Interviews (18)

Valentina arrived in Devon in the summer of 2012. She was born in a little town called Fagnigola, in the North-East of Italy, and can speak Italian and English. Before moving to England, she worked in an English school in Udine which helped her to…

(2021-08-02)

Pilar was born in Barcelona, Spain and moved to Exeter in 2013. She currently lives with her husband, who is originally from Chile, and her four children. She is a native Spanish and Catalan speaker and also speaks English (although she is reluctant…

(2021-08-02)

Olya was born in Moldova to Russian parents during the time of the Soviet Union. As a child, she briefly moved to Algeria on account of her father’s job, but she completed most of her studying in Moldova. Despite being born to Russian parents, and…

Nerea is originally from Bilbao in the Basque Country, and has been living in the United Kingdom for around twenty years. Before settling in Totnes with her son, Nerea spent time in Holland and Cornwall. She speaks Spanish, Basque - which she learnt…

(2021-08-02)

Neli first came to Exeter in 2002 to learn English for a year, from Mexico City. She made great friends here, as well as improving her English and meeting her future husband (Mark). After her year studying English in Exeter, she went back to Mexico…

(2021-08-02)

Marie moved to Devon in September 2020 with her husband and daughter, after living and working in Oxford for six years. Marie is from Charente-Maritime on the West coast of France, and prior to living in England has lived in Spain, Australia,…

(2021-08-02)

Maisaa arrived in the UK 11 years ago with her husband to further their education. She was born and grew up in Latakia, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria but moved to Damascus after her degree to work in the Ministry of Education. She married 18…

(2021-08-02)

Leandro is originally from Uberlândia, Brazil, which he described as being right in the middle of Brazil, “similar to the midlands” in the UK. Since moving to the UK 17 years ago, he has lived in Ireland, London, Leicester, Coventry, Leamington Spa…

(2021-08-02)

Julie was born in Strasbourg, France, where she grew up and went to school. A postgraduate research placement in Darwin, Australia presented her with her first life-changing experience of living in a different culture. Although she had studied…

(2021-08-02)

Judith first came to Exeter to study English and Film at the University. She also lived in London and Cambridge before moving to Devon in 2014 after completing her Doctorate in Vienna. She was born and grew up in Villach, Austria, a town on the…