The Distance We Carry
The Distance We Carry explores the experiences of Europeans who moved to England, each carrying their own history, expectations, and sense of belonging. Some arrived as children, entering an unfamiliar culture, language, and school system with little control over the change. Others moved as adults, alone or with partners, seeking new opportunities while negotiating what they left behind. Across ages and backgrounds, their stories reveal shifting relationships to home, identity, and the places that shape us.
The project brings together portraits, interviews, and personal archival photographs to trace these layered narratives. Each sitter is photographed in a location that reflects something of their character or past, then interviewed about when they moved, what life was like in their home country, how the transition unfolded, and what they miss. Their childhood photographs act as quiet anchors, connecting present realities to earlier versions of themselves.
Through these individual accounts, the work reflects on migration, memory, and the emotional distances people navigate. It speaks to those who have felt out of place or unseen, offering a reminder that behind every journey lies a different story of resilience, loss, and belonging.
The project brings together portraits, interviews, and personal archival photographs to trace these layered narratives. Each sitter is photographed in a location that reflects something of their character or past, then interviewed about when they moved, what life was like in their home country, how the transition unfolded, and what they miss. Their childhood photographs act as quiet anchors, connecting present realities to earlier versions of themselves.
Through these individual accounts, the work reflects on migration, memory, and the emotional distances people navigate. It speaks to those who have felt out of place or unseen, offering a reminder that behind every journey lies a different story of resilience, loss, and belonging.
Georgios Chatzopoulos
Greek
In 2012, served the Greek army duties and lived in Poland for 3 years. 2015 I moved to Oslo, Norway, and moved back to Greece in 2016 for a few months which is when I met my girlfriend. After a few months, moved to Germany where her family lives. I’ve been a chef since I was 16 and now wherever I travelled there always were job opportunities.
In Greece, in the capital there is lots of graffiti, taller and bigger buildings and not many parks compared to Bath. The people there are nice but aren't so open.
First time ever moving to England, a friend offered a job at a Greek restaurant in Midsomer Norton. Worst experience ever, Manager was a prick, worked 2 months without getting paid. For a couple of months I lived in a hostel where I was moved around room to room but since getting a new job, got paid more, got a better place to live in and sent money to my family to support them as my Father died when I was 17.
I miss my family, the food, the weather and the beaches and the sea. I do also miss riding my motorcycle.
Greek
In 2012, served the Greek army duties and lived in Poland for 3 years. 2015 I moved to Oslo, Norway, and moved back to Greece in 2016 for a few months which is when I met my girlfriend. After a few months, moved to Germany where her family lives. I’ve been a chef since I was 16 and now wherever I travelled there always were job opportunities.
In Greece, in the capital there is lots of graffiti, taller and bigger buildings and not many parks compared to Bath. The people there are nice but aren't so open.
First time ever moving to England, a friend offered a job at a Greek restaurant in Midsomer Norton. Worst experience ever, Manager was a prick, worked 2 months without getting paid. For a couple of months I lived in a hostel where I was moved around room to room but since getting a new job, got paid more, got a better place to live in and sent money to my family to support them as my Father died when I was 17.
I miss my family, the food, the weather and the beaches and the sea. I do also miss riding my motorcycle.
Mireia Arderiu
Spanish
Moved to the UK 29th August 2020 during the Covid times, alone but exited. Only visit the family max 2 weeks. Had to survive alone, find a job to support myself financially, find a Uni to study foundation and then fine art.
I grew up in a village in a posh area, 30 minutes from Barcelona, with no trains, only buses. Nature is everywhere, no tall buildings, only farmer houses and it’s always sunny, only raining in April. But the family is a bit toxic which made me move and it was the best decision I made.
There are things I miss and that would be food, friends, beaches and the transparent sea, also the family, oldest in the family and leaving siblings.
Spanish
Moved to the UK 29th August 2020 during the Covid times, alone but exited. Only visit the family max 2 weeks. Had to survive alone, find a job to support myself financially, find a Uni to study foundation and then fine art.
I grew up in a village in a posh area, 30 minutes from Barcelona, with no trains, only buses. Nature is everywhere, no tall buildings, only farmer houses and it’s always sunny, only raining in April. But the family is a bit toxic which made me move and it was the best decision I made.
There are things I miss and that would be food, friends, beaches and the transparent sea, also the family, oldest in the family and leaving siblings.
Octavia Sav
Romanian
September 2020 started uni during Covid which is also around the time I moved to England.
