Short of four years ago, shuffling around a shared kitchen measuring no more than six by seven feet, a fresh-faced Tomás (now identifying as Tara) thought about which cupboard he would store his frying pan in. A tiny flat made up of chipped bricks and grey concrete in foggy Derby city centre seemed a far cry from cloudless Portugal where he grew up.
Today, three years into her degree at the University of Derby, Tara shares her experience, detailing her departure from Portugal to invest in her education and taking the steps to embrace her identity.
“I moved to the UK for University through a scheme. A group of us came over to Derby, mainly because it seemed like an affordable city to live in.”
“Leaving Portugal was a big step for me. I moved to England because I was slightly restricted in choice in Portugal – the interests I had at the beginning of high school didn’t reflect who I was at the end of high school.”
Although, education wasn’t the only priority for Tara when deciding to make the move. Formerly named Tomás, she was in search of a country with an inclusive and supportive LGBT+ community.
“I feel very supported in the UK. Everything is much more open, for example, piercings, tattoos and coloured hair is less taboo and nobody makes a big deal out of it. It’s like everybody has a tattoo or piercing in England. I’m not judged by teachers or peers, I can just be me.”
Tattooed, pierced and a self-proclaimed hair chameleon – constantly switching between vibrant colours, styles and wigs - Tara felt as though identity was much more embraced in the UK and quickly got involved with the LGBTQ+ society at the University.
“Obviously you have the far-right political parties and things like that but, for the most part, being a transgender woman is much more accepted here. Plus, more men are interested in me in the UK.”
“The LGBTQ+ society at the university is a way for me to feel supported, on top of a great group of friends and my lecturers.”
“I noticed first of all that the UK is much more expensive. I’m not sure if that’s more of an economical difference rather than cultural but it definitely is much more expensive – especially in London! I’ve only been to London once but I remember it being so pricey.
“People are different, too. In Portugal, we’re all a bit warmer, more physical contact like hugs and kisses. In England, not so much. A close friend in England is nothing like a close friend in Portugal.
“I’ve also noticed how huge the drinking and clubbing culture is in the UK. We have somewhat of a drinking scene in Portugal but it’s nowhere near as big.”
As for her plans post University, she acknowledges that she doesn’t want to be tied to a career straight away. With ideas to travel the world, broaden her horizons and teach English to non-native speakers, Tara realises she’s not one for the conventional route.
“I’ve never been one of those people who just knows what they want to do. In fact, if I didn’t move to the UK, I probably wouldn’t have gone to University at all. I’d probably be doing something else and my life would look vastly different.
“My future aspirations are all over the place. I want to travel and teach English, which is why moving to the UK was so beneficial - now I can be classed as a native speaker and teach it. Maybe I’ll do something relevant to my journalism degree another time but, for now, I just want to see where life takes me.”