Essex Life

Adam:

We didn't need visas because Poland had joined the EU.  Joanna had a job all set up because she went through the recruitment process in Poland. 

She got a job as a care assistant in a nursing home.  After two months looking for a job in graphic design I did what every Polish person does in England and started to clean. 

After a year I found a nice job as a technician in Southend and Joanna got a different job in care.

Joanna:

I'd been earning £250 pounds a month as a social worker in Poland, and although the pay has gone up to about £400 its still better to earn money in Britain. 

The care work in Southend is very different and it's my first experience of people with learning disabilities.  I love it and it's great.

Adam:

When I came to Britain I found it really hard to find a job in design and advertising if you don't know English properly. 

Gdansk

I'd been unemployed for some time in Poland, but my last job at an advertising agency paid good money, around £400 a month. 

We moved to England to clear our debts.  Even the national minimum wage in England is good enough to pay rent and live without getting into debt. 

Many of our Polish friends came to work in Britain.  Those who stayed in Poland are now earning more, and unemployment is falling. 

With my pension scheme I think I'll stay here and retire.  I'm thinking about sending my son to university in Poland when he's older, because university is free in Poland and the quality of education is equal or better.

Joanna:

My plans are different from my husband's.  I'd like to go back to Poland but our son has just started his education, we have to wait until he's finished.  

It is great he can learn English, it's a good future for him.  I didn't know anything about schools, healthcare or the welfare system before I came. 

The Inland Revenue told us about benefits but because we're both working we don't get benefits.

Adam:

The cost of living is really high here.  We're renting a flat and its really expensive, but we can save some money. 

In Poland, cars, electronics and clothes cost the same as here and earnings are much lower.  We can't afford a mortgage here at the moment, we've got one in Poland, I think that's the only difference.

England is a land of opportunity.  If you work hard you can save money.  In Poland, if you work hard, you never the have the chance to save.

Joanna:

English people are very different to us.  English people like fun in the pubs, while we prefer going to each others' homes. 

My colleagues are very open people and I'm very grateful I've got them, but making friends is probably the most difficult part for us. 

Adam:

Sometimes people say "there are too many foreigners... but of course not you."  There have been some awkward moments where people ask me to repeat something which I'm sure I'm saying properly. 

In three years I've never noticed a problem.  It could be harder for foreigners in Poland to get this amount of kindness.

Joanna:

In my company, my managers say I'm bringing something new to them.  I teach them and they teach me, and its great.

Adam:

I'd recommend England to my friends.  There's very good money.  You've got to be prepared to work from the bottom up, if you adapt, you will succeed.

Joanna:

I'd recommend England to my Polish friends, and Poland to my English friends

More about Polish life in Essex

Anna Szwagiel is the Migrant Community Development Officer for Braintree council.  She explains how she helps eastern Europeans settle into their new country.

Former airman, Eugene Borysiua met his wife at a Polish camp in Braintree.  He later settled in Chelmsford, where he's now the chairman of the Polish Catholic Community.  This is his story.

Jadwiga Haughton has been running a Polish Saturday School in Southend for nearly a year.  She explains how it has allowed polish people to help themselves rather than rely on the local authorities.