Hi Bloggers and Blog Readers!
My name is originally Levente Toth, but call me on my nickname Lewis. Pardon my english, if it's not the best now, it'll improve as time goes by. I came to the UK, hoping I would achieve a lot and live the dream, so I accepted a Warehouse Operative job in Luton through the EuWork employment agency and left Hungary on the 9th of December 2014.
First 2 weeks in and I'm nowhere near impressed.
Let's start with the first day.
First Day:
The flight was pretty good and it turned out better, when I finally managed to talk to the guy who was sitting next to me watching a movie on his phone. Since I didn't want to sit through that 2 hours and 45 minutes in silence and awkwardness, nor I could sleep because the seats were so close to each other, my legs would barely fit in the gap between them, I had to gather some courage to finally say something to the guy.
The opportunity arised when the guy was reaching for his croissant, but the packaging was inflated due to the reduced atmospheric pressure in the plane's passanger bay, which was kinda funny actually, because it looked like a well-stuffed pillow. We both laughed and that started the conversation. We talked through the entire flight which helped him forget about his fears, because he hates flying with airplanes. Best part was when we got into a turbulence, I've looked out the windows and saw the plane's wing moving up and down with a minimum of 30 centimeters or so and I wasn't even nervous to be honest, I giggled actually (Just how a psychopath would have said that, eh?).
That said, the flight was over and we parted ways as soon as we arrived and set our foot on the land of the great United Kingdom. The whole thing felt like a new game. I had nothing, just me, my luggage and my so-called self-confidence (which disappeared after the first few days).
Next on, I hailed a cab to get to the address where I'm going to live. NOW... If I would have prepared for this trip with a little bit more seriousness, I wouldn't have spent £12 in the very first minutes, and before anyone says anything, I've called the landlord, regarding the best and most money-wise way to get to the address. He said, get into a black cab and it'll take me to the destination for a mere £5. I don't know where did he get that information, but one thing is for sure. He managed to fool everyone with that so far.
After 12 painfully spent British currency I have arrived to the destination. Stop there for a minute. The landlord was supposed to take me to the destination with his car in the first place... Oh well, little details, no one cares about them.
The accommodation:
I stood there for 10 minutes until someone opened the door for me, GIVEN the landlord didn't come to pick me up, therefore couldn't give me a key to the house. Off to a great start.
In one word: Modest. What caught my eye, was the oven. That poor thing didn't see any kind of detergent in it's whole life. I tell you I saw Winston Churchill's own fingerprint on it, he used that thing back in the 20's. Other than that, everyone here is friendly and helpful, they invested the same amount of money and time into this plan as me, so it's common sense that everyone lives peacefully here. The worst here so far was some sticky notes left behind, to wash the dishes, clean up the spillage from the floor and don't play "Target practice" in the bathroom.
At least my roommate who arrived at 4 o' clock in the afternoon, had the same opinion about his first day, so I've got that going for me which is nice.
Since I haven't had an NI number or a credit/debit card, I started to take care of my official businesses, but I quickly realised that I don't have a key to the house and since half of the residents are working while the other half is sleeping, I can't go anywhere, unless I want to lock myself out from the house for an entire day. I decided to stay and wait for the landlord to sign the Tenancy agreement and get the keys. The girlfriend's colleauge of the landlord came the second day. I have conveniently spent one day, thinking about how I could end my life as all this seemed hopeless for me. I was near crippling spiritually.
Next day I went to the warehouse to get my induction and sign the contract with the agency so I can start working there. Long story, short it took about 3 hours to go through the induction and then we all got home. I had no keys then, because the guy didn't arrive yet but he was due at about 4.
So me and my roommate got around the town, did a little scouting and grocery shopping. There isn't much to see in Luton, besides the Town Centre which looks cool and you can hang around the Luton Mall, there are loads of different stores and entertainment options you can enjoy... If you have some dosh. So after we walked around and got the necessary things we needed, like some duvets and pillows, we got back "home" and finally signed the tenancy agreement with the guy and received ONLY 1 key. Had to make a copy of it the next day which costed both of us 2 pounds 50. Collateral damage but whatever, I was tracking my expenses in the first few days, just to realize I cannot spare enough in the end anyway.
My trip to Hatfield:
Let's jump to the point where I get my NI number appointment, because my whole 2 weeks could be published as a book already. After I topped up my Three SIM card which was quite easy, I called the Job Centre to get an appointment for National Insurance. I've got one in Hatfield.
