KAUNAS WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION CENTRE Lithuanian Immigrants in the EU Countries 2013

COMMON GROUND Grundtvig Partnership project 2013

Our purposes To organize the project learning group in KWEIC; To create the questionnaire; To explore the situations by conducting interviews; To learn, harmonize and overcome cultural differences – in language, literature, art, culture, social background

Answered the questionnaire Age: 21 – 42; 15 persons. Countries of emigration: UK; Germany; France, Norway, USA

Questions part A General information about participant Age: Gender: Education / speciality: Marital status: How much time are you living in emigration? Your current status (you have the right to live and work) Your current occupation (working, unemployed, student...)?

Questions part B First problems and their solutions What was the first problem you have faced in the new country? Who helped to solve it? Please enumerate 3 cultural, political or social phenomena which were difficult to accept or even understand? Please enumerate 3 things which are the most attractive, charming or what new you have discovered in this place? Who has helped you the most to integrate into the local community (organizations, neighbours, relatives...)?

Questions part C Reasons of emigration Reasons of emigration? How can you briefly describe your life in the new country? What do you miss the most? How could you briefly describe your life now (in emigration)? What are the advantages of living in a new place, comparing with your homeland?

Questions part D Work / education / speciality Do you have the opportunity to find and work a job which is connected to your profession? Did you have to change your speciality (to gain a new one)? Please enumerate 5 difficulties which you face when trying to find a job (lack of information, job interview, CV writing, lack of knowledge of the Lithuanian language...)? Do you have the opportunity to learn or study? If no, why? Do you have the possibility to realize yourself? What are opportunities and difficulties?

Questions part E Family Have you come with your family? If the answer to the previous questions is yes, please provide 4 biggest challenges which you face as a family? Who could help for your family the most?

Questions part F Cultural / social What is the most common reaction of local residents when they understand that you are an immigrant? What are the features of local people which you like the most? ( Do you plan to return to your homeland? Please enumerate 5 things which you know about history, culture or customs of this country? Are you interested in the public life of this country ? Are the local residents interested in your own country (customs, culture, traditions...)? How do you try to provide information about your native country? What would you like to wish for all local residents and immigrants?

Lithuanians emigrate into the

Immigrants are coming to Lithuania from: Russia; Belorussia, Ukraine; Latvia; Poland, Romania, USA

Lithuanians emigrate because Need for job Low wages High prices for the heating Curiosity Higher culture Marriage Family reunion

What does it mean to be a successful immigrant? Rūta Meilutytė Swimer Winer of the golden medal Lives in England 16 years old

What does it mean to be a successful immigrant? Andrius Pojavis Singer Represented Lithuania in Eurovisia 2013 Lives in Italy

LITHUANIAN EMIGRANTS ARE SUCCESFUL! because: -have jobs; -pay taxes; -children go to the school; -learn languages; -- integrate culturally

What kind of problems did you face in the new country? How to find the job How to find an apartment for rent How to get National Insurance Card (NIC) Language problem How to change profession, retrain, find needed courses How to find the school and nanny for children Leisure activities (clubs, trips, cultural and community events)

What kind of problems did you meet to find a good job? The lack of language skills and difficulty to understand different accents (in UK) The lack of information about the labour market The lack of qualification and experience Personal problems (lack of confidence) Status of emigrant (the priority for the citizens) Sometimes you need to convince the employer that not all Lithuanians are criminals Road rules for drivers (in UK)

What was the most difficult to adapt in private, cultural, social environment? Pure knowledge of language makes difficulties establishing relationships and solving other important issues Differences in domestic life (traffic on the other side, two cranes) Multiculturalism (many immigrants – lots of races, nationalities, religions) Lower level of health service

Who helped to solve the problems? Family members By oneself Other immigrants The working place or educational institution Friends New acquaintances

What are the advantages of living in a new place, as compared with the homeland? Higher salary A social security Higher quality of life Government’s respect for the individual A better chance to know the world and other cultures More opportunities for education, vocational training, re-training Tolerance of people Calm pace of life Excellent transport infrastructure Nature Leisure activities Community activities A higher level of culture

What are Lithuanian immigrants missing? Loved ones Friends and leisure time together Communication in the mother tongue Living environment and school Native landscape Culture (events in their native language) Lithuanian food Fresh air

What are the characteristics of the local people you like the best? open, helpful, do not interfere with another person's life, polite, direct, simple, positive, have a healthy sense of humour, fun, good-natured

Are the local residents interested in your country (customs, culture and traditions...)? Yes, they are. Interested but so far you are personally interesting to them…

What would you wish for other immigrants? Do not have pre-disposition and fear. Remember that everything is in your hands. Work, learn foreign languages. Be patient, have faith in yourself and stay confident. Search and find your way of life.

Conclusions Lithuanians are still strangers in the new homelands; Living in other EU countries, they are happy about: 1. A better chance to know the world and other cultures (people, cultures, religions, historical and geographical monuments, etc.); 2. More opportunities for education, vocational training, re- training (higher and a lot of free courses); 3. Tolerance of people; 4. Government’s respect for the individual; 5. A higher level of culture 6. A higher level of life quality.

Thank you for your attention!