out German hosts, consisting of Armin, Esther, Saskia and Sarah which we have to thank.
After the meal we had at school we left for a tour of Hannover where Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Winkler acted as our guides showing us Hannover’s beautiful architecture and history. After the tour we all went home and prepared for a nice evening out with everyone and some international bonding. WE all talked and exchanged opinions and impressions.
The second day a presentation of the situation of immigration and integration in Germany was presented to us. It was interesting as it presented statistics that some of us didn’t know about and as we tried to see how the integration problem could be solved we realized that we all had the same problem regarding integration of immigrants, the only thing that was different was the number.
It was on this day that we had a very interesting interview with Ms. Lotte Henz, an ethnic German (aussiedler) who lived in Romania until the age of 24 and after that she came to Germany. Hearing her story was really interesting as she told us that she had no problems integrating as she knew the language, but for other immigrants this couldn’t really apply. So she considered herself blessed and privileged for her smooth integration in the German society.
Again stage fright took over me as we had to present our interview to the participants again. But the international team that was made I think managed to deliver an interesting presentation of the interview.
On the third and last day of the conference we had to write a presentation of the interview, an activity that all the members enjoyed as everyone had their input and the product of this multicultural team was introducing himself with pride as a good result of a tiring day. After this group work the interview with a journalist and two parents took place regarding the integration of Turks in German society, the interview was multilingual and sometimes hard to follow but nevertheless interesting and informational.
On our last day in Hannover, we took a trip to the “BallinStadt” Museum of Immigration in Hamburg, where we could see the place where immigrants came into Germany and the emigrants left. The introduction was really informational and interesting as it was very thorough and presented by an immigrant. The museum was well organized presenting the evolution of the migration phenomenon in Hamburg. I found it all very interesting as it was new for me and it got me captivated. After a short visit in Hamburg we had to go back to Hannover as we had to leave for Dortmund and after that to Romania. We swiftly took off to catch the train and we were bound to Dortmund. I think it was then when homesickness really took over and we really felt tired for the first time in the last week.
The next day when we arrived in Cluj, the phones started ringing again.
Overall the conference was a success and we all had to learn new and interesting things regarding the migration phenomenon in Germany, but we still have to start accepting all persons that immigrate to our country as we are all human beings that feel and breathe. We all have the same problems, but the difference is that they are on another level.
I have to thank Armin’s family for showing me kindness and accepting me into their home for a whole week, the Georg-Büchner-Gymnasium in Seelze for hosting the conference, the participants for taking a step towards integration, even if it is only a small one,. And last but not least to my form teacher for giving me the chance to participate in this reunion and the teachers that acted as our guardians in this trip.
Paul-Cristian Craciun
Romania, Maramures, Baia Mare
“Mihai Eminescu” National College
After a two hour drive to Cluj, we arrived at the hotel where we spent the night. It seemed that phones kept ringing and even now mothers, fathers and loved ones kept telling us to take care and have fun in Germany. It was only then when I realized that I was really going to another country. Thoughts kept coming and leaving my head. After the phone finally went to “sleep” it was my turn to sleep.
We woke up at 4 in the morning to get the plane. We got at the airport in Cluj at half past five with a smile on our faces. As time passed by we kept talking and changing impressions of the “adventure” that was about to unfold in front of us. Being the first time I travelled by plane, it was really exciting for me as I experienced the sensation of flying. I guess you can compare it to a car that drives at 800 kilometres per hour. During our flight we all kept talking, some of us tried to sleep and it seemed it was all in preparation of touching the German ground.
We arrived in Dortmund at about 8 o’clock, we took the bus to the train station where we took the train to Hannover, the city where we would discuss about immigration, emigration and integration. I guess at the train station was the place where we had a taste of German hospitality as a nice lady gave us some pointers regarding our trip to Hannover.
As time passed by when we travelled by train, we were getting more and more excited as we were preparing for the moment when we would meet our hosts. We arrived in Hannover at around 12 o’clock where we met them.
It was then when Armin greeted me with a great smile and I felt relaxed and almost like home. It seemed that somehow this new and exciting place for me slowly became like a familiar spot where I usually came to visit friends.
When we arrived at Armin’s home I was greeted by a man with a smile that was full of warmth and he introduced himself as Armin’s father. Because I was tired I went to sleep in order to be more active and more focused during the project reunion.
It was after my short nap when I really got to see how open Armin and his folks were. I was welcomed into the family as a friend and not as a stranger. So I have to thank the Bernsee family for making my stay in Germany an extremely pleasant one.
The first day of the meeting was another reason of excitement that took over us as we were the first group that presented their interviews. So after getting over the anxiety and butterflies that seemed to keep flying around in our stomach, we managed to deliver our introduction speech and the short film was seen by the participants. It was still on this day that the Polish and Italian group presented their work and we could all see that everyone worked hard for this conference. After that we were given a very nice tour of the school by out German hosts, consisting of Armin, Esther, Saskia and Sarah which we have to thank.
After the meal we had at school we left for a tour of Hannover where Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Winkler acted as our guides showing us Hannover’s beautiful architecture and history. After the tour we all went home and prepared for a nice evening out with everyone and some international bonding. WE all talked and exchanged opinions and impressions.
The second day a presentation of the situation of immigration and integration in Germany was presented to us. It was interesting as it presented statistics that some of us didn’t know about and as we tried to see how the integration problem could be solved we realized that we all had the same problem regarding integration of immigrants, the only thing that was different was the number.
It was on this day that we had a very interesting interview with Ms. Lotte Henz, an ethnic German (aussiedler) who lived in Romania until the age of 24 and after that she came to Germany. Hearing her story was really interesting as she told us that she had no problems integrating as she knew the language, but for other immigrants this couldn’t really apply. So she considered herself blessed and privileged for her smooth integration in the German society.
Again stage fright took over me as we had to present our interview to the participants again. But the international team that was made I think managed to deliver an interesting presentation of the interview.
On the third and last day of the conference we had to write a presentation of the interview, an activity that all the members enjoyed as everyone had their input and the product of this multicultural team was introducing himself with pride as a good result of a tiring day. After this group work the interview with a journalist and two parents took place regarding the integration of Turks in German society, the interview was multilingual and sometimes hard to follow but nevertheless interesting and informational.
On our last day in Hannover, we took a trip to the “BallinStadt” Museum of Immigration in Hamburg, where we could see the place where immigrants came into Germany and the emigrants left. The introduction was really informational and interesting as it was very thorough and presented by an immigrant. The museum was well organized presenting the evolution of the migration phenomenon in Hamburg. I found it all very interesting as it was new for me and it got me captivated. After a short visit in Hamburg we had to go back to Hannover as we had to leave for Dortmund and after that to Romania. We swiftly took off to catch the train and we were bound to Dortmund. I think it was then when homesickness really took over and we really felt tired for the first time in the last week.
The next day when we arrived in Cluj, the phones started ringing again.
Overall the conference was a success and we all had to learn new and interesting things regarding the migration phenomenon in Germany, but we still have to start accepting all persons that immigrate to our country as we are all human beings that feel and breathe. We all have the same problems, but the difference is that they are on another level.
I have to thank Armin’s family for showing me kindness and accepting me into their home for a whole week, the Georg-Büchner-Gymnasium in Seelze for hosting the conference, the participants for taking a step towards integration, even if it is only a small one,. And last but not least to my form teacher for giving me the chance to participate in this reunion and the teachers that acted as our guardians in this trip.
Paul-Cristian Craciun
Romania, Maramures, Baia Mare
“Mihai Eminescu” National College
Monday, December 7, 2009
Feedabacks - Project Reunion in Germany
I consider myself a very lucky student because I was offered the chance to go to Germany for a week. I am part of the Romanian team and I was very proud to represent my country. First I want to congratulate everyone involved, especially those who have organized this project reunion.
For me the whole experience, from beginning to end was a new one and unique.
Firstly, I had never travelled by plane, it was the first time and I was a little scared. But I realized that is not as scary as I thought, on the contrary it is very comfortable and pleasant.
Of course to get to Hanover we had to travel by bus to the train station in Dortmund and then by train. It was a long and tiring trip but worth the full effort.
