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Upon completion of her degree in Advertising and Public Relation in Spain, Laura first came to Brighton alone in September 2010 in order to improve her English and her employability, as the economic situation in Spain is worse than that in the UK. She now works and lives in London.
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Challenge

At her first host family in Brighton, she felt quite isolated. ‘They didn’t pay me any attention, I was alone all day, and I had no body who wanted to speak with me,’ recalls Laura. This problem was solved after she changed her host family. ‘It [her second family] was great, [and there were] lots of people at home. They spoke with me. That was amazing, because she [the host mother] allowed me to help her and play with kids, I could do everything I wanted, and I felt quite comfortable. Because I don’t have my family here, they at least gave me a chance to feel at home.’

After she improved her English, she moved to London to look for a job. ‘I had my degree and I know lots of things, I have work experiences in Spain, and my English was better… So I thought I could find a job here (London).’ However, after one and half months of job hunting, she could not find anything. ‘I wanted to take my suit case and go back home. I did not feel really comfortable here to meet new people, to find a job, to start my life again… The city was really big for me.’

Tipping Point

Unable to find a job and with her saving running out, she was looking for a plane ticket to go back home. Suddenly, a friend of her called her and mentioned a job opportunity. She went to the interview, and was offered a two week’s position. After that, the company decided to keep Laura, as ‘they noticed that I was the only one person, who knew how to do communication,’ and offered her six-month contract. Now she develops communication plans. ‘I am happy that I can apply everything I know.’

Belonging: ‘I can express my feeling to my friends in my mother tong…’

Laura is now happy to be in London. ‘I have good friends and a good job- that encourage me to continue working,’ says Laura. She became close to her flatmates, most of who are from Spain or Italy. ‘Every day you meet people, but you need to have a feeling of connection.’ She has that kind of connection with her flatmates, as they have similar characters to her and understand her language. ‘You want to say your feelings. You want to say important things. We can understand each other. […] Within just two months, the relations [with them] developed quickly, because everybody here is alone. Everybody opened his/her mind, heart and love, and try to help other people… ‘

After her current contract expires, Laura is planning to stay in London. She is now more confident to look for another opportunity. She has experienced ups and downs, found emotional support from her close friends, and now works here. ‘I miss my family and friends from home town a lot, but I could have more chances here. I have been working here. So that would open more doors [for me]. Even with bad moments, I can continue with friends.’

Laura needs family-type atmosphere for her well-being. The combination of having that emotional support in a close circle of her friends from similar cultural backgrounds, to who she can express her feelings deeply and accurately in her mother tong as well as having a job in which she could make the most of what she has studied has made her life in the UK comfortable and fulfilling.