Na Slovensku Aj Po Anglicky

In this episode, we are speaking with Olesya Tsybulko about her experience of fleeing the Ukraine war, and making a home across the border. First, in 2014, she was forced from Donetsk, thinking she would return soon. In 2022, she escaped once more. Now she lives in Slovakia, where she fears becoming a refugee for the third time. Theme song: Cristian Estrella – 25 cóndores índigos rumbo a Marte (in...

In this episode we are speaking with the entrepreneur, political organizer, and podcaster Claudia Alner. Her life weaves a captivating blend of Vietnamese heritage and Slovak culture, reflecting her unique journey from childhood in Slovakia to her multifaceted adulthood. Thank you to my guest Claudia Alner. You can listen to her podcast Bananove Deti here: https://www.aktuality.sk/podcasty/bananov...

Listen to John Boyd recount his time as a journalist in Slovakia.

In this episode, we are speaking with John Boyd, a Scottish man who, over the past 30 years, has done just about every conceivable job in Slovakia. Though he is most known for his musical talents. Listen as we trace his life, from his hardscrabble upbringing, to how he feels today about spending the bulk of his life in a foreign country. Thank you to my guest John Boyd. You can find his music onli...

In this episode, we are continuing our deep dives into personal stories, but this time we are shifting our focus toward second generation migrants. Gigi Green's musical odyssey unfolds against the backdrop of a multicultural upbringing in Bratislava, Slovakia, where her British roots intertwine with Slovak heritage. This episode of Na Slovensku Aj Po Anglicky delves into the complexities of id...

In this episode, we starting our series of interviews that focus on the lives of foreigners and their children that call Slovakia home. We'll be spending the full episodes getting to know each of them from childhood to today. This time we are speaking with Sharon Sen. She is an artist from Malaysia who has been living in Slovakia with her Slovak husband and son for the past few years. We spoke...

In this second part of our episode on citizenship, we are speaking with an Englishman who successfully gained Slovak citizenship. Richard Swales came to Slovakia in 2002 on holiday and never left. It took 17 years for him feel the need for citizenship. Why did he finally decide to seek citizenship? How long was the process? How has citizenship changed and improved his life? We answer these questio...

In this first part of a two-part episode we are discussing citizenship, namely Slovak citizenship. While natives may forget the importance of citizenship, all foreigners understand its power to determine the course of their lives. So, how does one obtain Slovak citizenship? Slovakia has several options for foreign born residents, but recently the country has passed an amendment to its citizenship...

In this episode, I discuss the sometimes difficult decision to leave Slovakia with three foreigners. What prompted this decision? Did anyone experience reverse culture shock after arriving home? Do any regret leaving Slovakia? What is life like after? Thank you to my guests: Aneta Czyszczon, Anna Fay, and Michael This episode and my  series on the migrant experience have been made with support fro...

In this episode, we discuss the communities, both online and offline, that foreigners in Slovakia call home. Where do foreigners go to connect with one another? Why is shared identity important for some? How can we use communities to bridge the gap between foreigners and locals? Thank you to my guests: John Boyd, Lovie Moneva, Eva Thu Ha Tran, and Quynh Anh La Thi You can find out more about Vietn...

This is just a short, humorous story about an embarrassing visit to the doctor involving a stool sample, a bag, and a frustrated spouse. Please enjoy my shame. Please follow this show at my website https://nsapapodcast.eu/ Also, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you get podcasts. Thank you! Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound El Flaco Collective - Midnight in Mischief Lennon Hutton - Mr....

In this episode, four foreigner's discuss their experiences with Slovak healthcare. Does the system accommodate migrants? How do they find the right health insurance and doctors who speak a common language? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode. Thank you to all of my guests:  This episode and my series on the migrant experience were created with support from Fjuzn,...

In this episode, four foreigners discuss the ups and downs of dating, marriage, and divorce in Slovakia. How do they find love? What challenges do they face as mixed nationality couples? What do they do when it all falls apart? I would like to thank my guests Mark Manney, Rida Ramzi, Luka Brasi, and Aneta Czyszczon. Check out Mark's band Abscondo at his website:   https://www.abscondo.com/ an...