I was accommodated by Sarah Waldhauer and I can say I felt like at home. Her parents are also special people and made me a great pleasure to be part of their family for a week.
The first days I visited Hanover and we went shopping and then we visited the school.
Each team presented the film with the interviews. All teams were very good and the presentations as well.
The activity that I liked most was that when we formed teams and got the interview and we presented the results. I was in the team who interviewed José Carrascosa. It was interesting to listen to his life story because I think it could represent, for all of us, an example of strength. He always wanted to be accepted in the German community and he always tried to improve his skills.
The interviews we had taken in our school had also been were very interesting. We found out about the difficulties the persons who leave their native country are being faced with.
I also liked the Hanover tour very much because we visited the most important parts of the city. Hanover is a wonderful place. Especially on the eve of winter holidays it is a very colourful city. In the Christmas market we could feel the magic and joy of the Christmas holidays.
Wednesday I had a special evening, which I will never forget. I was with Sarah’s parents at a Greek restaurant and I felt great and I thank them for those moments which they offered me.
Last but not least, we enjoyed very much visiting Hamburg and the Museum of Immigration. I liked it very much, because it reproduces very well the conditions in which immigrants lived and also what surprised me was that I could listen to each story.
In conclusion the project reunion in Germany was an experience I will never forget.
I thank once again Sarah's family and my form teacher for her trust in me and for this opportunity.
For me the whole experience, from beginning to end was a new one and unique.
Firstly, I had never travelled by plane, it was the first time and I was a little scared. But I realized that is not as scary as I thought, on the contrary it is very comfortable and pleasant.
Of course to get to Hanover we had to travel by bus to the train station in Dortmund and then by train. It was a long and tiring trip but worth the full effort.
I was accommodated by Sarah Waldhauer and I can say I felt like at home. Her parents are also special people and made me a great pleasure to be part of their family for a week.
The first days I visited Hanover and we went shopping and then we visited the school.
Each team presented the film with the interviews. All teams were very good and the presentations as well.
The activity that I liked most was that when we formed teams and got the interview and we presented the results. I was in the team who interviewed José Carrascosa. It was interesting to listen to his life story because I think it could represent, for all of us, an example of strength. He always wanted to be accepted in the German community and he always tried to improve his skills.
The interviews we had taken in our school had also been were very interesting. We found out about the difficulties the persons who leave their native country are being faced with.
I also liked the Hanover tour very much because we visited the most important parts of the city. Hanover is a wonderful place. Especially on the eve of winter holidays it is a very colourful city. In the Christmas market we could feel the magic and joy of the Christmas holidays.
Wednesday I had a special evening, which I will never forget. I was with Sarah’s parents at a Greek restaurant and I felt great and I thank them for those moments which they offered me.
Last but not least, we enjoyed very much visiting Hamburg and the Museum of Immigration. I liked it very much, because it reproduces very well the conditions in which immigrants lived and also what surprised me was that I could listen to each story.
In conclusion the project reunion in Germany was an experience I will never forget.
I thank once again Sarah's family and my form teacher for her trust in me and for this opportunity.
Petruta Boga
Romania
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
interviews with immigrants Laura Pellet
Interview with an Immigrant
Myriam HERIZI, an Algerian immigrant has kindly accepted to answer my questions. This is the interview :
Can you introduce yourself, please ?
My name is Myriam HERIZI, I am 32 years old. I come from Algeria and I live in Albertville.
How long have you been in France ?
I have lived in France since I was 7 years old. First my parents and I lived in the suburbs of Paris and after they décided to leave the capital in order to live in the provinces. So we moved to Albertville where I am still leaving now.
Why did you leave your homeland, Algeria ?
We are a huge family, there are 5 children. My father was the only worker in the family because my mother had to take care of us.My father's job was not well paid and since it was the only income of my family,life in Algéria was very hard for us and we didn't live in good conditions.They have always had a dream: one day they would like to leave Algéria and go to France to try their luck and enjoy a better way of life.As they knew a friend who had emigrated to France one year before, they decided to contact him to know if it was possible to come and what the procedure was. A month later, the décision was taken, we left Algéria, our country, our family, our friends and everything that we had there. This was the begining of a new life for us!
What was your journey like ? And what were your first impressions on your arrival ?
First my father left the country on his own. He took the plane directly to Paris and looked for accommodation where he could live and started to apply for a job. It was not easy for him to find a job but finally he succeeded in his search, and after 2 months the rest of the family (my mother,brothers and I) could join him there.
He sent us plane tickets and we came to France. When I arrived in Paris, I was only 7 so I don't remember clearly what my impressions were , the only thing I remember is that the city was very big and there were many people and I was very impressed.
What do you think about living in France ?
Living in France is the best thing I have ever known.I thank my parents for having taken this décision when I was young because it helped me to be quickly integrated and to enjoy a better éducation and now get a decent job. I didn' t have any problems about the language because we also speak French in Algeria.
Do you regret leaving your homeland ?
A part of me knows that Algéeia is still my country and I am proud of it but I don't regret that I left it 25 years ago because I don't think that I would have the same lifestyle in Algéria as in France. I come back to my homeland sometimes for holidays to help me remember a part of my childhood.
Laura PELLET 1ere ES3
Myriam HERIZI, an Algerian immigrant has kindly accepted to answer my questions. This is the interview :
Can you introduce yourself, please ?
My name is Myriam HERIZI, I am 32 years old. I come from Algeria and I live in Albertville.
How long have you been in France ?
I have lived in France since I was 7 years old. First my parents and I lived in the suburbs of Paris and after they décided to leave the capital in order to live in the provinces. So we moved to Albertville where I am still leaving now.
Why did you leave your homeland, Algeria ?
We are a huge family, there are 5 children. My father was the only worker in the family because my mother had to take care of us.My father's job was not well paid and since it was the only income of my family,life in Algéria was very hard for us and we didn't live in good conditions.They have always had a dream: one day they would like to leave Algéria and go to France to try their luck and enjoy a better way of life.As they knew a friend who had emigrated to France one year before, they decided to contact him to know if it was possible to come and what the procedure was. A month later, the décision was taken, we left Algéria, our country, our family, our friends and everything that we had there. This was the begining of a new life for us!
What was your journey like ? And what were your first impressions on your arrival ?
First my father left the country on his own. He took the plane directly to Paris and looked for accommodation where he could live and started to apply for a job. It was not easy for him to find a job but finally he succeeded in his search, and after 2 months the rest of the family (my mother,brothers and I) could join him there.
He sent us plane tickets and we came to France. When I arrived in Paris, I was only 7 so I don't remember clearly what my impressions were , the only thing I remember is that the city was very big and there were many people and I was very impressed.
What do you think about living in France ?
Living in France is the best thing I have ever known.I thank my parents for having taken this décision when I was young because it helped me to be quickly integrated and to enjoy a better éducation and now get a decent job. I didn' t have any problems about the language because we also speak French in Algeria.
Do you regret leaving your homeland ?
A part of me knows that Algéeia is still my country and I am proud of it but I don't regret that I left it 25 years ago because I don't think that I would have the same lifestyle in Algéria as in France. I come back to my homeland sometimes for holidays to help me remember a part of my childhood.
Laura PELLET 1ere ES3
interviews with immigrants Ines
A Rwandan Exile
Which country do you come from ?
I come from Rwanda, a small country in the heart of Africa. I decided to leave Rwanda in 1996 to escape civil war. Actually, when I came into France, the war was over. But there were still violent confrontations. Some of my relatives had been killed and I didn't feel safe in my homeland anymore. It was such a difficult choice but I felt threatened, that's why I decided to leave.
Why did you choose France to go and settle ?
Actually, I had to go to Germany. A friend of mine, who had married a German and who settled in her husband’s country, managed to get an entry permit for me. That’s why I took the opportunity to come into Germany. But my aim was to reach France because I already spoke French, so it would have been easier for me. I managed to come into Paris and I asked for political asylum. They first refused my request and I was threatened with being deported to Germany …
Finaly, did you manage to stay in France ?
Yes I did ! But it was long and difficult ! I was told to collect information in order to obtain the refugee status. I did it, but it took a while for me to get the right papers. I had to wait for about one year… I would call the prefecture every day to get information about my situation !
