Cathelen from Costa Rica, works in the Charity Sector

At this point in my life I feel at home here in London and also feel very comfortable, I feel that I belong here. 

Fernando from Paraguay, works in the Banking Sector

Being in the UK and away from my country – Paraguay - has made me feel more identified with Latin America. Between countries we share the same religion, almost the same political and social issues, customs and language; the closeness we feel towards the land and nature, the way we make art and the way we live. One of the positive aspects I have experienced in Britain is that its people are very interested in learning about other cultures.

Sabrina from Ecuador, Primary School Student

I feel good in this country because I have friends at school and most importantly because I have my parents by my side.

Alejandro from Mexico, works in the IT and Marketing Sector

I feel at home in England. Here, I have my family, my wife. It's 10 years now since I arrived and I would say that London is a city that has accepted me very well.

Alejandra from Honduras, works in the Banking Sector

I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to live in a very different country from mine in which there are many new things to learn, to do and to know. At the same time, this makes me appreciate what I left behind in Honduras and which I cannot find in the UK. Ideally I would like to enjoy the best of both countries in one place.

Alicia from Brazil, works in the Creative Sector

London is a particularly cosmopolitan place; it’s a capital of the world where you find people of many different nationalities and that’s incredible! This is one of the main differences I perceived when I arrived from Brazil. London has offered me the opportunity to meet people from places I would have never imagined.

I feel very comfortable in the UK, particularly in Manchester, which is the city where I live. I love it! It really doesn’t look like my hometown - Santiago, Dominican Republic - but as a big city it makes you feel that there is life and there are things to do, which is all one needs however life is not as hectic as it is in capitals like London, not so expensive and crowded either. Everything is close in Manchester and I like that a lot.

Pau from Uruguay, works in the Voluntary Sector

To be Latin American is to have a very open attitude, to be spontaneous. We share a continental history. In my country – Uruguay – we have things in common with Argentina or Mexico, it is a republican conception and then that gives us some historical perspective. Also speaking the same language, to be creative and be persistent.

Carmen from Nicaragua, works in the Charity and Fair Trade Sector

To be Latin American for me means to face the future. To continue building the unity that characterises us. I identify myself as a Latina mainly through the desire to continue dancing, to continue singing and to continue maintaining the struggle whether in the UK or in our home countries. This way, we try to make ourselves visible as latin Americans. We continue striving, we move forward...

Nestor from Peru, works in the Services Sector


I came to England in search of a job as the economy in Spain, where I used to live is currently in a very bad shape. Having said that, the language barrier is the main obstacle that stops me from moving forward. However, I strive to improve every day.


Ingrid from Belize, College Student

Juana from Chile, Artist and Spanish and Art Teacher

At that time there were political problems in Chile and many were persecuted by such events, due to that we had to leave the country. When I arrived in England I felt so bad in the sense that I could not speak the language. I had to learn it and start a new career in order to survive in this culture but now I feel that the UK is like my home because I have lived here for many years and have adapted to this society.

Livan from Cuba, Primary School Teacher and Dance Instructor


Life over here is very fast whilst in Cuba it is much slower, much calmer and relaxed.
 People here seem to live tight lifestyles, they look stressed about making money, work; it’s like survival. Well, there are many more differences…



Gabriela from Venezuela, Student, works in the Voluntary Sector

I think that the big difference between being an immigrant or not, is based on the perception of where ones place is. As an immigrant one becomes more fluid with the idea. Home becomes more of a feeling rather than a place itself.

Amy from Puerto Rico, Actress and Receptionist

I feel happy in this country because after three years I can say that I finally feel at home thanks to the support I have received from the Latin American community. I also feel good because I am more in connection with my roots and that makes me very happy.    

Nelly from Colombia, Community Radio Presenter

I've encountered many differences mainly in my everyday life. In my area for instance I sometimes feel as if I was the only inhabitant in this planet because it’s not as it is back home where one can observe joy, the uproar of street vendors, the greeting of neighbours, the ladies talking to each other while they sweep the street. 

Tommy from Bolivia, works in the Services Sector

I am always going to be Latino, I am Bolivian by heart but I feel at home in the UK. If I were not at ease here I would have migrated to another country by now. My heart remains Latino - as a Bolivian - and I will always try to maintain the customs and traditions that my parents gave me and pass them on to other people who are not Latin American or to my children when I have them.

Anilena from Panama, PhD Student

At first I was completely mismatched. It's been four years since I arrived and I've made friends, I have started to understand the culture, to eat what the British eat, to listen to the music they like and every day I feel part of this society a little more however, I still feel as an immigrant and I keep experiencing situations that make me feel unwelcome sometimes but I always try to see the positive side of being here and learning from these experiences.

Chayo from El Salvador, Primary School Student

I love pupusas, beans and eggs. I like eating this; it is really traditional in El Salvador. Here – in the UK – traditional food is fish and chips, steak and kidney pie or burgers. I like steak and kidney pie but I love roast dinners too.

There is so much more culture in El Salvador because they carry on traditions a bit more over there than they do here. They are not really writers or singers but when they do sing it gives a bit more of a message. Most people that sing in the UK, sing love songs, there they sing about civil war and messages and most of them are quite political. 

Lucia from Guatemala, Documentary Film- maker

For me, to be Latin American is to be a part of a group that has certain similarities in terms of identity. Depending on whether Latin Americans come from countries close to mine, we share things such as the type of food we eat and the way we speak, these aspects make me feel I belong to a group that shares certain characteristics.