Polish - British --> multicultural

I’ve been trying to upload an interview with an American Melanie Tong that I and Astrid made. It took some time first to arrange a meeting with her, then to record the interview and edit the mp3 file, and finally to cut it in smaller chunks in order to make it work in the Internet. However, we haven’t had much success in uploading it so far and I honestly don’t know how it’ll going to end up. Anyway, I suddenly recalled that Melanie was talking about children in Austria sometimes staring at her because of her Asian = different appearance. Yes, it still happens although the country must have got used to Asian and African refugees that have been coming for some 30 years now (that’s my random estimate). Still, what I want to write about is an article on my fellow countrymen (I can’t help writing about Poalnd) being confused by multicultural Britain.
First of all, I have to explain that lots of Polish people moved to Great Britain or Ireland immediately after we joined the EU. That’s because they saw better work opportunities in those wealthier countries. It’s hard to give up-to-date figures on how many Poles are currently working in Great Britain, but according to a highly-respected Polish publication Polityka there were supposed to be already 1 million Poles in 2006 residing there. You can see how well represented we are (we let 1/38 of our population immigrate though ;).
But let’s get to the point. The problem is that my nation isn’t used to multiculturalism. In the best case you can come across some black students or Chinese cooks in the biggest cities like Warsaw. In fact there are, I believe, lots of Poles who haven’t seen a person with a different skin colour even once, since they spent their whole life in a small village in the north-east. That’s why I don’t blame them for experiencing a shock in multicultural Britain, but…
Polish children in British schools turn away from children of other races or workers-to-be apply already in Poland for jobs in areas where there are fewer black people. Some argue that this behaviour isn’t a matter of racism, but intolerance towards the new. Others claim that it’s a matter of time when they’ll get accustomed to new conditions. Knowing my nation I’m pretty confident that they can get on with everybody after some time (you wouldn’t find more flexible characters than ours ;).
Yet, what I personally find the most disappointing is the attitude of children. I assume that they usually don’t pay attention to race and if they do, their parents are responsible for it. The most relevant thing to do would be therefore to change adults’ philosophy of life. The article mentions that some religious societies pass this task to priests who are supposed to prepare future expats to behave properly in new surroundings (religion has a decisive influence on a big part of the society).
Leaving the problem on one side I consider immigration in this context a terrific opportunity to develop your character and become more flexible and tolerant toward other cultures and lifestyles. That’s why I hope that this “Britain experience” will have a positive impact on tolerance in my homeland when the people that are currently staying in England will come back one day and teach others the lessons they learned themselves.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2057571,00.html

An apple, hot cocoa and Beirut - my idea of a pleasant evening

It's definitely going to be a small essay on music and how it influenced my life. Participating in today's bliki-class I came to the conclusion that we write far too little about music that accompanies us in our lives. And I bet you all let inspire yourselves by sounds now and then...

When I was at high school, music used to be the most important part of my life, my escape from reality. Listening to my favourite bands on the way to school, at school, on my way back home and in the evenings was a strong habit. The best part was imagining how the artists would perform live. It was obvious you wouldn't be able to fly to Berlin during the week to watch Björk on scene, but the sheer vision was satisfying enough. Anyway, I unfortunately grew up, left my parents' protective wings, which didn't allow me earlier to follow my romantic music fantasies (summer festivals and gypsy travels through Europe), and started to live my own life. That suddenly meant that I became responsible for my actions and could even go to Vienna on foot to a concert if I wanted. As a matter of fact, I did make use of this unlimited freedom, in acceptable limits of course;) That's when I went to Radiohead concert in Dublin, one of my biggest and most painful disappointments. Having made a kind of spiritual mentors of those five Oxford guys I suffered severely from their far too forced and alienated performance in overcrowded Marley Park. Being almost trampled on and squashed by the violent crowd (don't mess up with the enthusiastic Irish!) I couldn't enjoy "the most anticipated event in my life". It maybe wasn’t a bad concert after all, but the venue just wasn’t suitable. Anyway, that's when music suddenly started loosing its place in my everyday life. Studying, working part-time, pursuing my hobbies and devoting enough time to my boyfriend and best friends was pretty time consuming and didn't leave much space for me to take my time and seriously deal with music. I reduced myself to sporadic concerts of bands who somebody somewhere recommended and started listening to the radio passively like a good night story.