During this period, did you get an accommodation ?
Yes, I was hosted by fellow countrymen in Paris but I soon as I got the right papers, I decided to go to Lyon in order to start again a study period. Actually, in Rwanda, I had already graduated and I had a job. But when I arrived in France, I had to start from the begenning…
And, did you finally get your degree ?
I got it in 1999 in order to work as an auxiliairy nurse for the disabled. But I’m still looking for a job…
Have you ever suffered from racial discrimination ?
Yes… I’ve already applied for several jobs and sometimes, when I send a CV, then I get an interview. But as soon as people see my face, they don’t agree to hire me anymore.
So, you think it’s difficult to integrate into French society ?
I think so. Things are really different here. People don’t speak to each other. When you say « Hello » to somebody you don’t know, people look at you in a strange way… In my country, everybody talks to each other! And moreover, France is also very cold !
Yes it is. Do you have any plans for the future ?
I’d really like to join a charity, in order to work as a volunteer. I'd like to go and help people in poor countries.
Thanks for answering my questions… Good luck for your projects !
Ines FRESKO 1ES3
Which country do you come from ?
I come from Rwanda, a small country in the heart of Africa. I decided to leave Rwanda in 1996 to escape civil war. Actually, when I came into France, the war was over. But there were still violent confrontations. Some of my relatives had been killed and I didn't feel safe in my homeland anymore. It was such a difficult choice but I felt threatened, that's why I decided to leave.
Why did you choose France to go and settle ?
Actually, I had to go to Germany. A friend of mine, who had married a German and who settled in her husband’s country, managed to get an entry permit for me. That’s why I took the opportunity to come into Germany. But my aim was to reach France because I already spoke French, so it would have been easier for me. I managed to come into Paris and I asked for political asylum. They first refused my request and I was threatened with being deported to Germany …
Finaly, did you manage to stay in France ?
Yes I did ! But it was long and difficult ! I was told to collect information in order to obtain the refugee status. I did it, but it took a while for me to get the right papers. I had to wait for about one year… I would call the prefecture every day to get information about my situation !
During this period, did you get an accommodation ?
Yes, I was hosted by fellow countrymen in Paris but I soon as I got the right papers, I decided to go to Lyon in order to start again a study period. Actually, in Rwanda, I had already graduated and I had a job. But when I arrived in France, I had to start from the begenning…
And, did you finally get your degree ?
I got it in 1999 in order to work as an auxiliairy nurse for the disabled. But I’m still looking for a job…
Have you ever suffered from racial discrimination ?
Yes… I’ve already applied for several jobs and sometimes, when I send a CV, then I get an interview. But as soon as people see my face, they don’t agree to hire me anymore.
So, you think it’s difficult to integrate into French society ?
I think so. Things are really different here. People don’t speak to each other. When you say « Hello » to somebody you don’t know, people look at you in a strange way… In my country, everybody talks to each other! And moreover, France is also very cold !
Yes it is. Do you have any plans for the future ?
I’d really like to join a charity, in order to work as a volunteer. I'd like to go and help people in poor countries.
Thanks for answering my questions… Good luck for your projects !
Ines FRESKO 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Tom
Interview with an immigrant
What is your nationality ?
I’m Italian.
Where were you born ?
I was born in Palermo, in Sicilia.
Why did you come in France ?
I came to France because I didn’t have a really good job and you know that in Sicily there is the mafia and they were very violent with my father who had a small shop near my house.
Also I had a friend who was living in France and she told me that the salary was better.
When did you come to France ?
I came to France in 1986 with my parents, my brother, my sister and my wife, I was 38 years old.
Do you like France ?
Yes, I do. I think that France is a very beautiful country and I like the mountains that’s why I live in Savoy.
What was your journey like ?
I came to France with my father’s car, the journey took a lot of time. At first we went to Milan, in Northern Italy. After we decided to go to Paris because we thought that life was better there and we lived during two years. Then we went to Lyon because we had a cousin who had a flat as in Paris, the house was too small for us. In Lyon I found a good job in an oil refinery, this job wasn’t great every day, but it was well paid. In 1994, I saw an ad to work at Chambery’s town hall and I applied as a secretary. Then I bought a house. Now I’m living in Chambery and I’m retired.
What difficulties did you meet ?
At first, the most difficult was to learn the language, French is a very difficult language ! Also at the beginning, it’s wasn’t very easy to make new friends. But year after year, you meet a lot of people and you make new friends.
Do you think one day you’ll return to your homeland ?
Yes, I’m used to returning to my homeland every summer holidays since my family (my cousins and uncles) still live in Italy.
Do you prefer your homeland or France ?
I don’t know because Sicily and France are very different. In Palermo, the climate is warmer than in Savoy, but in winter, I can ski because it’s colder than in Italy but there is snow and I like it.
What was the attitude of other people towards you ?
In general, they ignored me, but in Lyon a man was very nice to me and my family and he tried to help me to find a good job, so thanks to him, I found the job at the refinery.
What do you like in France ?
I like France for the various and beautiful landscapes, such as Paris, which is the most beautiful city in the world, the very high Eiffel Tower. In Savoy, mountains are very beautiful with snow. Also, the climate is very temperate.
Tom STARNINI 1ES3
What is your nationality ?
I’m Italian.
Where were you born ?
I was born in Palermo, in Sicilia.
Why did you come in France ?
I came to France because I didn’t have a really good job and you know that in Sicily there is the mafia and they were very violent with my father who had a small shop near my house.
Also I had a friend who was living in France and she told me that the salary was better.
When did you come to France ?
I came to France in 1986 with my parents, my brother, my sister and my wife, I was 38 years old.
Do you like France ?
Yes, I do. I think that France is a very beautiful country and I like the mountains that’s why I live in Savoy.
What was your journey like ?
I came to France with my father’s car, the journey took a lot of time. At first we went to Milan, in Northern Italy. After we decided to go to Paris because we thought that life was better there and we lived during two years. Then we went to Lyon because we had a cousin who had a flat as in Paris, the house was too small for us. In Lyon I found a good job in an oil refinery, this job wasn’t great every day, but it was well paid. In 1994, I saw an ad to work at Chambery’s town hall and I applied as a secretary. Then I bought a house. Now I’m living in Chambery and I’m retired.
What difficulties did you meet ?
At first, the most difficult was to learn the language, French is a very difficult language ! Also at the beginning, it’s wasn’t very easy to make new friends. But year after year, you meet a lot of people and you make new friends.
Do you think one day you’ll return to your homeland ?
Yes, I’m used to returning to my homeland every summer holidays since my family (my cousins and uncles) still live in Italy.
Do you prefer your homeland or France ?
I don’t know because Sicily and France are very different. In Palermo, the climate is warmer than in Savoy, but in winter, I can ski because it’s colder than in Italy but there is snow and I like it.
What was the attitude of other people towards you ?
In general, they ignored me, but in Lyon a man was very nice to me and my family and he tried to help me to find a good job, so thanks to him, I found the job at the refinery.
What do you like in France ?
I like France for the various and beautiful landscapes, such as Paris, which is the most beautiful city in the world, the very high Eiffel Tower. In Savoy, mountains are very beautiful with snow. Also, the climate is very temperate.
