Pooja Kapoor, a 36 year-old Indian woman who was born in Delhi,

got married when she was 26. Currently, she lives with her husband

and her two children in Newcastle. She has been a student of the JET

charity for four years now.

 

Why did you move to the UK, in particular Newcastle?

I moved to Newcastle as my husband had to come here through his company on work

permit.

 

When you first arrived here, what was your impression about the city?

I instantly liked the city as soon as I landed from India, as I was born and brought

up in Delhi, which is always a bustling city.

 

How is England different from your homeland?

My initial time here in Newcastle was very lonely as I had small kids and no family

and friends, but slowly and gradually I adjusted. The long days in summers I enjoyed

and the short daylight made me nervous in the evenings. Life here was very slow

as compared to my life in Delhi.

 

What was the first challenge that you faced when you arrived the UK?

The first challenge was of course the accent for me.

 

How these differences influenced your life and your personality so far?

I used to be working in Delhi and here I was all alone at home, with my small kids and no job.

 

What was your first step to integrate into the host society?

My loneliness made me talk to other parents at school, as my elder was going to a school nearby. At first I found it really difficult to understand what people were saying as the accent was very different and I used to think "do I really know English or they are speaking some different language?". But slowly I started understanding much better and made more friends at school. Then I came to know about JET and I realised I can do a lot of things in spite of being here without family. The staff at JET are very supportive and I did quite a few courses from here, and they supported me with child care as well for my little one. I found I can still do a lot of things that can give me time for myself.

 

If they give you a choice to choose between India and the UK for living, what would be your answer?

I would like to stay here though I miss my family back in India.

 

What would be your first advice for those women who immigrated here?

I would advise every educated woman to step out of their houses and explore life, it does not end inside the house. There's a whole new world of things to do even if you have not worked in your life ever.