Oskar Buler

I moved from Poland to the UK during year 6 of primary school. I remember not speaking any English and not being able to communicate with my other classmates which made the transition very challenging but the move to England opened countless opportunities that I wouldn’t have had back in Poland. 

Navigating identity between being Polish and potentially British in the future has always been difficult for me. Currently, I identify more with being Polish just because I still don’t have my UK citizenship nor the right to vote. I’m extremely close with my family and many of my values, cultural traditions, and language spoken at home is Polish. Even my own name gets consistently misspelt as Oscar instead of Oskar which is a constant reminder of my Polish identity that will always be a part of me. However, my visits back to Poland highlight the British traits I’ve adopted without even realising. I no longer can fully relate to the Polish culture when I’m there, but I also can’t say I’m British either. 

Adjusting to university life has been interesting. I love the independence that we’re given as students, and it’s been amazing to focus my education on modules that I’m passionate about and that directly align with my career. One module that has stood out was about contract law. It resonated deeply because contracts are part of our daily routine and something that many times we overlook. It's eye-opening to learn how much contracts govern our lives and many times we’re forced to accept them. Often when we shop, we’re entering in a one-way contract in a store. You take the product without negotiation because that's the deal and many times you simply must accept the terms and conditions as they are. Contracts aren't merely about negotiation; sometimes, the stronger side dictates all the terms, leaving you with little to no decision-making power. 

Upon graduation, I hope to become a lawyer working within international relations. In Poland, the system is quite restrictive and my chances to become a lawyer were minimal due to stringent bar exams and lack of the same opportunities present in the UK. No matter which field I end up working, I know that I’d like to have a voice and the power to effect positive change in the world.