I’m an Immigrant from Somalia. The UK Is Disgusting. Why Did I Even Bother Coming Here?
I’m an Immigrant from Somalia. The UK Is Disgusting. Why Did I Even Bother Coming Here?: A Complete Guide
Migration to a new country can mean starting a new life. For a person coming from Somalia, the UK could mean security, opportunities, education, jobs, and the hope for a better future. However, the realities of migration to a new country could be far different from what people might see on television, social networks, the stories of their families, or the information that they see on the migration advertisement.
For the many newcomers to the country, such simple activities like searching for housing, navigating through the city, having appointments, or figuring out how things work in the city could make their first couple of months hard. Transport could make a difference for people in such cities as Glasgow where they might need the services of Glasgow City Private Hire Taxi whether for business or leisure. But transport would just be a small part of the big process of adjustment to the new country.
The Reality Behind the Dream of Moving to the UK
Prior to coming to Britain, it is easy to envisage the ease of life once you have arrived. One might expect the life of having a steady job, a nice house, good neighbors, top-notch public amenities and a clear road to financial freedom.
In actuality, there can be much more to it.
Britain does indeed have many qualities, but it is far from perfect. Housing prices can be very high, especially in the big cities. Securing good employment opportunities could also take some time as one’s qualifications obtained abroad might not be immediately recognized. There could also be issues regarding the weather, if one was used to a warmer climate; the shorter days, colder temperature and frequent rainfall might not please the newcomers.
There can also be cultural aspects that will take time to grasp. The social demeanor in Britain might seem distant and unapproachable to one who comes from an environment where connections are much more pronounced.
Why the UK Can Feel Disappointing After Immigration
One of the main causes of disappointment among immigrants is the disparity between expectations and reality.
A person might have invested many years thinking about Britain as a rich country where there are numerous opportunities. However, upon arriving in the new place, he may face high rents, tough working hours, complicated bureaucracy, crowded transport, and problems finding friends.
This could raise the following critical question: What was the point of even coming here?
This question does not always have to indicate that one has made the wrong choice. This question may just reflect exhaustion and frustration.
An immigration process implies the need to leave behind food, language, family, culture, scenery, and daily routine. Even if the immigration process is chosen willingly, there might arise such feeling as homesickness. For the Somali immigrants, building ties with relatives and traditions while adjusting to life in Britain could become an integral element of forming a new identity.
The Challenge of Starting Again in an Unfamiliar Country
Restarting demands immense amounts of patience.
A new arrival will need to relearn all things that might be related to the healthcare system, job opportunities, the functioning of council services, public transport and needed documents for regular activities.
It can be quite challenging even to travel at first. A person that has just arrived will not know what bus should be taken, where the train station is located and how far the airport is from his accommodation. Travelling to the airport can be especially challenging with luggage or kids.
Transportation services will become very important in such a case. Those living near Glasgow will be able to get rid of the challenges related to travelling to the airport by booking Glasgow Airport pick up and drop off service.
Yet, finding solutions to practical issues does not mean dealing with emotional ones.
Dealing With Loneliness and Culture Shock
The problem of culture shock is frequently under-rated.
First of all, everything seems new and exciting. There are lots of streets, shops, buildings, accents, foods, traditions to explore. However, after several months, all differences might seem boring.
Everything starts being compared with one’s native culture.
Why people act this way? Why foods differ? Why everyone is always busy? Why it is so hard to have close friends? Why the weather changes so quickly?
Such questions might transform one’s interest into disappointment.
Loneliness will only intensify those emotions. For instance, when a person leaves Somalia, he or she finds himself many miles away from parents, siblings, friends of childhood. Even if modern technology allows making a video call, it cannot substitute the sitting with your family.
It is necessary to understand this aspect of migration experience. The feeling of disappointment does not necessarily mean that there is nothing good about Britain.
Finding Community While Building a New Life
Community can have a really big effect.
It is common that immigrants gain a lot by making contact with those who share similar experiences. Somali community organisations, religious communities, cultural communities, sports teams, neighborhood groups, and local charities are all places where one may find people to connect with.
On the other hand, building relations outside the immigrant community can also help one better understand British society. One can join a local class, volunteer, get engaged in some sports, and even in community activities to gain chances for making new friendships which would not arise otherwise.
One does not have to choose between being Somali and living in Britain.
People can hold on to their language, food, traditions, families and culture, but at the same time become accustomed to the British ways of life.
Is Life in Britain Really as Bad as It Feels?
However, when people feel tired, lonely, unemployed, and are financially suffering, it seems that there is nothing good about their new country at all.
However, experiences of immigrants differ from each other greatly.
One of the immigrants might have a good job, friends, have his/her own house and feel at ease in the new country. The other might have problems with accommodation, job search, discrimination or isolation. Both of these experiences are true.
Moreover, it is necessary to make distinction between dissatisfaction with certain systems and with the whole country. There are problems in Britain, like in any other country. Dissatisfaction with high prices for houses, with bureaucracy, poor services or bad work conditions is justified. But one negative experience does not define the life of everybody in the UK.
Giving Yourself Time to Adjust
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons to learn as an immigrant is to give oneself time.
Getting accustomed to a new nation will take more than one day. Learning the culture, learning about how things work in the country, getting a job, making friends, and finding some semblance of comfort can take months and years.
It is completely natural for an individual to have times when one questions his/her decision to move.
This does not mean that an individual's decision was wrong, and it is the perfect time to reconsider what one needs. Perhaps it is the job and not the country. Perhaps it is the accommodation and not the country. Perhaps isolation is making everything harder. Perhaps one should move to another part of the UK altogether.
Sometimes, the solution is not whether to stay or to go but whether to change something in one's surroundings.
Building a Future Without Losing Your Past
Being an immigrant does not entail leaving behind everything you have known.
For a Somali person, one can retain their memories, relatives, language, culture and way of life despite developing a new life in the UK. The task is that of crafting a future in which one’s identity can fit well.
One may find that the UK is not all that he thought it was before migrating. There will be instances of frustration, hardships and periods when one questions his decision.
However, a rough start does not necessarily have to shape one’s entire experience.
Having realistic expectations, building solid relationships, proper planning and giving oneself enough time, an immigrant can go from just existing in the new country to thriving in it.
Maybe the question that should not be asked is not: “Why did I even come here?”
It should be: “How do I have to change my circumstances to ensure that the life I hoped for becomes possible?”
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