In this episode three foreign artists discuss the creative work that gives their lives meaning. Is it more difficult for foreign artists to make a living in Slovakia? How does art help process the feelings of being a foreigner? Why make art in the first place? Thank you to my guests Sharon Sen, Naomi Huzovicova, and Piotr Gaska You can see their work here: Piotr: https://studioyolk.wixsite.com/mys...

In this episode, four foreigners and I discuss the dynamics of friendship for foreigners living in Slovakia. How important are our friends from home? Why is making friends with other foreigners easier? Is it difficult to make friends with Slovaks given all of the language and cultural differences? Thank you to my guests: Navid, Yunus, Mark Taylor, and Liudmyla Krivosheya This episode and my series...

In this episode of the show, we are breaking down the ins and outs of the immigration system in Slovakia. Four foreigners share their stories of missing paperwork, rude foreign police and frightening legal limbo. Luckily, they all have survived the process and are now grateful to live peacefully in Slovakia. If you a non-EU resident looking for legal advice on immigration matters and general infor...

In this episode we are talking about family. What is it like for migrants to leave their families behind? Can anything prepare them for the loss of a loved one? Why are Slovak mothers-in-law hesitant to accept foreigners into the family? What are the challenges of parenthood as a foreigner? How do the children of migrants find a sense of belonging in Slovakia? Why do some families choose to stay?...

For this bonus episode of the show, I spoke with Hugo, a British-born long-time resident of Slovakia. Hugo first arrived in the newly formed Slovak Republic in 1994. This conversation is about his first impressions of the country from that time.   Here are a few links to the music of Hugo's daughter Gigi Ann.  https://open.spotify.com/artist/07fvMOL99TxOMM4UxhTHxZ?si=bp_S-7bHTcOgC8MnxTG4...

In this episode, hosts Jeremy Hill and Annel Bautista speak with chef and restauranteur Brian Navarro. He just opened Bratislava's hottest new Mexican restaurant, Mezcalli. Chef Navarro moved to Slovakia with the mission of bringing an authentic Mexican experience to central Europe. Listen as we talk about his journey from the bustling megapolis of Mexico City to the sleepy capital of Slovakia. Th...

In this episode, seven foreigners describe their first challenges after arriving in Slovakia. How did they navigate a culture so different from their own? What were their first impression of Slovakia and it's culture?  Thank you to all my guests: Daria Rychagova, Jamie Byrne, Allie Balciaraova, Warren Gray, Carola Carpinteri, Andrea Paviglianiti, and Manuel. This podcast and my series on migr...

In this episode of the show we are asking the questions: Why do people leave their home countries? and Why do these migrants choose Slovakia? To answer these questions I am joined by eight foreigners from around the world that now call Slovakia home.  Thank you to my guests: Lorin Utch, Lia Bowers, Navid, Daria Rychagova, Miron Domitrescu, Yunus, Aubrey Mathis, and Jamie Byrne. This podcast a...

In this episode of the show, we take a look at homesickness. It's a natural emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. For immigrants, however, it's especially challenging. To discuss this,  I spoke to four foreigners: Brielle Zahn from the U.S.A, Mark Roberts from Australia, Lovie Moneva from the Philippines, and Belle Hermosa also from the Philippines.  I want to thank...

This is a live show we did with some friends in May of last year. We discussed Easter traditions, the pandemic, and life as a foreign parent in Slovakia. Thank you to my guests Brian Tranter and Mark Taylor. Also I want to thank Klub Luc and Men at Sound Studio in Trencin for helping put this together. 

In this special episode of the show I spoke to artist Nina Kohout about growing up in a musical family, attending The Britt School in the UK and the release of her new EP "Pandemonium" You can listen to Nina's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0uP3RuFA2BuBPdGifzeERs?si=gCp4L1YhQtqWWSFRiPn9dA https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/nina-kohout/1599326813 https://soundcloud.com/ninakohout?utm_so...

In this holiday episode I am joined by five foreigners to discuss Christmas traditions here in Slovakia and at home.  Thank you to my guests:  Cristian Estrella(Argentina), Svetlana Cruz(Phillipines), Martin Linkov(Bulgaria), Cristina Martínez Fuentes(Spain) , and Rahel Lema(Ethiopia). Thank you to the great people who offered their voices for the introduction. You can see there names he...