Q: What was it like growing up in London?

A: Growing up in London in the 70s and early 80s was very stimulating. People communicated much more than these days and we were always outside in the street running, playing and trying different things.

Q: Did you like your secondary school?

A: Yes and no...it started well, but changed a lot after long teacher’s strike in my second year. After the strike, the teachers stopped doing after-school activities like sport and school-trips. But I had some very close friends and a couple of really dedicated, caring teachers, so these factors made a massive difference.

Q: Were you a good student?

A: Well, it depends on what you call ‘a good student’. The biggest difference between English schools and Slovak schools is that we aren't expected to be good at everything. We are allowed to focus more on the subjects that we like. So, yes, for my parents and teachers, I was an ok student but in reality, the general standard at my school was low. English, music, and sport was my ‘thing’ and that was what mattered to me the most. If I was not good at Maths, Chemistry, and Physics, then it was not the end of the world...

Q: Did you have any hobbies?

Yes, a couple of long-term ones. First, I started break-dancing with my friends on the street and in clubs when I was 12. We did some shows in London and were on the TV a couple of times but then there were some problems and my dad said ‘no more street-dance!’. After that, I started playing badminton intensively for a few years and got into the national team for my age-group, but then I badly injured my knee and I had to stop training.

Q: What university did you attend?

A: Not a very good one, to be honest. It was in Chichester, a town about 100km south of London and it had a strange, long name that I can't remember at this moment...I would have to find my certificate and check it! Many of the universities at that time were not as special as foreign students might think. My school-leaving marks were not so great, so I had to choose one of these ‘not so special’ universities.

Q: After graduation what jobs did you do?

A: Certainly, nothing connected to my studies! A did several different things. I worked in

factories, loaded lorries, tried night-shifts. In the end, I paid my rent by washing

dishes in restaurants. It wasn't easy but was not as boring as it sounds and there

were always some friendly people around to get to know. In one of the restaurants

they asked me to train as a chef but I said no. Washing the dishes was enough for

me! I lived like this until I was 26.

Q: Were you a teacher in England?

A: From 26-30 years of age I traveled around Europe and then lived in Barcelona for 3years. I taught in Barcelona for a couple of years but came back to London when I was 30 for family reasons. Then, yes, I started teaching in London, and I continued for 4 years doing that.

Q: How did you get to Slovakia?

A: My wife is Slovak. We met in London in 2000 and we got married in 2002. We decided to come to Slovakia in 2007 to be with her family and try living here.

Q: What do your family and friends back in London think about Slovakia?

A: That is an interesting question! When I first came here people in London did not know much about Slovakia at all really. But nowadays, many Slovaks are living and working in London who have built a good reputation as hard-working, intelligent people. So, when I tell my family and friends that Slovakia is a fascinating country, they take my words more seriously than before.

Q: How long have you been living in Slovakia?

A: Approximately 9 years.

Q: Do you think there are some differences between schools in London and Slovak schools?

A: Of course. Many. But the biggest difference is what I said earlier: that Slovak school children are expected to be good at everything and in London, we are expected to be good at just a few things. We specialize more in the subjects we enjoy. But I must say, that the school system in Slovakia is impressive and it produces some excellent students.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Spend quality time with my wife. We are both teachers, so we both work a lot of hours and do not have a lot of free time but when we do get time then we like to travel somewhere together. And if we are too tired then we just chill-out and be lazy, talking, reading, listening to music, all the usual things.

Q: Do you have any favourite movies or bands?

A: I do not go to the cinema often and my wife and I like to watch documentaries on YouTube if we feel like watching something. As far as music is concerned...I enjoy anything I like the sound of. At the moment I am listening to a lot of Radiohead, Aphex Twin, and some old Depeche Mode stuff.