Problems a young person from a different country may experience in Northern Ireland

At a very young age most children are accepting of the differences between each other.  They are genuinely interested in learning and asking questions about these differences and accept these differences as part of who they are.  However, listening to adults, watching T.V. shows or hearing the news can make children become less and less accepting of others who are different from them.  Any knowledge and understanding they may have gained as a small child becomes lost and forgotten as they grow older and they can become fearful of someone else's culture that is unlike their own. 

When a young person moves from another country to Northern Ireland, this can be difficult for the young person, for a variety of reasons.

The young person may experience loneliness

They may have difficulty making new friends because they feel that they are different and will not have much in common with other young people in Northern Ireland.

The young person may experience language barriers

They may have difficulty communicating with people in Northern Ireland because they do not have a good understanding of the English language and few people in Northern Ireland speak a language other than English.

The young person may experience discrimination

They may face prejudice and discrimination because people can be ignorant and lacking in knowledge and understanding about someone who is different to them.

The young person may not settle in school/college 

They may have difficulty 'fitting in' in a new school/college because friendship groups are already established or there may be a language barrier that make trying to communicate with others and make friends difficult.

The young person may have different customs/traditions

It takes time learning to live in a new community and culture so the young person may find learning about the culture of the people in Northern Ireland difficult because they are not aware of particular customs and practices.