I was born and raised in Poland, then spent a number of years working in Scandinavia. I arrived here after completing my PhD at Copenhagen Business School. Newcastle University offered me a post-doctoral position in the business school and I was very excited to work on Social Inclusion through the Digital Economy project. Ten years later I have taken on the role of Associate Professor at Northumbria University.
According to my foreign friends I look and speak like a Brit, while my British friends say I have Geordie vowels. My son was born in the North East and we call this place home now. Newcastle turned out to be a friendly place, although it took me a while to accept that a random shopkeeper calls me “pet”. However, one thing that shocked me (and still does!) was the scale of social deprivation and poverty. I believe that high standard free education from nursery to university would help to resolve this issue. After all I wouldn’t be where I am if not for all of the free education and opportunities I’ve received abroad. I wish British kids including my son would be offered the same chance.
Grey Street