Yet, an awakening came one day unexpectedly. That's what I originally wanted to write about, namely a band called Beirut. Just imagine a typical "alternative star life story": a high school dropout going to Europe, doing crummy jobs, but letting himself be inspired by exotic (meaning European) art (in this case music). That's exactly what Zac Condon from New Mexico did. This resulted in an outstanding creation of Balkan-like, played with over ten different instruments, music. These sounds are something refreshing, something completely untypical for the American new wave. It's like watching Kosturica's films and anticipating surprising turning points, with one small difference - the soothing voice of the vocalist in the background. The funniest detail of this whole music project is that Z. Condon apparently recorded almost the whole album in his... bedroom. Not a bad outcome for such modest conditions.

So here I am experiencing music again at its full extent, biting into a delicious apple, drinking my good night cocoa and melting listening to gypsy music made in America. If you like experimenting, I definitely recommend Beirut. One more suggestion or even a request – write something about music…

"Still separate after all these years" - the race matter in American schools

I've just read an interesting article on racial segregation in contemporary Americal schools. You can find it here: http://economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9079930 . And below I wrote a summary.

1954 the Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. Board of Education case segregation in American public schools unlawful. However, although years have passed since the practice of racial segregation was outlawed, black and white children still learn in different worlds.

The authorities have been trying to keep the racially integrated school district system ever since Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, considering it a part of the affirmative action. In fact, black students have to make up a certain percentage of the student mix in every school. Nevertheless, some white parents complain about this quota system and accuse school boards of unfair treatment towards their children. Depriving white children of school places for the sake of the racial mix is their major reproach. One question arises: is it sensible to fight for this racially integrated school system even if this means sacrificing the quality of education? We slowly get to the core of the matter…

The main problem dividing blacks and whites is their income and their home. The former tend to earn less and live in city centres. By contrast, the latter can afford to move into suburbs and send their children to suburban private schools the poor blacks have no access to. This is how racial segregation is being fuelled nowadays – by financial means. By quitting the public school system affluent families contribute to the decline of inner-city schools attended mainly by poor non-whites.

School boards are drawing a conclusion from the simple connection between low income (which in most cases concerns the blacks) and students’ poor performance at school. That’s why they want to concentrate on this issue and take measures against it. For instance, instead of mixing them by race, the Wake County school district in North Carolina began to integrate students from different economic backgrounds. It offers free or price-reduced lunches for the struggling students. Besides, it’s been trying to put more of them in one school so that they don’t feel alienated. The results of this policy are striking: well-off white families are enrolling their children in those public schools. The integrated school models are working well.

Although the main educational goal in contemporary America is to support slow learners from low-income families, the politicians ignore this unpopular issue. Instead, they are trying to win support of the middle class. This is the class with more influence and financial means after all and that’s what it is all about in politics. In the end the poor are neglected as always and the gap between the blacks and whites is growing.

Russian Blog

My favourite American expat in Russia (actually the only interesting one the blog of whom I tracked down) tends to write a lot about current affairs:Putin expressing his indignation over American plans of missile defences in Poland and Czech Republic, Putin threatening NATO to suspend Russia’s compliance with a treaty on conventional arms in Europe, the government brutally putting down the opposition march in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. And finally the Russian-Estonian dispute over a monument to Red Army soldiers. An American somehow doesn't fit in this almost authocratic country. That’s why I utterly admire Aaron Hale-Dorrell who works in Russia as an English teacher.Let's face it - comparing Russia and the USA is like drawing an analogy between night and day. I honestly don’t see much these countries have in common. The former haunted by the past burden of communism and the latter boasting about its ideas of democracy, freedom and equality. Funnily enough, a coincidence made me study both Russian and English;)

How good are we really?

http://www.economist.com/index.html

“The Economist” is definitely a newspaper you should have a look at. Don’t feel discourage by the world “economist”- the articles are not all about banks, mergers, stock markets, etc. I came across this title reading an article in “Uni Kleine Zietung” about bilingualism of many international students and their good chances on the international job markets. Unfortunately I couldn’t read the whole version in the Internet, because you have to subscribe to gain access to older articles, but it doesn’t apply for the more recent ones. Anyway, below you can find a kind of summary of what I read in “Kleine Zeitung” and my reflections upon it.

It’s becoming more and more common nowadays that university graduates from non-English speaking countries have a perfect command of this language in addition to their impeccable qualifications. This fact makes them become strong competitors for the best jobs against native English speakers. What the others don’t have is knowledge of a foreign language. A survey made last year by the European Commission that just 30% of Britons can converse in a language other than their own which is rather a meagre score. Non-natives are in contrast often competent bilinguals, people with open minds who are used to travelling abroad and facing challenges.

However, English in the language of science. You read and write in English if you want to be acknowledged by the international scene. In this context English speaking scientists have nothing to fear, but what about managers, doctors, architects, etc.?

