I call this place my home now. Home away from home.

It was a cold and wet day in 2019 when I first set foot in UK. I was 13 and very homesick coming from a very closed knit community in Portugal. Would I like it? Would I be able to settle? Would I ever make friends? My little mind had so many questions and fears.

I’m not afraid to admit that it was a huge cultural shock, language barriers and the weather didn’t help either. But I was made clear by family why this move was necessary. Slough offers great educational and work opportunities.

It didn’t take long for me to see the magic. Everyone around me took me in and helped me settle down quickly. School provided help with language, social and extracurricular skills. Diverse communities in our neighbourhood embraced us as their own. I started to thrive and shine. I’ve now made friends and I’m at college studying IT and doing work placement.

Slough made me feel at home and at peace. In Slough I have found myself and it’s charmed me with its resilience, acceptance, tolerance and baffled me with its uncompromising kindness. I’m no longer that afraid 13 year old. Slough has taught me that, “even if the road ahead is rough, you make your own path and it will lead to success”. I call this place my home now. Home away from home.