ARMY SPOUSE Shashi Pal explains how her family settled into the UK after moving from India and how they overcame the challenges they faced…
Life in the UK was initially very challenging for me and my children. Before moving I worked in IT in New Delhi. Adapting to a different country, culture, customs, weather and lifestyle was not easy.
My husband, Sanjeev, has been serving with the British Army and has already been in the UK for more than six years. During that time it was difficult for me to stay away from him while taking care of our young son and daughter single-handedly. Like many, I had to balance stress, parenting and work responsibilities.
Preparing for the move
In 2022 we started preparing the paperwork to apply for a five-year family visa for the UK. Since it was our first experience dealing with immigration procedures, we were not fully aware of the correct English language test requirements and the supporting documents needed.
Unfortunately, I appeared for the wrong English test and after submitting the application my passport and test certificate became stuck in the process. This created a stressful situation. We felt helpless because we didn’t know how to resolve the issue or who to contact.
My husband contacted AFF and F&C Specialist Katherine provided tremendous support. She helped us understand the process and organise the paperwork. With the help of AFF I was able to retrieve my passport and complete the English language test.
Facing challenges
Once in the UK new challenges began. One of the most difficult experiences was at Heathrow Airport, where I had to answer questions from immigration officers. Although I could speak English, understanding the fast British accent was difficult.
Another major challenge was adjusting to daily life and finding employment. I also struggled with school admissions for my children because we arrived in September and, due to lack of awareness about the system, my husband had not informed the local council or schools in advance to reserve places.
Once again, AFF guided us on how to approach local schools and communicate with local authorities.
Another major difficulty was understanding how systems and public services work in the UK. We didn’t know much about government authorities, train routes, transport connectivity, bus services, local markets, or how to approach local councils for assistance.
We were also unfamiliar with the process of enrolling ourselves and our children with the NHS for GP appointments and healthcare services. In the beginning even simple daily tasks felt confusing and overwhelming.
However, with time, we gradually understood how different systems work. This helped us become more independent, confident and comfortable in managing our daily life in the UK.
Building connections
We currently live in Aldershot and sometimes visit our family and friends elsewhere in the UK. Since we belong to the Hindu community, we searched online for Hindu temples and community centres nearby. Social media platforms such as Facebook also helped us connect with temple groups and local communities.
Slowly life began improving after I found employment with the NHS. Having a stable job gave me confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.
We are now better adjusted to life in the UK. My son and daughter are receiving a good education and I am learning to drive.
My journey has been full of struggles, adjustments, learning and growth. The experience taught me resilience, patience and the importance of support systems while starting a new life in a foreign country.