This topic made me consider my own future job perspectives. Is two (let’s say three in my case) foreign languages enough for us, translators, to get a decent job? Honestly, I don’t believe that each of us will work in their profession. To my mind only the best ones or the ones with the most luck will become “real” translators. The others will have to settle for some more “universal” jobs they’ll have to combine more skills in. That’s why I’m already uneasy about what will happen after graduation. Maybe it’ll be sensible to study something else in addition? As an example I’d like to tell you a story of my cousin who had not so long ago a job interview at one of the most reputable banks in Poland. She, a law graduate with a good command of both English and German and four (or five – I can’t exactly remember) years of work experience, was told that I’d desirable I she could speak Russian as well. After I got to know it I just thought to myself: are you kidding? When are you supposed to manage it all? After all she didn’t get this job…

Fascinated by a peg; dreaming of a perfect day

This is the last night before our progress test. I know I should be studying for tomorrow, but a strong need to write suddenly totally overwhelmed me. Reading Pam Mandel’s blog I came across a collocation I’ve really taken to, namely “a square peg (in a round hole)”. According to Longman Dictionary the above describes “someone who is in a job or situation that is not suitable for them”. I can’t exactly explain my liking for a square peg. On the one hand I just often feel like one and on the other hand it sounds so bizarre to my Polish ears that I just have to memorize it. Do you know in what other meanings the word “peg” can be used

Clothes peg (UK)

Tent pegTuning pegCoat peg (UK)

Bettina, you really deserve the highest score for your idea with adding pictures to words. It definitely helps.

I was just wondering when I’ll have my perfect day. Honestly, I came to the conclusion I don’t need much to be happy apart from a little time to enjoy my simple activities. This is how such a day would look like…

I’d get up at 7.30 a.m. since I’m an early bird and don’t like missing much of the day. Then I’d fetch my daily newspaper, preferably Der Standard, go to the kitchen and make some fresh coffee. Taking my time I’d prepare a simple cheese sandwich and settle myself in the armchair. Then I’d skip through the news of the day and slowly eat my breakfast knowing that I still have enough time to be at the university on time. Having dressed and packed my bag I’d take my bike and head for the university with no rush. After a very involving and easily understandable lecture on the wealth of nations I’d go to the library and study for an hour or two. Next, I’d take a stroll to the cafeteria and have lunch with my best friend. Once again I’d take my time and simply devote myself to enjoying the food, preferably noodles. Still having some time in my hands I’d call in on my friend for a celebration of the dessert I got at the cafeteria. Having exchanged the most important news with her I’d go to the next lecture or, let it be, even two lectures. Afterwards I’d persuade my boyfriend to play a round of Frisbee with me in the park. At 6.00 p.m. I’d go to work, stay there for four hours, confront friendly customers and get generous tips. At the end of the day I’d go back to my claustrophobic flat and study a little bit for the next day. Then I’d take a shower, go to bed and fall asleep accompanied by heavenly sounds of Portishead.

Is it a lot I want? Just a little time, please…

How to Be an Illegal Alien

An illigal immigrant Mimi describes in an article under http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0513,york,62456,2.html how to settle in New York within two weeks. In six easy steps she gives some useful advice what to do step by step:

• Seek your opportunity to get into the USA, either by boat or with American invitation with a tourist visa or even over the fence ;)
• Once you’re in the country try to get married. This entitles you to a green card and after three years to permanent residency.
• Find a job.
• If you don’t have a Social Security number and have to live off your tips, claim someone else’s identity – let it be your friend who will cash your paycheck and give the money back to you or a deceased U.S. citizen's identity your overtake the Social Security number from. Besides, there are workplaces where you can get cash in hand at a bit lower rate.
• If you don’t know the language, look for employment at your fellow countryman’s.
• Don’t leave the USA since with some luck you might be granted legal resident status.

Furthermore Mimi argues that the illegal immigrants don’t have a harmful impact on the U.S. economy: “We're just here to live our lives the best we can”. In fact they are the ones who toil for minimum wage to be allowed to stay in the country.

Mimi claims that altogether everyone is illegal in New York. The most important point she makes is that New York City was from the beginning of its history made up of immigrants and in this way illegal aliens are more natural and legitimate residents of the Big Apple that any other residents.

It becomes clear to us that there are certain methods for those who are determined enough. The point is that immigrants are not the baddies - they just want to live decent lives which is impossible in their home countries. And to achieve it they really have hard time in the beginning. Anyway, they don't came to us to abuse our social system, etc., but to look for better opportunities.