I must say, trains and public transport here are way faster than in Hungary. I've got to Hatfield from Luton in mere 1 hour and 10 minutes. That would have took me 3 hours if public transport was the same as in Hungary. I stood there impressed, when I saw the gates that led me to the platforms. Hungary doesn't have this kind of security at EVERY train station. I jumped 10 years in technology by coming here. Hatfield was an amazing place to visit, it was so beautiful, it wasn't a concrete jungle like Luton, but more like a garden suburb.
"Take me down to the paradise city, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty!"
Kind of... Applying for my NI number was the easiest thing I had to do in my entire life. All I had to do is show my passport and my proof of employment which contained the name, address and job description, then I've got called in for an interview where I had to write down all my credentials and we were done, basically. Pretty easy, did the whole thing under 4 hours and I was happy with the result. Same with opening a bank account, no big deal, had an appointment, had the interview with a really nice lady who opened my bank account in 15 minuntes, because that was a requirement in their job details. Fast and efficient customer service. I approve! Got my credit card after 3 days, along with everything else, internet banking brochure and my PIN number. My NI number had not been yet delivered, but finished my official businesses without any problem.
Got a call from E.on:
Yes, yes, I have stated that I'm working as a Warehouse Operative already, but let's be honest. I must be dumb or naive, to apply for a Warehouse job, 15 days before Christmas. I mean... Christmas stocks are already full, meaning the orders dropped greatly. Since I've got sent home hours before the end of my shift, I quickly realized, that not just I won't have enough money to stash some for January, I'll starve to death in January before I could get through the "cold winter". So I've started sending out CVs like crazy and a friend helped me write and proof read my new CV so that it would eligible for applications and I might get some calls(I owe you a great one, buddy! <3).
While waiting for a call from anyone, I have continued life in the UK, with a bruised ego and pompous attitude, as how good it is for me here. I always say to myself "as good as it gets" so I never feel down. With heads up and a smile on my face I always look on the bright side of this whole new experience. What is the bright side? Off we go to the next day.
As I was still waiting for an opportunity to finally live up to my dreams, I checked out the local ASDA superstore in Dunstable. It's like Auchan at home. Great prices, wide range of selection and it feels good to do the grocery shopping there. I bought some ready meals, some fruits and some beverages to sustain myself for some days. The hunter chicken with bologna sauce and rice was really delicious, though it was ready meal, it was good, but... Since our oven is as old as the ancient half-bred Dark Lord of The Sith, Marka Ragnos himself, the peppercorn chicken, didn't want to get crusty and delicious after 50 minutes of cooking, so I've cut a line in the middle of the breast to check if it was ready and it was still raw inside... Another 30 minutes cooking and it was somewhat ready, as it was white everywhere, the meat itself was friable and soft, so it was a good meal... or so I thought. The next day I felt sick, felt like I wanted to throw up, I was bloated all morning and I almost passed out at work. THAT'S when I've got the call from E.on, regarding the Customer Service job. You know what it is like to talk to a half-braindead zombie?
Let me show you:
- "Good afternoon!" It was quarter to 10.
- "Good morning. *giggles* My name is [insert name of rep here, because I forgot it] and I'm calling you in regards of the job you've applied for."
- "Yeah"
- "You've filled out the ROMA application form and you've passed it."
- "Yeah... I'm listening."
- "And... uh, excuse me?"
- "Sorry, I mean I'm listening."
- "I thought if we could call you back at a more convenient time."
- "Yes that would be good."
- "When it would be appropriate for you?"
- "Well, 4 o' clock in the afternoon would be perfect, because I'm working right now and I'm on my lunch break at the moment."
- "Alright we will call you back up at 4 p.m. then."
- "Alright, thank you!"
- "Bye-bye"
- "Goodbye"
*hangs up*
That was my failed telephone interview and they have never called me back anymore. Checking the time now it's half past 7 and the telephone interview was due 4 p.m. I've only realized what did I do after they said if they could call me up at a more convenient time (they probably thought I was grumpy or drunk) and I knew they are not going to call me back.
To sum it up: (If you're TL;DR)
Arriving to the UK and dealing with the initial difficulties have left me some challenges to overcome, but overall I did really well on my first 2 weeks and now I'm sort of set for a temporary lifestyle until I can find a job. As I always say "as good as it gets" I might have screwed up on that E.on call, but it'll get better because there is always a next time, where I can prove myself. :)
I hope you enjoyed reading my first blog and I intend on keep posting updates here if anything good or bad happens.
If you want to know more later, stay tuned for updates and posts, as it could just get better from here on! :D
Thanks for reading, see you in the next post!
~Lewis
