Group+6+Interview

Interview with Simona Seizova 23/6/09

On 23/6/09, we met with Simona Seizova, a year 11 student at Linwood College. She is originally from Macedonia a country near Bosnia and we asked her a few questions about life was like in wartime Europe.

Question 1. What are the reasons yous left Bosnia?

Simona: To escape the impending war and to have a better life, as it was difficult to live in Europe at times.

Question 2. Why did your family choose New Zealand over other countries?

Simona: In the 1990's, New Zealand was the worlds least likely country to experience war along with Zimbabwe, and the country is completely sea locked so other countries would need a large fleet of ships and/or planes to invade the country. Also it was a small country on the other side of the world so it wasnt to likely to be invaded.

Question 3. How different is Europe to New Zealand and have your family struggled to adapt?

Simona:In Europe you stay at school until you finish university as you need all the learning you can get as without a job you are screwed as they have no unemployment benefit in Europe. The government are a lot more helpful in New Zealand as they give you money to help you get back on your feet. New Zealand is also on a whole a cleaner country than Europe. In Europe food is expensive and fruit can only be purchased in season. You must learn to make your food last. Its easy to adapt apart from the language as the government is so helpful.

Question 4. How have your past experiences affected your lives?

The mentality you get from wartime in Europe is that especially refugees applying for movement to another country is to fight for it. And as times are extremely tough in those countries, you have a sort of 'get over it' mentality. Also a hard working mentality is part of your persona. Another mentality is the fact we believe that hiding is good idea!

Back to page1