‘I moved to the UK – one short chat with a bus driver made me feel at home’

Two years have elapsed since my move to , and the memory of my arrival is as vivid as ever.

It marked my first venture into uncharted territory, quite literally starting anew in a unlike any I had known.

Consumed by a deep anxiety, the contrast between the surrounding love I’d left just over 20 hours earlier and the stark solitude that greeted me upon landing at London was palpable.

Lost in the terminal, my quest to reach Cardiff led me to seek guidance from passers-by, a daunting challenge in the thick of the London hustle.

A few misdirections later, a helpful employee pointed me towards the bus station, where I managed to secure a bus to Cardiff – though not without encountering one last obstacle. As I attempted to board the coach, the driver informed me of needing a proper ticket for my luggage.

“I’m so sorry about that – I didn’t know. Let me pay for it now,” I offered apologetically. His response caught me off-guard; with a disapproving look, he dismissed my concern: “Just get in – don’t worry mate. Take care next time.”

This seemingly minor act of kindness signified so much more to me, a solitary newcomer to an alien land, as it beautifully encapsulated my first experience of Welsh generosity and the country’s enchanting allure, reports .

In the two years I’ve resided here, I’ve gradually fallen in love with the nation and its people. Now, I want to share my reasons why. This doesn’t mean I’m blind to its shortcomings – Wales has numerous challenges to overcome, which I will address – but let’s begin with what I adore. The natural beauty of Wales is something I was never much of an outdoors enthusiast.

Prior to moving to Wales, I had never woken up on a Sunday morning with the urge to take out my bike. However, after two years in Wales, I can’t imagine life without its lush greenery and stunning landscapes. I have spent the last two years immersing myself in this beauty, walking, hiking, and cycling to explore it. The views from Pen y Fan, the charm of the salmon leaps, and the varying vistas along the Taff Trail are unforgettable.

From Cardiff’s beautiful riverside trails to the adventurous greens of Eryri and Brecon Beacon national parks and Tenby’s world-renowned beaches – Wales has it all. As for multiculturalism in Wales, when I first arrived in the UK, I wasn’t overly concerned about finding my place as an immigrant, but I soon began to miss home.

So, I started searching for familiar cultural spots. What I discovered exceeded my expectations. I was utterly astounded by the sheer diversity of individuals I encountered during my walks on the streets of Wales. However, for me, diversity is meaningless without genuine recognition and acceptance of people from different backgrounds, which I have observed in Wales.

Simply featuring diverse faces in a brochure doesn’t equate to diversity – true acceptance does. Recently, Wales elected its first ethnic minority MP, had its first Black First Minister, albeit briefly, and now has its first female First Minister.

But it’s not just in politics where you see Wales’ multiculturalism – it’s also evident in how I’ve been able to celebrate various global cultures with the same enthusiasm as Christmas, Guy Fawkes Day, or St David’s Day. This, to me, is what a truly multicultural society looks like, and Wales embodies this.

As a young child studying English Literature in India, I found immense joy in reading Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl. Wordsworth’s descriptions of Wales in ‘Daffodils’ and ‘Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey’ captivated me.

So, when I realised I would be living in Wales, I was overjoyed. However, I soon discovered that Welsh art and music offered so much more. In a land renowned for its poets, authors, and artists, I developed a deep admiration for Welsh folk music and choirs, even when the language barrier meant I didn’t always understand the lyrics. It was the pride and passion behind the compositions that resonated with me.

This art form embodies the nation’s pride, deeply rooted in the realities of Welsh life, something I, as someone from a country that fought for its national identity, could deeply appreciate. My musical discoveries went beyond traditional choirs, as I found myself captivated by Dafydd Iwan’s ‘Yma O Hyd’, with its powerful nationalist message, and equally impressed by the Welsh drill scene, led by artists like Sage Todz, which offers a glimpse into contemporary life in Wales.

Welsh art, in all its forms, has not only endured but thrived, despite facing various challenges, and I have no doubt it will continue to inspire others, just as it has inspired me. Throughout my journey, I’ve kept referring to “the Welsh and Welshness”, not because I claim to be an expert, but because, even as an outsider, I’ve come to realise that this is what sets Wales apart.

My introduction to Wales began with a coach driver who kindly guided me when I was completely unfamiliar with the country, and that initial encounter has shaped my perception of Wales. A place where you are never alone and ‘Croeso’ – meaning welcome, is a word you’ll encounter everywhere.

This isn’t just an empty statement. I’ve experienced this warmth when I was on the brink of homelessness and everyone from taxi drivers to neighbours and nuns ensured my friends and I were fed and sheltered. I’ve felt it when strangers came to my aid when I was stranded in the middle of nowhere not once, but twice. And I’ve felt it when locals at rural pubs have greeted me as if we were long-time acquaintances.

The kindness and warmth of the Welsh people have been a constant throughout my two-year journey, making me feel at home nearly 4,900 miles away from my actual home!

But it’s not just their kindness that defines the Welsh for me, it’s also their pride. Coming from a country that has fought to preserve its culture and pride, I admire seeing road signs in Welsh, blue plaques honouring notable Welsh men and women, seniors singing in Welsh in a country pub, and the sight of someone draped in Welsh flags ahead of a rugby match.

Despite my admiration for Wales and its people, I feel compelled to discuss the areas that need improvement here, as even an outsider like me can see that the Welsh deserve better.

The NHS

Coming from a developing country, I had high expectations of the healthcare system here, especially given that it was established by a Welshman. However, my experiences have been far from satisfactory. Despite having easy access to quality medical advice due to my father being a physician, I found the process of seeking medical help in Wales quite challenging. The helplines are responsive, but the long waiting times often forced me to seek advice from back home.

