In the latest of our Northern Roots series, where we speak to people originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere – or vice versa – our interviewee is Kerrie Milford in Poland.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you leave Northern Ireland, and where did you go? What do you do now?

I left Belfast in 2014 due to experiencing the kind of claustrophobia that I think everyone from Northern Ireland can identify with at some point. I had been interested in teaching English as a foreign language so this seemed to offer an appropriate opportunity to move a bit further afield and shake off the cobwebs, so to speak.

The Polish community in Northern Ireland was becoming more integrated and visible and the post-communist experience piqued my interest so I started looking for jobs in Poland. The first one I was offered was in a school in the small city of Kwidzyn, northern Poland. Bags were quickly packed with not much idea what to expect but thankfully, it all worked out so well that I’m still here four years later!

Poland is a beautiful country with countless things to explore- Gdansk is a relatively undiscovered touristic gem- if you get the chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

 

2. What do you think when you see the Northern Ireland of today, in the news and on social media?

Having been met with blank stares, even in England, when I’ve said that I’m from Belfast, it made me laugh here that replies are often along the lines of, ‘Oh, my husband works in Cullybackey’ or  ‘We have friends living in Randalstown’. I can’t say that currently Northern Ireland gets much of a mention in Polish media, apart from football or instances of racist attacks on Polish residents there, unfortunately.

Especially because I live in a small city, people here are often shocked that I’ve stayed for an extended period of time, coming from the ‘west’, the land of high wages, feminism and multiculturalism- the last two either being aspirations or sources of derision, depending on their political persuasion.

Of course, I have to explain to them that Northern Ireland doesn’t quite fit that mould, it’s got more in common with Poland than people realise- religious involvement in politics, high degree of homophobia and a long way to go on women’s rights.

Of course, when I read the national news from mainstream sources, the political wrangling seems interminable and casts us in a bad light. We have been so restrained as so many important issues such as mental health, get pushed aside to focus on petty quarrels. That’s why alternative outlets like Northern Slant and the visibility of grassroots movements on social media are so reassuring.

Even though it reinforces how many Northern Irish politicians are out of step with the electorate, it shows that we actually are rational and empathetic people, acknowledging the past while building a future, despite what is happening in Stormont.

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Will Brexit make a difference?

Before Brexit and the collapse of the Assembly, I was extremely hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future- heartened by the work being done by smaller parties like the Greens, Alliance and People Before Profit. Now it’s like progress has been postponed for another generation.

I fear Brexit will make an already somewhat insular country even more cut-off, for me that European identity was vital in helping to foster some sense that the world is bigger than our bickering. It’s so frustratingly understandable why Northern Ireland suffers from a brain-drain and unfortunately, I think Brexit will exacerbate this.

It is a great relief that the EU has committed to continued funds for peace projects in the region but the agriculture industry is so dependent on subsidies which I don’t believe can be matched. The customs negotiations have of course revealed how clueless British MPs can be about Northern Irish politics and I’m sorry but I just don’t trust the DUP to fight for the good of everyone in our country.

The huge rush for Irish passport applications recently, from people of all backgrounds, shows how much we value that European link and I think it could translate into more support for a united Ireland further down the line, from a pragmatic rather than ideological standpoint.

 

4. Do you think you will return to Northern Ireland? What could convince you to come back?

I actually am returning this summer, refreshed, to study. The current Polish government are very socially regressive and seem bent on dragging the country backwards in some regards- nowhere is safe!

It was always my intention to return though, after a break. I sometimes feel slightly guilty pontificating about the state of Northern Irish affairs from afar when I could be there, working even on the tiniest level to change things. I’ve noticed a lot of friends and acquaintances, who had been living all over the world, move back recently as Belfast has modernised and of course, for The Craic, it goes without saying.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from the place you live now?

The Polish appreciation and nature of family relationships is very heart-warming. They also tend to be great lovers of nature and the outdoors. From a young age, Polish children are taught all about different species of plants and animals and receive a far better education about the natural world than I ever remember from school. The foreign language education here is also great, I’ve been really impressed at the level teenagers reach in high school.

 

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

Flip, where do I start? Legalise gay marriage, abortion and cannabis, lower the voting age, invest way more in the green sector and for god’s sake, get integrated education properly up and running. It’s really shocking how much it been neglected.

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

Hmmm, maybe more fictional works- short stories, poems etc. inspired by Northern Ireland and more interviews with artists of all kinds. We have a fantastic arts community severely hampered by cuts, support our local talent!

 

8. If you could ask three Northern Ireland politicians (past or present) to dinner, who would they be? And why?

Steven Agnew and Clare Bailey of the Green Party because I think they are true progressives and  Mo Mowlam- her contribution to the peace process was shockingly overlooked and I loved her humorous, no-nonsense attitude. We defnitely need a lot more unconventionality in politics.

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote, or mantra?

‘And though she be but little, she is fierce,’ from Shakespeare.

Coming from a family of five vertically-challenged but very strong-willed sisters, I think this quote can equally be applied to Northern Ireland, we definitely punch above our weight in a lot of areas like sport and engineering innovation.

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

Don’t let it grind you down… our political standoff does not reflect the amazing people at home.

Also published on Medium.