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
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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
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