Booking a GP consultation involved a wait of over 30 minutes on the phone, followed by a two-week wait for the appointment itself. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. When a housemate needed emergency treatment, we spent nearly seven hours in A&E before they received the necessary care.

The Welsh Government has stepped up with a multi-million-pound funding boost aimed at tackling the longest NHS waiting times. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles expressed the urgency of the situation, stating: “Reducing waiting times is a national priority – for people across Wales, for us, and the NHS. This new funding will be used by health boards to deliver a range of schemes that will start almost immediately. The NHS is working very hard to reduce the backlog which built up during the pandemic – this is additional funding, over and above the recovery money we make available every year, to support the NHS to cut the longest waits and improve access to planned care.”

He acknowledges the immense pressure on the NHS, particularly post-pandemic, but does not place blame on the service or its dedicated staff. These issues are symptomatic of broader challenges faced by all NHS users, which must be addressed. The Welsh Government’s commitment to making NHS wait time reduction a “priority” is crucial, especially as private healthcare costs soar, leaving the NHS as the only viable option for many, aside from hoping their conditions resolve themselves.

Public transport

Public transport is also a concern; despite Wales’ stunning natural beauty, it’s of little benefit if access is restricted to those with private transportation.

Wales’ breathtaking landscapes are truly one-of-a-kind, and it’s disheartening to see that many of these natural wonders are inaccessible to those without cars, like myself. Even when public transport options are available, they’re often prohibitively expensive or require lengthy, multi-change journeys.

In response, a Welsh Government spokesperson stated: “Improving public transport is a key priority for us. By creating a modern, sustainable bus and rail network we open up a range of work and leisure opportunities and improve access to vital public services. We are investing over £1bn to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and deliver a turn-up-and-go service, which will transform rail travel for passengers with faster and more frequent services operated by brand new trains thanks to our £800m investment in new fleets.”

They added: “We are also committed to bringing forward a Bus Bill this Senedd term to reform the delivery of bus services across Wales and we have awarded more than £100m to local authorities in 2024-25 to improve transport across Wales, including funding for new routes for walking, wheeling, and cycling and new bus infrastructure.”

Individuals may choose to forgo private transportation for various reasons, including financial constraints and environmental concerns, and they should not be coerced into doing so. Occasionally, it seems as though I’m being penalized for not owning a car, which strikes me as profoundly unjust. Wales is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, and this beauty ought to be accessible to everyone, not just those with the financial means.

Racism in the ‘Nation of Sanctuary’

I previously discussed multiculturalism in Wales at length, which is why I’ve been hurt by encounters with overt, internalized, or systemic racism. Wales prides itself on being a Nation of Sanctuary, and in many respects, it is. Nevertheless, as an immigrant and member of an ethnic minority, I’m disheartened to admit that I’ve experienced racism in Wales. I won’t provide statistics; instead, I’ll share my personal experiences.

Please don’t misinterpret my words – I believe that many of my encounters were unintentional and stemmed from ignorance. It might be a snide remark, like the one from someone in a pub who, upon learning I’m Indian, drunkenly said, “Don’t work in a call centre! ” Alternatively, it could be someone who said, “Go back to your country” while I was simply standing on the street conversing with a friend.

Although unpleasant, I can attribute it to ignorance or a lack of understanding. However, it can occasionally escalate into something more sinister.

Earlier this year, I found myself on the verge of homelessness, along with a few friends, when a landlord expressed his reluctance to have Indians residing at his property. The apparent systemic nature of the problem came to a head when South Wales Police chief constable Jeremy Vaughan acknowledged the issue within his force.

Speaking at the National Black Police Association Conference in November 2023, he admitted “institutional racism applies to South Wales Police” and detailed steps being taken to address it. Additionally, while reporting on a different story, I learned that if I were a father right now, as an immigrant, my child wouldn’t automatically qualify for the Welsh Government’s complimentary meal scheme.

Instead, the decision would be up to local authorities—a practice labelled “discriminatory” by campaigners. According to The Bevan Foundation, this policy likely deprives around 1,500 secondary school students of their right to a crucial school meal, also potentially barring them from the School Essentials Grant.

Responding to inquiries at that time, a Welsh Government spokesperson stated: “Local authorities are able to provide meals without charging. Our No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) guidance encourages local authorities to provide free school meals to any child whose parents’ immigration status means that there is no automatic entitlement. We are aware of the reports and are considering their findings.”

A resident has expressed his frustration at the systemic discrimination he faces, stating: “I am ready to ignore personal snide remarks. I can ignore being asked to leave a house because of my race. Maybe I can ignore systemic discrimination by thinking merit is enough – but how much do I need to continue to ignore? A ‘Nation of Sanctuary’ needs to be better, to do better.”

He also highlighted the historical marginalisation of Wales, referencing an 1888 Encyclopaedia Britannica entry that read: “For Wales, see England”, effectively erasing Wales’ national identity. He questioned whether this attitude has truly changed.

Sharing a personal anecdote, he recalled how a money exchanger doubted the existence of Wales when he was preparing to travel to the UK. This experience, he said, underscored the perception of Wales as an afterthought, even internationally.

He pointed out that even in official reports and statistics, Wales is often mentioned after England, as in ‘England and Wales’.

These sentiments aren’t isolated – they’re felt by the people too. Just before the 2024 general election, I had conversations with over a hundred individuals about their voting concerns and one feeling was repeatedly expressed: that Wales is often overlooked in national politics.

Even as an outsider who has only lived in Wales for two years, I can sense that Wales is being relegated to an afterthought. It’s with immense respect and admiration for the nation of Wales that I point out both its charms and areas that need improvement.

Having only been here for two years, I am certain there are many more aspects of Wales yet to be revealed to me and I eagerly anticipate each one. Diolch yn fawr.