Poles in the UK stick together

The most commonly stated reason for living among other Poles is the ablility to exchange information, for example about job offers, sales, cultural events. 24.4 percent respondents have indicated this as an argument for sticking close to people of their nationality.

The second most important reason is the access to Polish shops and businesses (17.3 percent). It may also be associated with savings. Polish immigrants sticking together do not need to learn English. This reason was indicated by 10.3 percent respondents. If they work, shop, and lead social lives among their countrymen, they do not learn the language and avoid associated costs. In addition, they reduce the cost of transport to work, because they live and work in the same area.

"The main reason for living among other Poles are savings: immigrants appreciate cost-free and fast access to important information and the ability to function in the Polish environment without having to learn English, which is a long and expensive process" - explained the Warsaw School of Economics spokesman Marcin Poznań in a press release sent to PAP.

In addition, respondents indicated the following reasons for living close to other Poles : 13 percent chose the answer: "I want to be close to family/friends", 14.9 percent:- "This way, I manifest my identity/nationality", 8.4 percent:- "hey will help when I\'m in need", 8.6 percent:- "I feel safer among my countrymen".

In a separate survey, respondents were asked about the main reasons for their chosen place of residence. Most (25.6 percent) wanted to live close to work. 20.8 percent wanted to have their residence close to family and friends. Low rent was an important reason for 18.1 percent. Also important were: good infrastructure (15.4 percent) and safe neighbourhood (13.2 percent).

"Cross-sectional analysis also shows that the lower the education and level of English competence of the immigrant, the more he appreciates the proximity of other Poles in the area. In contrast, immigrants with high education and good command of English no longer attach such importance to the proximity of other Poles and rent amount, the latter group appreciates more safe neighbourhoods and good infrastructure" - said the spokesman.

Dr. Michał Szwabe carried out surveys among the Polish immigrants in the UK for his doctoral dissertation. He collected about 650 surveys filled by passengers at airports waiting to departs to the UK, on board airplanes and buses to the UK. People of different financial situations were surveyed.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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