This week we hear the story of Dina. She is an Iranian refugee who has had contrasting experiences of living abroad. She discusses the way in which she has been both brutalised and embraced in her adopted countries and her experience of racism in the UK.

Life in Iran

Dina grew up in Iran during the mid ‘80s. It was a time of revolution and, as a result, she had “a tumultuous childhood”. There were, however, positive memories of that period too. Dina remembers the time spent together as a family, at her grandparents house. With her grandfather’s rambling stories and her grandmother’s epic feasts. It was a happy time.

A magical experience

Yet, at 6 years old, Dina had the chance to travel to the UK. Her aunt, Who lived in London, was getting married. The plan was for Dina to spend a few months in London and then return to Iran after the wedding. Dina reflects on the “storybook houses” she saw in London and she speaks with great excitement about being able to eat fresh bananas for the first time. The confectionery of the UK was something she also appreciated. She describes Maltesers as “a miracle of culinary perfection.”

She says being in London was “magical because it was so Western…so foreign”. During this time, Dina’s mother would convert to Christianity.....

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