Tom STARNINI 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Justine
Curiosity about the West
NAME : Milinkov
SURNAME : Ljubomir
DATE OF BIRTH : April 23rd 1938
IN : Sovac, Serbia
DESTINATION COUNTRIES : The United States & France
JOB : Artist
DATES
1962 : Departure to France
1967 : Departure to the United States
1972 : Exhibition in Louisiana
1973 : Exhibition in New-York
1982 : Return to France
1990 : Cover for a UNICEF book
1994 : Exhibition in Paris
2002 : Exhibition in New-York
Official website
http://sazelmad.free.fr/demos/milinkov/
Ljubomir Milinkov was born on April 23rd 1938 in Sovac ( Serbia ). He decided to come to France in 1962 ( he was 24 years old ) for several reasons. First, at the time there was Tito's dictatorship in Yugoslavia. Tito was a communist and stayed in power until he was 87 years old. He set up the personality cult and he had his opponents killed. Moreover, only one party was authorized. Ljubomir left his homeland so that he could have more freedom and rights. The second reason is curiosity about Europe. In fact, Ljubomir wanted to discover the western way of life and more particularly French culture. For example, he was interested in literature. The journey hitch-hiking from Serbia to Paris took 6 weeks. He stayed there 5 years. He was an artist in Montmartre and learnt French on the job. He didn't meet any problems and felt fully integrated. « I've been very well welcomed » he said. In 1967, when he was 29 years old, he took a plane and settled in New-York to acquire spiritual enrichment and a new vision of painting. « The United States is very different from France, but I enjoyed living in those two countries and I managed to get by in both » he said. The Serbian political refugee worked in restaurants as a waiter to earn money because he was broke. He obtained American Nationality after 5 years. In 1972, he came back to Paris, married a French woman and they had two children. He then obtained French nationality. He returned to Serbia after 25 years of absence. « My life has been eventful but I don't regret anything » he said to conclude the interview.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
interviews with immigrants Mélanie
Journey of an immigrant
José is 35. He comes from Pombal, situated in the west part of central Portugal. He has lived in France since the age of 18 He married Lourdes 12 years ago and he has got a child aged 11, Jacento. He works in a vineyard near Chambéry.
Mélanie PAGET: To begin, why did you choose to leave your country?
José: I wanted to find a job and earn some money. In Portugal, it’s very difficult to find a good job when you come from a modest family. At school, I wasn’t a very good pupil and the long studies weren’t made for me. I had found a manual job which was perfectly convenient for me in France. It wasn’t a choice but rather an obligation: if I wanted to succeed in life, I had to leave Portugal.
M.P: Why did you choose France instead of another country?
José: At first, I wanted to go to England because I could speak some words in English. It was easier to communicate with people and to find a job. But, my uncle already lived in France and he proposed me a job where I could be well paid and a place where I could be accommodated. I had a good opportunity and I accepted. Finally, I don’t regret coming to France.
M.P: How did you come to this country? Did you meet difficulties?
José: Near Pombal, there is a city, Leiria, where a bus regularly made round-trips between Chambéry and Leiria. We were about fifty in the bus but most people just went to France to visit their family. During the journey, I worried a lot about my arrival in France. I didn’t really know what was going to take place when I would arrive. During the journey, I almost turned back. The only problem I met was when I arrived in France: I didn’t know a single word of French. I felt lost.
M.P: How do you feel in this new country?
José: I don’t regret coming here. I’m rather well integrated in spite of my language difficulties. I learnt French in 3 months and now I can speak fluently. I consider France as my second mother. If you told me to go back to Portugal for ever, I don’t think that I would do it : here, now, I have my job, my friends, my family, my habits, … Living conditions are very pleasant here.
M.P: Do you think it’s selfish to leave your country to enjoy a better standard of living?
José: (Unsteady) No, I don’t think it’s selfish. My parents agreed and even urged me to leave Portugal. They knew that here I wouldn’t find a well-paid job because of my low school level qualifications. I wanted to prove them that I was able to succeed there. Also, every month, I send some money to my family: I work for me but also for them.
M.P: Do you miss your family?
José: No, because I often return to Portugal during the holidays. Then, today with internet, it’s easier to speak with them, I have more news. We see each other regularly with webcams: I have the impression to have them in front of me.
M. P: Do you think one day you will return to your homeland?
José: (Smiling) I don’t think so. I love this country. Today, I have my house, my friends, my family, my habits here. If I had to go back Portugal, it would just be for holidays and to visit my family.
Mélanie PAGET 1ES3
José is 35. He comes from Pombal, situated in the west part of central Portugal. He has lived in France since the age of 18 He married Lourdes 12 years ago and he has got a child aged 11, Jacento. He works in a vineyard near Chambéry.
Mélanie PAGET: To begin, why did you choose to leave your country?
José: I wanted to find a job and earn some money. In Portugal, it’s very difficult to find a good job when you come from a modest family. At school, I wasn’t a very good pupil and the long studies weren’t made for me. I had found a manual job which was perfectly convenient for me in France. It wasn’t a choice but rather an obligation: if I wanted to succeed in life, I had to leave Portugal.
M.P: Why did you choose France instead of another country?
José: At first, I wanted to go to England because I could speak some words in English. It was easier to communicate with people and to find a job. But, my uncle already lived in France and he proposed me a job where I could be well paid and a place where I could be accommodated. I had a good opportunity and I accepted. Finally, I don’t regret coming to France.
M.P: How did you come to this country? Did you meet difficulties?
José: Near Pombal, there is a city, Leiria, where a bus regularly made round-trips between Chambéry and Leiria. We were about fifty in the bus but most people just went to France to visit their family. During the journey, I worried a lot about my arrival in France. I didn’t really know what was going to take place when I would arrive. During the journey, I almost turned back. The only problem I met was when I arrived in France: I didn’t know a single word of French. I felt lost.
M.P: How do you feel in this new country?
José: I don’t regret coming here. I’m rather well integrated in spite of my language difficulties. I learnt French in 3 months and now I can speak fluently. I consider France as my second mother. If you told me to go back to Portugal for ever, I don’t think that I would do it : here, now, I have my job, my friends, my family, my habits, … Living conditions are very pleasant here.
M.P: Do you think it’s selfish to leave your country to enjoy a better standard of living?
José: (Unsteady) No, I don’t think it’s selfish. My parents agreed and even urged me to leave Portugal. They knew that here I wouldn’t find a well-paid job because of my low school level qualifications. I wanted to prove them that I was able to succeed there. Also, every month, I send some money to my family: I work for me but also for them.
M.P: Do you miss your family?
José: No, because I often return to Portugal during the holidays. Then, today with internet, it’s easier to speak with them, I have more news. We see each other regularly with webcams: I have the impression to have them in front of me.
M. P: Do you think one day you will return to your homeland?
José: (Smiling) I don’t think so. I love this country. Today, I have my house, my friends, my family, my habits here. If I had to go back Portugal, it would just be for holidays and to visit my family.
Mélanie PAGET 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Morgane
The fabulous destiny of a Scottish Savoyard
Julian is an immigrant who has been living in France for 29 years. He left Scotland when he was 23 years old. He has been living in Puygros, a small village near Chambéry in the Savoy department, since 1992. Before that he spent 12 years in Paris. He is a self-employed technical translator and has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Edinburgh University.
When and why did you decide to leave your homeland?
- I decided to leave Scotland in 1980. I left Scotland because my girlfriend was French and I had "fallen in love" with France! But from a very young age I was pretty sure I would not stay in Scotland – the country is beautiful but too small.
What was your journey like?
- I can't remember how I travelled when I came to live in France. But I came alone and I used public transport and showed my passport at the border. I had done the trip from Edinburgh to Paris frequently, often by train from Edinburgh to Dover, ferry from Dover to Calais, then train again from Calais to Paris. I have also done that journey by car, bus and plane. By plane it takes about 2 and half hours, by car it takes about 14 hours, and by train-boat-train it takes even longer.
Why did you choose France instead of another country?
- I loved France, plus the fact that French is the only foreign language I speak (my mother tongue is English) and I knew quite a lot of people.
What were your first impressions on your arrival here?
- When I came to France in 1975, it was the bustling and lively life style of Paris that impressed me. Walking down the Champs Elysées, sitting on the terrace of a “café” in Saint Germain or the Latin Quarter, or just taking the metro - It was all exciting.
How long did you think you would stay in France when you first arrived ? And now ?
- When I came in 1980, it was with the intention of staying for a long time, perhaps all my life.
I don't think I will leave France, I consider it my home now.
What difficulties did you meet?
- I had studied French at school, but did not speak fluently. The first time I stayed for a long time in France was in 1975-76 when I left school. The transition from "school French" to "real French" takes some time. To begin with it's difficult to follow conversations – everything goes too fast.
How long did it take to become integrated and what was the attitude of other people towards you when you arrived ?
- I became integrated almost immediately. Being a white European helps ! I found people very helpful and very friendly. They knew I came to improve my French. When I came back to live in 1980, I already spoke fluent French and was considered almost like a Frenchman (but with a slight foreign accent).
Now, I feel that people consider me to be a fully integrated member of the French community, a Frenchman with an accent if you like !