The people here are more Polite as where in Romania people are more blunt. There were some mixed experiences when moving. At freshers week a few things were off but nothing too bad.
In Romania the buildings are nice but a lot greyer and mixes of things but I like the architecture here more in Bath.
Miss more of the freedom for people, the food, landscapes, nature and the forests.
Romanian
September 2020 started uni during Covid which is also around the time I moved to England.
The people here are more Polite as where in Romania people are more blunt. There were some mixed experiences when moving. At freshers week a few things were off but nothing too bad.
In Romania the buildings are nice but a lot greyer and mixes of things but I like the architecture here more in Bath.
Miss more of the freedom for people, the food, landscapes, nature and the forests.
Violeta Davidovičiūtė
Lithuanian
22nd March 2017, moved to the UK and been here for 5 ½ years. In Lithuania there weren't many buildings or nature around but after going back to Lithuania a few times there are a lot more buildings, more trees, more nature so everything change very quickly and it’s beautiful.
After moving I knew nothing, couldn’t understand anything and couldn't even speak English. After 2 years I managed to speak a bit of English and just about to understand it. The people here are nice but the weather is mostly bad, too windy, too rainy. After some time I got used to it. The nature was good and I had a good experience overall.
The things I miss are my friends, nature and the snow in the winter.
Lithuanian
22nd March 2017, moved to the UK and been here for 5 ½ years. In Lithuania there weren't many buildings or nature around but after going back to Lithuania a few times there are a lot more buildings, more trees, more nature so everything change very quickly and it’s beautiful.
After moving I knew nothing, couldn’t understand anything and couldn't even speak English. After 2 years I managed to speak a bit of English and just about to understand it. The people here are nice but the weather is mostly bad, too windy, too rainy. After some time I got used to it. The nature was good and I had a good experience overall.
The things I miss are my friends, nature and the snow in the winter.
Robert Jedrzejczak
Polish
Born in Poland, Nowa Sól and moved to the UK in 2005. Nowa Sól is a small town with a dense population with shops and markets everywhere.
After getting to the UK and starting school, It was all alien, didn’t understand the language, Didn’t know anyone
In primary school there was some racism towards Polish people. Got Bullied by kids and sometimes by the teachers themselves. Of course I made some friends who aren’t like that and had some fun times as well.
In secondary school things got a lot better, Made more friends, started to train for Bath rugby and by that time my Polish accent disappeared.
The things I miss are my whole family, 90% of them, The food and the culture.
Polish
Born in Poland, Nowa Sól and moved to the UK in 2005. Nowa Sól is a small town with a dense population with shops and markets everywhere.
After getting to the UK and starting school, It was all alien, didn’t understand the language, Didn’t know anyone
In primary school there was some racism towards Polish people. Got Bullied by kids and sometimes by the teachers themselves. Of course I made some friends who aren’t like that and had some fun times as well.
In secondary school things got a lot better, Made more friends, started to train for Bath rugby and by that time my Polish accent disappeared.
The things I miss are my whole family, 90% of them, The food and the culture.
Oa Fontana Rava
Italian
Moved to England September 2019 in Cambridge doing foundation. But start of 2020 had to leave England due to Covid. Start of September 2020 Joined Bath Spa studying BA photography.
In Italy the buildings are much taller and everywhere you go these shops and markets around, whereas in England shops are more centred in one or 2 areas.
At the beginning everything felt strange, felt alone especially when families were not close by and didn't know anyone. But by time I found some other Europeans that really helped. After getting back to Italy, the English language started to take over, making it harder to speak Italian, pronunciation wise. Finally got the NHS number after 3 years
Some friendships were lost after moving somewhere else because of some reasons such as jealousy.
Missing the fresh food, missing family and Sunday dinner.
Italian
Moved to England September 2019 in Cambridge doing foundation. But start of 2020 had to leave England due to Covid. Start of September 2020 Joined Bath Spa studying BA photography.
In Italy the buildings are much taller and everywhere you go these shops and markets around, whereas in England shops are more centred in one or 2 areas.
At the beginning everything felt strange, felt alone especially when families were not close by and didn't know anyone. But by time I found some other Europeans that really helped. After getting back to Italy, the English language started to take over, making it harder to speak Italian, pronunciation wise. Finally got the NHS number after 3 years
Some friendships were lost after moving somewhere else because of some reasons such as jealousy.
Missing the fresh food, missing family and Sunday dinner.