Other stories in this section
- George, 40, an ICT teacher from China
- Haddie, 26, an illegal immigrant from Ghana
- Richard, 80, a newpaper editor from Austria
- Karnvir, 27, a finance student from India
- Halil, 22, a youth worker from Kosovo
- Jarek, 24, a kitchen porter and cleaner form Poland
- Ylva, 24, a fashion designer from Sweden
See also
Diversity and integration
- Britain's ethnic diversity
- A brief history of migration
- Multiculturalism, integration and the CRE
- Words and meanings
- Why we came to Britain
- Test yourself with our quiz
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This page was last updated on 24 November 2006
'Why we came to Britain'
People come to the UK for many reasons: some because they are fleeing for their lives; some to do business; some to study and learn; and some to marry or join their families.
In this series of interviews, which are based on a selection originally published in the summer 2003 issue of the CRE's former magazine Connections, we hear from seven people who came to Britain at different times, and for different reasons.
"I believe I've always contributed to society"
George is a 40-year-old ICT teacher at a secondary school in London. He came to Britain from China in 1987 on a student visa.
"My immigration status stops everything"
Haddie is a 26-year-old 'illegal immigrant'. She came to the UK from Gambia in 1996.
"It's still a moot point how integrated I feel"
Richard Grunberger, who died in 2005 at the age of 80, moved to Britain from Austria in 1938 as part of mass evacuation of Jewish children before the Second World War.
"I don't want to do this forever - I am tired all the time."
Jarek Kowalik, 24, from Poland, arrived in London in 2004 and is currently working as a kitchen porter and cleaner.
"I'm not interested in being a permanent migrant"
Karnvir Mundrey is a 27-year-old MSc finance student at the London School of Economics. He is applying to the highly-skilled migrants programme.
"I'm on another planet"
Halil Baloshi is a 22-year-old youth worker with Albanian Youth Action. He also works for Bexley Council with asylum seekers.
"We stitch together friendship groups that are global... it's more creative and interesting"
A 24-year-old fashion designer from Sweden, Ylva works in a fashion shop and sells her own designs at markets in London.
