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Where is ‘home for you’? Tell us a bit about what makes it home!
Having moved between different countries for most of my life, I have always struggled to call a single place "home". To me, home is where my family and friends are, where my most beautiful memories were made and where I feel like I belong. Currently, the UK is where I consider "home" to be for me. Not only is it the place I have lived in for the longest, but it is also where my family is, where I got to meet my closest friends and make the best memories.
What does being an ‘EU/European citizen’ mean to you?
Being an EU citizen to me is a privilege. Even though I was born before my home country became an EU member state, I have spent most of my young adult life as an EU citizen. This has given me countless opportunities which I would not otherwise have. Most notably, gave me the chance to be able to afford to study in another EU country (at the time) - the UK. I proceeded to focus my higher education on EU politics and policy which has now also become a key aspect of my professional career.
What do you do for a living?
I recently completed my master's in Migration and am currently interning as a Policy Analyst in EU affairs.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak a total of 4 languages (though if we are being honest I only speak 2 of those properly) and am currently learning a 5th. I speak Bulgarian and English fluently, I have good working knowledge of German and Greek and am currently learning French (or at least trying to).
How long have you been a YEN volunteer for?
I have been a volunteer with the YEN since October 2020.
Rate the chocolate bars from 1-5 (1 best 5 worst) Mars Bars, Twix, Bounty, Galaxy, KitKat
From best to worst - (Snickers!), Bounty, Twix, KitKat, Galaxy, Mars Bars
What do you do in the Young Europeans Network?
I have been involved in numerous projects with the YEN but most notably I helped with the management of the Instagram account for a few months. I have also been involved in the Citizenship campaign as well as the EU Students campaign.
If you could ask the Home Office to change 3 things about UK immigration policy, what would these be?
1. Their asylum policy - this would especially refer to their new immigration plan. I think it is currently very hostile towards asylum seekers, even those who are minors. 2. Extend the EU Settlement Scheme deadline or abolish the deadline as a whole. There are so many EU citizens who will not get the chance to live and work in the UK. I have personally benefited so much from living, studying and working here and it would be a shame for others to miss similar opportunities - equally, for the UK to miss out on everything EU citizens can contribute to. 3. Listen to what citizens, civil society organisations and migrants are asking for.
What can politicians in the UK do to increase the representation and participation of young people in decision-making?
I would say that listening to young people and their opinions and ensuring that young people feel represented is what is lacking in my opinion. Whether that is through focus groups, surveys or through other fora. When it comes to increasing representation of young people in local and national politics, I would say that politicians need to make sure that they appeal to their young consitutents and the younger electorate. If young people identify more with current policies of the government or at least current societal issues, they are more likely to be more active in politics and get involved.
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