Thinking about moving to the U.K. after college....?

Question

I'm about to graduate from college in the U.S., and I'm considering becoming a writer. As great as the U.S. is, I feel that a rounded life should consist of more than just the view from my country, as obviously the world is bigger than that. I want to move to the U.K., but I was wondering if it would be beneficial or very tough to make the move/transition, any adversity I might face culturally(being half-Irish, half-black), or difficulties getting a job or being successful over there...recommendations etc would all be helpful

Answer 1

im half too....i live in dis stupid city....london...i cant get a job because of my coulor.....i wish if i lived in america!!....stay dere brotha

Answer 2

Well first off, the UK is VERY multicultural - we have just about every nationality you can think of and more besides living here!



Being half Irish or half black won't be a problem at all. Contrary to what bad history may have gone between our two countries (at the hands of the Government, not the people), the ordinary British people do not 'dislike' the Irish in any way whatsoever, in fact we like them a lot! Irish people and Irish culture are generally very popular in the UK and being half Irish will be a good thing when it comes to fitting in and making friends. Most UK cities have large Irish communties as well. We also have a huge black and mixed race population in the UK! Racism/standing out MIGHT really only be a problem in very remote,closed, rural community areas like Mid-Wales or the Scottish Highlands and you'd be unlikely to move to those places anyway as they're rural with few jobs. In any town/city you'd just blend right in!



The only problem you might have would be with being American - you will get some hostility for that, particularly from the anti-war lobby who want to blame you for everything George Dubya Bush has ever done, but thankfully these people are not the majority.



Getting a job and being successful in the UK depend on what you want to do. Sadly we have a large glut of arts graduates (including me - History Graduate!) who can't get jobs in their specialised area. The tide is turning more in favour of science, medicine etc. There is also a lot of competition from the EU for jobs over here.



The UK is also a very expensive place to live at the moment. House prices are unaffordable even for young graduates and wages are not great.



You also won't find it easy to get a work permit because of the new points-based system which has really tightened up non-EU immigration (you have to be highly skilled to emigrate to the UK from anywhere outside the EU). You might actually find it easier to come here on a student visa, maybe studying for your postgrad at a UK university or something.



Good luck! Hope you do decide to come to the UK. It has its bad points but I for one wouldn't live anywhere else!

Answer 3

HI, I'm a black brit girl, born and raised, (currently studying law) and to be honest the above answers are not great! As a coloured/mixed race person I would not suggest going to a place like the scottish highlands, unless you want to get starred at. People in Britain who live in those sorts of places have a very low ethnic population and consequently, tend to stare. Not in an angry way or anything like that, but it can be a bit annoying when it happens all the time. My email address is [e-mail] and if you have any questions feel free 2 email me. I can tell you anything you want to know...



What kind of a writer 2 you want to be, (e.g. journalist etc?). I need 2 know to know about what tips 2 give. I would suggest making contacts/networking 2 improve your chances of success, but success will depend on a lot of thing e.g. the uni you went too...... There is just 2 much stuff for me 2 write now!:) If you email me any questions it will be able 2 answer them.



England's great! You should come:)

Alexweek: You are generalising. I know many different ethnics who don't have problems getting work. Are you telling the whole strory. E.g. what are your grades etc. I'm not saying you are stupid or anything, but you haven't really given the whole story apart from I'm mixed.......



Racism does exist, but if you work hard and know what is needed to network/meet people, england's not so bad.

Answer 4

I live in Britain and we are the multi cultural centre of just about everywhere so acceptance would be no problem and success whys is down to how good you really are but some things you see and hear in britain may influence your writing...although it depends on genre, if you want somwhere nice and peaceful and very tranquil id suggest somwhere like the lake district or the scottish highlands.

Answer 5

unless you have a LOT of money, it's going to be very tough for you. The economic perils will far outweigh any social ones (England especially, is bursting at the seams with biracial people). When I went there it was very expensive. Also, British people get preference for jobs. If I were you I would try to go there in some kind of established program of some sort. It will be very hard to "wing it" there.

Answer 6

Try Brazil or Argentina - they have expat communities and the cost of living is cheaper. Unless you are an EU citizen it will be hard to settle in Europe. EU nationals would be chosen over you for jobs etc....Immigration is very difficult these days.

Answer 7

No concern getting a pupil visa. you will ought to purchase the Immigration & Naturalization DVD on the thank you to do it. there's no link to place of work work or the right varieties anymore. the U. S. desires human beings to purchase the CD to be able to shrink our deficit!

Answer 8

I think it depends where you move to, there is still alot of racism going on and it would make it harder for you to be successful. Not many places accept multiculturialism.

Answer 9

Being half black, its pointless moving from the US to the UK. If you were white then it would be of benefit. Cuba, Mexico or Brazil may be better for you.

Answer 10

No worries, they'll love you there. Just be yourself.

Answer 11

your mad if you come over here its crap and so is the weather