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Youth Voices
From a recent 2022 survey of black African secondary school students in the UK:
Student, UK
"I found it hard to make new friends at my new school at first due to the cultural difference, so it was hard for me to settle in."
Student, UK
"It has been hard adjusting to the life and culture here as it is a lot different to life back home."
Student, UK
“I got into a lot of arguments with people, because they didn’t know much about where I came from and said many nasty things to me.”
Student, UK
"I think having a mentor or someone in school to check up on me or other students to see how I was settling in would help a lot. My mentor could give me advice or just listen to my problems which would make me feel more comfortable."
Student, UK
"For the whole of year 7 I was scared to talk and integrate with my classmates because I felt different and was also noticeably looked and referred to as a foreigner which further made me feel like I didn’t belong."
Student, UK
“I feel like an outsider when I am out in public, feeling like people were staring at me in odd ways. Also feeling like people were judging me because of my accent and mannerism which I don’t experience in my
country.”
Student, UK
"Racism from
people in my school has been a challenge "
Student, UK
"At times people would say racial slurs to me, and I would get into fights because I was not used to it."
Student, UK
“People viewed me in stereotypical ways such as loud, aggressive, and even scary
Student, UK
"I found that it was difficult to adjust to the English culture and experienced subtle biases and general misunderstandings about the African culture."
Student, UK
"My main challenge was trying to fit into a new environment where there were not many people that looked like me."
Student, UK
“I have learnt to openly share and embrace my culture, without feeling embarrassed or feeling the need to always justify or explain myself.”
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