Bridging the Generations

The latest most interesting experience was participating in the Bridging the Generations event at the Czech Embassy in London. This event was organised by the British Czech and Slovak Association and provided a unique opportunity to meet the older generations living in the UK. The purpose was to unite the younger generations with those who came to the UK between 1950-1980. The older generations shared their very impressive stories, which were later discussed, and the evening proved to be an unforgettable experience.

Despite the UK being considered a melting pot of many cultures, the emigrants experienced numerous challenges and felt detached from their original cultures. At first, I expected their stories would not relate to my generation, but I soon I realized I was wrong.

The stories had several patterns and topics in common and therefore I can summarize them into 3 main observations:
1. By emigrating or moving to a different country, one realizes what he/she really likes about their own country and what he/she misses the most.
2. There is not an ideal place to live and every advantage is compensated by a disadvantage. The reality is always different from the expectation.
3. Detachment from one’s own culture while not yet being integrated in to the new culture. 

The 3rd point is especially interesting and the most significant to me. Without a doubt, every generation, including mine, experiences that.

A lot has changed since the revolution in 1989 and EU membership. EU citizens have no barriers to travel or to moving to a different EU county. This however doesn’t change the processes that emigrants experience. This is likely due to the cultural aspects that were not affected by their free movement. Their circumstances are different, but the nature of these processes is the same. I have experienced this myself, and my generation faces similar challenges as the previous generations experienced.

I am convinced that my generation, and at least the one following, is going to experience the same difficulties and similar challenges to those I heard about at the meeting, despite the openness of the modern world.

This unique meeting fuelled me with new ideas and also helped me to understand what the older generations were experiencing and what I might likely experience as well to some extent. I met one of the most inspiring Czechoslovak emigrants who had emigrated not only for political reasons. Listening to these compelling stories helped me to reflect on my own experience and gain a unique perspective on living abroad.