Was there a difference between the attitude of the townsmen and the countrymen ?
- When I arrived in Puygros, people took an interest in me because I was something of a "rarity" being British. In Paris (or any other large town or city), you are just one of the crowd.
Do you often speak your mother language?
- Yes, regularly with my job and my travels. I go to Britain about once a year and to Scotland every 2 years (roughly).
If you had to remake the choice you made when leaving your homeland, what would you choose ?
- I would do it again There are too many things, I like, in France, to list them. For example, I love the food and wine.
Morgane REYNAUD 1*ES.3
Julian is an immigrant who has been living in France for 29 years. He left Scotland when he was 23 years old. He has been living in Puygros, a small village near Chambéry in the Savoy department, since 1992. Before that he spent 12 years in Paris. He is a self-employed technical translator and has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Edinburgh University.
When and why did you decide to leave your homeland?
- I decided to leave Scotland in 1980. I left Scotland because my girlfriend was French and I had "fallen in love" with France! But from a very young age I was pretty sure I would not stay in Scotland – the country is beautiful but too small.
What was your journey like?
- I can't remember how I travelled when I came to live in France. But I came alone and I used public transport and showed my passport at the border. I had done the trip from Edinburgh to Paris frequently, often by train from Edinburgh to Dover, ferry from Dover to Calais, then train again from Calais to Paris. I have also done that journey by car, bus and plane. By plane it takes about 2 and half hours, by car it takes about 14 hours, and by train-boat-train it takes even longer.
Why did you choose France instead of another country?
- I loved France, plus the fact that French is the only foreign language I speak (my mother tongue is English) and I knew quite a lot of people.
What were your first impressions on your arrival here?
- When I came to France in 1975, it was the bustling and lively life style of Paris that impressed me. Walking down the Champs Elysées, sitting on the terrace of a “café” in Saint Germain or the Latin Quarter, or just taking the metro - It was all exciting.
How long did you think you would stay in France when you first arrived ? And now ?
- When I came in 1980, it was with the intention of staying for a long time, perhaps all my life.
I don't think I will leave France, I consider it my home now.
What difficulties did you meet?
- I had studied French at school, but did not speak fluently. The first time I stayed for a long time in France was in 1975-76 when I left school. The transition from "school French" to "real French" takes some time. To begin with it's difficult to follow conversations – everything goes too fast.
How long did it take to become integrated and what was the attitude of other people towards you when you arrived ?
- I became integrated almost immediately. Being a white European helps ! I found people very helpful and very friendly. They knew I came to improve my French. When I came back to live in 1980, I already spoke fluent French and was considered almost like a Frenchman (but with a slight foreign accent).
Now, I feel that people consider me to be a fully integrated member of the French community, a Frenchman with an accent if you like !
Was there a difference between the attitude of the townsmen and the countrymen ?
- When I arrived in Puygros, people took an interest in me because I was something of a "rarity" being British. In Paris (or any other large town or city), you are just one of the crowd.
Do you often speak your mother language?
- Yes, regularly with my job and my travels. I go to Britain about once a year and to Scotland every 2 years (roughly).
If you had to remake the choice you made when leaving your homeland, what would you choose ?
- I would do it again There are too many things, I like, in France, to list them. For example, I love the food and wine.
Morgane REYNAUD 1*ES.3
interviews with immigrants Michael
Maria Ferreira
Interview with a Portuguese immigrant
-Hello, what’s your nationality?
I’m Portuguese and I come from Lisbon where I was born.
-When did you decide to leave your country?
I left in my country when I was three years old. So I’m not the one who decided to leave but my parents.
-Why did they choose France instead of another country?
They decided to come to France because they had already come three years before and had found a job which allowed them to live. So, they wanted to find a job again to be able to bring me up.
-Did you come to France with your family?
Yes, I came to France with all my family because there were my brothers, my parents, my cousins, my uncle and his wife and also my grandparents. We all came by cars.
-What was your journey like?
My journey was very long because we stopped in a lot of cities before finally settling in Savoy. At the beginning, we lived in Nice for a short time then in Saint-Etienne, afterwards we lived in the Ain for one year then we left for Isola 2000 and finally to Savoy, to Albertville where I have lived for more than forty years.
-Did you know anyone in France when you first arrived?
No, unfortunately I knew nobody and neither did my father. It was very hard to find accommodation and a job.
-Did you have difficulties finding work?
Not me because I’ve been in France since my childhood but my father had a lot of difficulties particularly because he didn’t speak French very well. I remember when I was child we had to follow our father each time he changed job, it was very frequent. We were sometimes forced to sleep in bungalows next to sites so that my father could go to work, to allow us to live with a little money.
-Do you regret leaving you homeland?
No, I don’t regret leaving my homeland. I consider myself as a French person contrary to my parents who they will return to Portugal as soon as they can. As for me I sometimes go back to appreciate the country where I was born but I prefer staying in France.
Mickaël ROUX 1ère ES3
Interview with a Portuguese immigrant
-Hello, what’s your nationality?
I’m Portuguese and I come from Lisbon where I was born.
-When did you decide to leave your country?
I left in my country when I was three years old. So I’m not the one who decided to leave but my parents.
-Why did they choose France instead of another country?
They decided to come to France because they had already come three years before and had found a job which allowed them to live. So, they wanted to find a job again to be able to bring me up.
-Did you come to France with your family?
Yes, I came to France with all my family because there were my brothers, my parents, my cousins, my uncle and his wife and also my grandparents. We all came by cars.
-What was your journey like?
My journey was very long because we stopped in a lot of cities before finally settling in Savoy. At the beginning, we lived in Nice for a short time then in Saint-Etienne, afterwards we lived in the Ain for one year then we left for Isola 2000 and finally to Savoy, to Albertville where I have lived for more than forty years.
-Did you know anyone in France when you first arrived?
No, unfortunately I knew nobody and neither did my father. It was very hard to find accommodation and a job.
-Did you have difficulties finding work?
Not me because I’ve been in France since my childhood but my father had a lot of difficulties particularly because he didn’t speak French very well. I remember when I was child we had to follow our father each time he changed job, it was very frequent. We were sometimes forced to sleep in bungalows next to sites so that my father could go to work, to allow us to live with a little money.
-Do you regret leaving you homeland?
No, I don’t regret leaving my homeland. I consider myself as a French person contrary to my parents who they will return to Portugal as soon as they can. As for me I sometimes go back to appreciate the country where I was born but I prefer staying in France.
Mickaël ROUX 1ère ES3
interviews with immigrants Maud
‘WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY!’
At school, we spoke about immigration in English. That’s why our teacher asked us to interview an immigrant. I decided to interview my neighbour. It allowed me to know her a little more because I really didn’t know her story.
Petra KELLER is my neighbour, an immigrant who comes from Germany. Her story pleased me. When she arrived on her own in France, she was only 20 years old. She already knew Bernard; she met him during her previous visits. She didn’t leave her homeland with her family.
At first, she chose this country to learn the language and to feel happier. Then, she got married with a Frenchman, Bernard. In the course of time, she made many friends. She left her country to better herself.
Today, she has not the intention of going back to her homeland; her only visits are to see her family.
She came to France to have a better life. With her husband, she settled in the countryside so that she could be more at peace. Moreover, Bernard likes taking care of his garden and his beehives.
They have 2 children, Sarah and Martin. Sarah studied old architecture in India and Martin studied in Chambery.
Petra works in Grenoble. Her job consists in correcting school books to publish news. But Bernard has retired lately, she works less than before so that she can spend more time with him.
When she arrived in France, she was very surprised because she obtained her foreign language degree very easily. The hardest thing was understanding something which was simple for people but not for her. Petra also told me about the first time she used the phone in France. First of all, she didn’t dare but finally she decided to do it. She wrote on a piece of paper what she wanted to say. Then she dialled the phone number and the woman understood and asked her something. In the end she didn’t understand exactly what the woman said but was proud of the French woman understanding her.
When she was in Germany, the teachers repeated that she would never manage to speak good French. To conclude, Petra’s story gave me hope and helped me to understand that ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’.
I would like to thank Petra. Without her help I wouldn’t have managed to do this job.
