What's it Like to be an Asylum Seeker in the UK?

We spoke to Abdul (name changed) about what it’s like to be an asylum seeker newly arrived in the UK. He shared how Upbeat helped him to learn English and feel oriented in a strange new culture.

What was life like in your home country?

Life was terrible. When I was born, I was not accepted. It was very racist in my country, so I left in 2021.

I used to work as a painter-decorator, painting houses. I enjoyed my job.

How is your home country different to the UK?

Almost everything is different. When I lived there, I had a job. But here, everything is closed. All the time, closed. Asylum seekers don’t have ID, so there aren’t many things you can do. And it’s a very different culture here.

How did you feel when you first arrived in the UK?

When I first arrived, I couldn’t believe where I was. The first time I arrived, the Home Office sent me to Manchester. I saw all the buildings and thought, where am I?

I was in the hotel there one day, then the next, I was moved somewhere else. I didn’t know where I was; it was another city. Then, I arrived in Derby in 2022.

Can you remember the first time you came to Upbeat?

I had been in Derby for two months. I was trying to go to college, but there were no spaces. After a while, my friend told me about Upbeat.

The first time I went to Upbeat, it was very good. Maybe Upbeat seems like it is not important, but for me it’s something very important. Something different. It gave me somewhere to go every day. It’s good for food, clothes, and learning English. For people like me, it’s very important.

The first time I met Elliot (Upbeat English Tutor), I was shy and I didn’t speak any English!

But then, I didn’t stop. I came back again and again. I went to college, but I don’t want to spend my time there. Here is better because I can practise English and speak to English people, and practise conversation.

How did Upbeat help you?

The most important thing Upbeat helped me with was learning English. It is a skill that will be with me all my life.

I was shy, but now I am confident after learning English. The language is for everybody. When I learn English, I learn new things that I didn’t know in my language.

I have made many friends as well. I live in the hostel; when I am there, I am locked inside. But here (at Upbeat), you know you can speak! I like to speak to people.

What are your hopes for the future?

For someone like me, an asylum seeker in this country, you cannot do anything. To do anything, you need ID. I would like to have my ID so I can do something. Otherwise, it is terrible.

Thank you so much to Upbeat for helping me.

If you’d like to support the work of Upbeat so we can keep giving people like Abdul the opportunity to learn English and make friends during the darkest times in their lives, you can make a donation today at upbeatcommunities.org/donate. Thank you!