Maud VIGUET 1ES3
At school, we spoke about immigration in English. That’s why our teacher asked us to interview an immigrant. I decided to interview my neighbour. It allowed me to know her a little more because I really didn’t know her story.
Petra KELLER is my neighbour, an immigrant who comes from Germany. Her story pleased me. When she arrived on her own in France, she was only 20 years old. She already knew Bernard; she met him during her previous visits. She didn’t leave her homeland with her family.
At first, she chose this country to learn the language and to feel happier. Then, she got married with a Frenchman, Bernard. In the course of time, she made many friends. She left her country to better herself.
Today, she has not the intention of going back to her homeland; her only visits are to see her family.
She came to France to have a better life. With her husband, she settled in the countryside so that she could be more at peace. Moreover, Bernard likes taking care of his garden and his beehives.
They have 2 children, Sarah and Martin. Sarah studied old architecture in India and Martin studied in Chambery.
Petra works in Grenoble. Her job consists in correcting school books to publish news. But Bernard has retired lately, she works less than before so that she can spend more time with him.
When she arrived in France, she was very surprised because she obtained her foreign language degree very easily. The hardest thing was understanding something which was simple for people but not for her. Petra also told me about the first time she used the phone in France. First of all, she didn’t dare but finally she decided to do it. She wrote on a piece of paper what she wanted to say. Then she dialled the phone number and the woman understood and asked her something. In the end she didn’t understand exactly what the woman said but was proud of the French woman understanding her.
When she was in Germany, the teachers repeated that she would never manage to speak good French. To conclude, Petra’s story gave me hope and helped me to understand that ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’.
I would like to thank Petra. Without her help I wouldn’t have managed to do this job.
Maud VIGUET 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Mathilde
FROM ITALY TO FRANCE: A COMPLICATED JOURNEY
FRANKA
What is your homeland? Where do you live now?
I come From Bergamo in the North of Italy and I live in St Pierre d' Albigny at present.
How long have you been in France ?
Since 1950. I was 21 when I arrived.
Why did you leave your homeland ?
My mother died in Italy and my father remarried. I had sisters already settled in France. Among my sisters, one lived to Aigleblanche ( Tarentaise), I joined her.
What was your journey to France like ? Did you travel to France on your own ?
I made the journey by car and by train, alone. I was afraid because it was the first time when I left alone and I did not speak a word of French.
Did you find work quickly ?
Yes, My sister made me start work in a hotel as general help, I had to give her all the money which I earned because she accommodated me. Later I was employed at a doctor's, I did everything: the housework, the reception, the telephone, the secretariat … But I was not officially then declared these years did not count for my pension.
Why did you choose to France in particular ?
I chose France because it was not far from Italy and I already had relatives over there.
Do you enjoy living in France ? Have you regrets?
I like living in France, I have no regrets because when I miss Italy I can return to it very easily because it is not far from St Pierre D' Albigny, where I live at present.
Did you find it difficult to integrate into French society ?
The language barrier gave me problems of integration. Furthermore, I was young and without experience of life.
Today do you feel you more French or Italian?
I feel very Italian because I am attached to my homeland and its traditions. I am here but my heart is still in Italy.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
ALFRED
What is your homeland? Where do you live now?
I come From Cismon del grappa in Italy and I live in St Pierre d' Albigny at present.
How long have you been in France ?
My father Nicolo arrived in 1922, alone. My mother, my brothers and I joined him four years later. We were seven brothers and sisters among whom some people were born in France.
Why did you leave your homeland?
We wanted to escape from fascism (regime established in Italy from 1922 till 1945, established by Mussolini and based on the dictatorship of a single party.
What was your journey to France like? Did you travel to France on your own ?
We travelled by car and on foot with very few belongings.
Did you find work quickly?
First I worked as a laborer in a quarry, then as a mason. Finally I was employed by Vetrotex (a large company manufacturing glass fiber) in Chambéry. There was plenty of work at this time but often it was rather hard physical work.
Why did you choose France in particular?
We chose France because there was only a single border to pass. It was close to Italy and France embodied freedom.
Do you enjoy living in France? Have you regrets?
I love France. I was able to build a family and a house here, to work: I was a football referee. My life here satisfies me.
Did you find it difficult to integrate into French society?
In the first years we stayed among Italians, we did not mix. Then with time we were accepted.
Today you feel you more French or Italian?
I now feel more French but this does not mean I do deny my origins.
Mathilde DURET 1ES3
FRANKA
What is your homeland? Where do you live now?
I come From Bergamo in the North of Italy and I live in St Pierre d' Albigny at present.
How long have you been in France ?
Since 1950. I was 21 when I arrived.
Why did you leave your homeland ?
My mother died in Italy and my father remarried. I had sisters already settled in France. Among my sisters, one lived to Aigleblanche ( Tarentaise), I joined her.
What was your journey to France like ? Did you travel to France on your own ?
I made the journey by car and by train, alone. I was afraid because it was the first time when I left alone and I did not speak a word of French.
Did you find work quickly ?
Yes, My sister made me start work in a hotel as general help, I had to give her all the money which I earned because she accommodated me. Later I was employed at a doctor's, I did everything: the housework, the reception, the telephone, the secretariat … But I was not officially then declared these years did not count for my pension.
Why did you choose to France in particular ?
I chose France because it was not far from Italy and I already had relatives over there.
Do you enjoy living in France ? Have you regrets?
I like living in France, I have no regrets because when I miss Italy I can return to it very easily because it is not far from St Pierre D' Albigny, where I live at present.
Did you find it difficult to integrate into French society ?
The language barrier gave me problems of integration. Furthermore, I was young and without experience of life.
Today do you feel you more French or Italian?
I feel very Italian because I am attached to my homeland and its traditions. I am here but my heart is still in Italy.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
ALFRED
What is your homeland? Where do you live now?
I come From Cismon del grappa in Italy and I live in St Pierre d' Albigny at present.
How long have you been in France ?
My father Nicolo arrived in 1922, alone. My mother, my brothers and I joined him four years later. We were seven brothers and sisters among whom some people were born in France.
Why did you leave your homeland?
We wanted to escape from fascism (regime established in Italy from 1922 till 1945, established by Mussolini and based on the dictatorship of a single party.
What was your journey to France like? Did you travel to France on your own ?
We travelled by car and on foot with very few belongings.
Did you find work quickly?
First I worked as a laborer in a quarry, then as a mason. Finally I was employed by Vetrotex (a large company manufacturing glass fiber) in Chambéry. There was plenty of work at this time but often it was rather hard physical work.
Why did you choose France in particular?
We chose France because there was only a single border to pass. It was close to Italy and France embodied freedom.
Do you enjoy living in France? Have you regrets?
I love France. I was able to build a family and a house here, to work: I was a football referee. My life here satisfies me.
Did you find it difficult to integrate into French society?
In the first years we stayed among Italians, we did not mix. Then with time we were accepted.
Today you feel you more French or Italian?
I now feel more French but this does not mean I do deny my origins.
Mathilde DURET 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Marie
An English woman’s story
I asked my immigrant a few questions about her reasons for leaving the UK, about her journey, about her living conditions when she arrived in France and about her integration and her situation today.
Her name is April. She first came to live in France in November 1998; she was 19 years old at the time. Before coming to France, she lived in a town called Oldbury which is about a 15 minute drive from Birmingham city center. This is the second largest city in England. She lived in a little house with her parents and her two sisters who are called Joy and Diana.
Before coming to live full time in France, she worked in France in an English children’s camp as a cook, she got to know quite a few French people who lived in the village and she liked the way of life here. She would come back and live here full time.
Therefore, in November 1998 she packed her stuff up said goodbye to her family and travelled down to Dover by coach and got the ferry over to France.
At the beginning living in France was hard because she didn’t speak French. She didn’t have any English friends near by so mentally it was tiring, even watching the television was hard she just watched the images and tired to work out the rest of the story.
One thing, she had to get used to was paying to see the doctor and having to sort out medical insurance. Whereas it’s free in England, unless you go private.
Another thing, she found strange was that everything stops at 12 o’clock a.m all the shops shut up and then reopen at 2 o’clock p.m. In England they stay open nonstop until 5 o’clock p.m.
Also, at lunch time the French eat a good hearty meal, whereas in England normally we have something light like a sandwich. Also they eat late on the evening around 7-8 o’clock p.m, whereas in England it’s about 5-6 o’clock. It was little things like this that she found strange, but then, she got used to it.
Then, learning to speak the language helped, because at the beginning she felt left out not being able to understand conversations, she felt rejected. People probably thought she was being rude as she didn’t participate in the conversation, but when she explained that she was English they seemed to understand.
In conclusion, it’s now been 11 years since she has been living in the north of France in a little village called Bremes-Les-Ardres. She lives with her French boyfriend and they have just had their first children. His name is James and hopefully he will be bilingual. She can speak and read French reasonably well now. She works for a ferry company checking in lorry drivers who are transporting goods to England. She has a lot of French friends but she doesn’t see them as French they are just her friends, and she still loves living in France. She doesn’t think she will ever go back to live in England but she stayed in contact with her family and she sees them for Christmas.
Marie WEPIERRE 1ES3
I asked my immigrant a few questions about her reasons for leaving the UK, about her journey, about her living conditions when she arrived in France and about her integration and her situation today.
Her name is April. She first came to live in France in November 1998; she was 19 years old at the time. Before coming to France, she lived in a town called Oldbury which is about a 15 minute drive from Birmingham city center. This is the second largest city in England. She lived in a little house with her parents and her two sisters who are called Joy and Diana.
Before coming to live full time in France, she worked in France in an English children’s camp as a cook, she got to know quite a few French people who lived in the village and she liked the way of life here. She would come back and live here full time.
Therefore, in November 1998 she packed her stuff up said goodbye to her family and travelled down to Dover by coach and got the ferry over to France.
At the beginning living in France was hard because she didn’t speak French. She didn’t have any English friends near by so mentally it was tiring, even watching the television was hard she just watched the images and tired to work out the rest of the story.
One thing, she had to get used to was paying to see the doctor and having to sort out medical insurance. Whereas it’s free in England, unless you go private.
Another thing, she found strange was that everything stops at 12 o’clock a.m all the shops shut up and then reopen at 2 o’clock p.m. In England they stay open nonstop until 5 o’clock p.m.
Also, at lunch time the French eat a good hearty meal, whereas in England normally we have something light like a sandwich. Also they eat late on the evening around 7-8 o’clock p.m, whereas in England it’s about 5-6 o’clock. It was little things like this that she found strange, but then, she got used to it.
Then, learning to speak the language helped, because at the beginning she felt left out not being able to understand conversations, she felt rejected. People probably thought she was being rude as she didn’t participate in the conversation, but when she explained that she was English they seemed to understand.
In conclusion, it’s now been 11 years since she has been living in the north of France in a little village called Bremes-Les-Ardres. She lives with her French boyfriend and they have just had their first children. His name is James and hopefully he will be bilingual. She can speak and read French reasonably well now. She works for a ferry company checking in lorry drivers who are transporting goods to England. She has a lot of French friends but she doesn’t see them as French they are just her friends, and she still loves living in France. She doesn’t think she will ever go back to live in England but she stayed in contact with her family and she sees them for Christmas.
Marie WEPIERRE 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Louison
Interview with Suzanne Le Puil, an Australian immigrant.
1) First of all what can you introduce yourself and what can you tell me about your immigration?
My home country is Australia and I was born in a town which is called Brisbane. Now I live in Saint Pierre d'Albigny. When I decided to leave Australia I was 25. Two years earlier, I met Serge, who is now my husband, during a trip to Africa. We travelled overland; it took us 6 months to come to France. We crossed Asia, China and east of Europe. We didn't take the plane; we took boats, trains and buses...
2) Do you remember a funny or difficult moment when you arrived in France?
It was difficult in the beginning because I couldn't speak to my mother-in-law. So during the meal I ate a lot because I couldn't speak and everybody said “oh she has a big appetite the Australian girl”. So I went to school in Paris during one month in “Alliance Française”. It took me six months to be able to speak to Serge's Family.
3) Do you appreciate French culture ?
Yes I love French culture. French people talk about everything (politics, religion, and they tell jokes about all the subjects). In France you can also bend the rules.
4) Do you remember if it was difficult to obtain all the right papers?
It was complicated, long and expensive to obtain all the French papers. First I married in Paris but when I arrived in Chambery they told me my papers were not good, however I was already married. I have had the French nationality for one year (it took one year to get the papers). For 20 years I was just resident and I didn't have the same rights, for example I couldn't vote. Besides I'm better paid since I have the French nationality I think it is not normal.
5) Have you already returned to your homeland?
Yes of course, I try to go to Australia every two years but it is very expensive. I have already been to in my homeland on my own and with my family, but my husband almost never comes with me he doesn't really like Australia.
6) Now do you enjoy living in France and have you got a good job?
I really enjoy living in France this is a great area and I love my job. I'm an English teacher in Chambery. But it was very difficult to have a permanent contract, a stable job. For 20 years I had temporary contracts. Besides in France there are the mountains and the snow but I miss the beach and the sea.
7) Did a person help you in particular?
A person who worked in the immigration office helped me to stay in France and to get my French papers faster. In the beginning to be a resident normally I had to work 2 years before I could work in France so because we knew somebody I only waited 1 year before I could work. But they accepted to help just because I was white, I spoke a little French and I come from Australia (a non risk country).there were two different systems in the immigration office: one system for the African people (very slow or nonexistent) and one system for the others.
8) Australia or France ?
It is a good question because now I have lived in France for 20 years, it means so longer in France than in Australia. I don't really know if I am French or Australian. When you are in France you say “Ah Australia is fantastic” but when you are in Australia you say ”Now I am a little bit French, it is not so great...”. When I am in France this is my home but when I go to Australia I say I “go home” so where is home. In this case I leave home to go home.
Louison Muller 1ES3
interviews with immigrants Léo Rubin
An interview with an immigrant:
What are the reasons which made you come to France?
First of all, I left Romania at the age of 23. I had been studying tourism for four years. I decided to leave my homeland in the 4th year of my studies. I thought I would finish them in France. But my main aim was to get professional experience in the tourist industry. Later, as I also really wanted to discover another culture and to improve my professional skills, I decided to leave France for Canada. There, I met THE ONE MAN of my life, he was French you know. So when he proposed to marry me and to live in his country, I didn't hesitate! So that's why I am back in France now...
Could you describe to me your journey from Romania to France by way of Canada?
I had contacts with a French family who helped me to find somewhere to live in Reims (200 Kilometers east of Paris). So I moved to a home with some other young immigrant adults like me. I left Romania on my own but I made friends among the other migrants rapidly. The fact that I wasn't alone as a migrant helped me to become better integrated in France.
I already knew the work I would apply for from the beginning. In France, I worked as a tourist guide for 3 years. Then, in 2005, I saw an ad concerning a national program of immigration between France and Quebec which interested me. Like my first journey from Romania to France, procedures were numerous and long (I had medical visits for instance). I had already left twice to go to Montreal in Quebec. There, everybody in the street was friendly and nice towards me! Just like towards every foreigner. Yet, when I wanted to find a job, it was more difficult.
I stayed 2 years in Canada before coming back to France. As I said I met a French man, we married and decided to live together in France. That's why I am here, living in a magnificent house with my husband in Challes-Les-Eaux .
What were the difficulties that you have met until now?
The first part of my journey went very well and I had few problems. Romanian and French cultures are very similar. From a professional point of view, it was very easy because my skills were recognized and there wasn't any discrimination in my job. Racism could be sometimes present in the French people's words.
In Canada, It was totally the contrary! My diplomas weren't recognized by employers. I felt it like discrimination, It was difficult for me. Moreover, the culture was very different. It looked like that of the USA and not that of Europe. So I had once again to adapt.
When I came back to France, the administration gave me many problems because I was Romanian and because, in 2006, my country wasn't in the European Union. At this time, to have a good job I had to work twice as hard as French people in order to prove my skills! You know, it was very hard professionally speaking.
Do you enjoy yourself in France now?
The problems I meet now are worse than before because I'm unemployed. I think racism is a cause of my situation and if I succeed in obtaining French nationality, it could improve my work conditions. Generally speaking, I enjoy myself in France because I have found the love and a stable emotional life in a beautiful house.
And finally, what did you learn from this experience? What did it bring you?
I have learnt positive and negative things from this experience. I think some things are more difficult in the sense that I always have to “fight” and to struggle to have something in terms of work or administrative things. Leaving Romania, then France and then Canada was an uprooting experience. I began three times something new, and for me this was the most difficult thing.
Yet, It permitted me to know many different mentalities Moreover, thanks to this experience and my studies, now I can speak four different languages: Romanian, French, Spanish and English.
And of course, I've met the man of my life!
Léo RUBIN 1ere ES3
What are the reasons which made you come to France?
First of all, I left Romania at the age of 23. I had been studying tourism for four years. I decided to leave my homeland in the 4th year of my studies. I thought I would finish them in France. But my main aim was to get professional experience in the tourist industry. Later, as I also really wanted to discover another culture and to improve my professional skills, I decided to leave France for Canada. There, I met THE ONE MAN of my life, he was French you know. So when he proposed to marry me and to live in his country, I didn't hesitate! So that's why I am back in France now...
Could you describe to me your journey from Romania to France by way of Canada?
I had contacts with a French family who helped me to find somewhere to live in Reims (200 Kilometers east of Paris). So I moved to a home with some other young immigrant adults like me. I left Romania on my own but I made friends among the other migrants rapidly. The fact that I wasn't alone as a migrant helped me to become better integrated in France.
I already knew the work I would apply for from the beginning. In France, I worked as a tourist guide for 3 years. Then, in 2005, I saw an ad concerning a national program of immigration between France and Quebec which interested me. Like my first journey from Romania to France, procedures were numerous and long (I had medical visits for instance). I had already left twice to go to Montreal in Quebec. There, everybody in the street was friendly and nice towards me! Just like towards every foreigner. Yet, when I wanted to find a job, it was more difficult.
I stayed 2 years in Canada before coming back to France. As I said I met a French man, we married and decided to live together in France. That's why I am here, living in a magnificent house with my husband in Challes-Les-Eaux .
What were the difficulties that you have met until now?
The first part of my journey went very well and I had few problems. Romanian and French cultures are very similar. From a professional point of view, it was very easy because my skills were recognized and there wasn't any discrimination in my job. Racism could be sometimes present in the French people's words.
In Canada, It was totally the contrary! My diplomas weren't recognized by employers. I felt it like discrimination, It was difficult for me. Moreover, the culture was very different. It looked like that of the USA and not that of Europe. So I had once again to adapt.
When I came back to France, the administration gave me many problems because I was Romanian and because, in 2006, my country wasn't in the European Union. At this time, to have a good job I had to work twice as hard as French people in order to prove my skills! You know, it was very hard professionally speaking.
Do you enjoy yourself in France now?
The problems I meet now are worse than before because I'm unemployed. I think racism is a cause of my situation and if I succeed in obtaining French nationality, it could improve my work conditions. Generally speaking, I enjoy myself in France because I have found the love and a stable emotional life in a beautiful house.
And finally, what did you learn from this experience? What did it bring you?
I have learnt positive and negative things from this experience. I think some things are more difficult in the sense that I always have to “fight” and to struggle to have something in terms of work or administrative things. Leaving Romania, then France and then Canada was an uprooting experience. I began three times something new, and for me this was the most difficult thing.
Yet, It permitted me to know many different mentalities Moreover, thanks to this experience and my studies, now I can speak four different languages: Romanian, French, Spanish and English.
And of course, I've met the man of my life!
Léo RUBIN 1ere ES3
interviews with immigrants Laura Voinot
Journey of an immigrant
For this work I chose an immigrant who is a friend of my parents. She comes from Italy.
Hello, can you tell me about yourself please?
Hello, my name is Laura, I’m forty six. I’m Italian.
When did you arrive in France?
I arrived in France in 1977, at the age of my 14.
Did you come to France with your family?
Yes I came with my mother and my two sisters. We went to join my father who had already lived in France for three years.
Why was your father already in France?
My uncle, was much younger than my father, and had left Italy during his adolescence with his parents. My father had stayed in Italy with my mother. His brother had found him a job that’s why he came to live in France. After 3 working years in France, my father had earned a lot of money, and we to join him.
Did you go there for better living conditions?
Yes because we lived in this period in the south of the Italy and living conditions were not good. Moreover we had no family in Italy. And my sisters and I did not know the family towards my father.
What was the journey like?
The journey… A long story! Very hard but not too long. We found it was difficult when we arrived here.
Can you explain?
Sure, it’s finished now and history! To begin with as I’ve already explained my mother my sisters and me, we did not have much money. We succeeded in taking the train from our small village in Calabria then to Cosenza and on to Milan. This trip took us a lot of time, 2 or 3 days, I don’t know exactly. Once arrived in France, we had no more money to take the train which went directly from Milan to France. But we had to go fast because my father was waiting for us at the border. We thus hitchhiked to Turin.
All four of you?
Yes, a truck took us. We were very lucky. Then to go from Turin to the border, we had to travel secretly because at this period many Italians were sent back. A truck driver took us in his lorry. I am going to stop speaking to you about the journey, because it’s not really interesting.
What were your first impression on your arrival here?
At the beginning it was very difficult because we did not speak French, but the inhabitants of our village were very welcoming.
Ok. Thank you for giving me your time.
Laura VOINOT 1èreES3
For this work I chose an immigrant who is a friend of my parents. She comes from Italy.
Hello, can you tell me about yourself please?
Hello, my name is Laura, I’m forty six. I’m Italian.
When did you arrive in France?
I arrived in France in 1977, at the age of my 14.
Did you come to France with your family?
Yes I came with my mother and my two sisters. We went to join my father who had already lived in France for three years.
Why was your father already in France?
My uncle, was much younger than my father, and had left Italy during his adolescence with his parents. My father had stayed in Italy with my mother. His brother had found him a job that’s why he came to live in France. After 3 working years in France, my father had earned a lot of money, and we to join him.
Did you go there for better living conditions?
Yes because we lived in this period in the south of the Italy and living conditions were not good. Moreover we had no family in Italy. And my sisters and I did not know the family towards my father.
What was the journey like?
The journey… A long story! Very hard but not too long. We found it was difficult when we arrived here.
Can you explain?
Sure, it’s finished now and history! To begin with as I’ve already explained my mother my sisters and me, we did not have much money. We succeeded in taking the train from our small village in Calabria then to Cosenza and on to Milan. This trip took us a lot of time, 2 or 3 days, I don’t know exactly. Once arrived in France, we had no more money to take the train which went directly from Milan to France. But we had to go fast because my father was waiting for us at the border. We thus hitchhiked to Turin.
All four of you?
Yes, a truck took us. We were very lucky. Then to go from Turin to the border, we had to travel secretly because at this period many Italians were sent back. A truck driver took us in his lorry. I am going to stop speaking to you about the journey, because it’s not really interesting.
What were your first impression on your arrival here?
At the beginning it was very difficult because we did not speak French, but the inhabitants of our village were very welcoming.
Ok. Thank you for giving me your time.
Laura VOINOT 1èreES3
interviews with immigrants Laetitia
Interview with an Italian immigrant
One day in
The couple chose France because it was the nearest country and there was some work. They preferred settling in Savoie because there were other Italians there and this region is close to the border. They travelled by train. They stayed 20 hours seated in the corridor with their luggage. The journey was long, tiring and hard. It is
First, they lived in a hotel. Luckily, they found jobs quickly: Giuseppina worked as a cleaner and Giuseppe was a builder. Because of their jobs they rented an apartment in Cognin. It was very tricky for them to integrate into French society. In fact, they didn’t speak French, and they didn’t know how to read and write. So, it was hard for the administrative documents likes the driving license and identity papers.
They have been living in France for 47 years and they love this country. They have 3 children who speak the two languages: Italian and French. This family is a mixture of two cultures. The Italian culture is always present in their lives. Frequently, they return to their small Italian village “San Pietro in Amentea” to go back to their roots. They meet up with family and friends again.
So there is the story of my grandparents.
Laetitia MASSARD-COMBE 1ère ES3
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