Brits Abroad

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Berlin

20150720

There are nearly 300,000 Brits in Germany and for young musicians and artists, Berlin is the 'happening' place, offering creative opportunities, cheap living , good music and a 24/7 party culture.

In the first of this new series, Sarfraz Manzoor talks to Brits Abroad in Berlin as he looks at

the other side of EU immigration. The city has always lured young Brits and, when the wall came down 25 years ago, empty buildings to squat and cheap rents proved an added attraction.

But what is the impact on existing communities and the effect of the English speaking bubble within the city?

Sarfraz talks to Brits like Asian comedian Dharmander Singh, who's part of a new emerging comedy scene, as well as musician Lucas Hunter and three brothers who've set up a successful cafe cum fashion business cum nightclub, funded by a variety of jobs including working in a call centre.

He finds how expats like the Brits have led to gentrification in some of Berlin's poorest areas, pricing out existing communities. And, through German comedian Karsten Kaie's satirical show, he discovers 'How to become a Berliner in One Hour'.

Producer: Sara Parker

A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits abroad enjoying life and creative opportunities in Berlin.

Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration

France

20150721

There are so many retired Brits in the South West of France that it has been dubbed 'little England'. Sarfraz Manzoor meets British builders and tradespeople who are meeting the needs of Brits renovating retirement and second homes.

As well as seeing business opportunities, many come to secure a better life for their children with small village schools and a safe rural environment.

They come for a better life but often don't speak French and stick together in English speaking cliques. So how different are they from the immigrants in Britain who are often criticised for not integrating?

Are they under-cutting French builders or offering different skills? And why is that the Brits prefer British builders - and even British hairdressers?

Producer:Sara Parker
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

Sarfraz meets British builders in south west France working for British retirees.

Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration

Ibiza

20150722

Ibiza has long been associated with clubbing and Brits behaving badly, but it has a very different side - one of tranquil beauty which is increasingly attracting the rich and famous, as well as Brits who live on the island and commute to UK.

In the 1950s, Ibiza was a poor island where locals made a meagre living through farming and fishing. Now many have become rich through tourism and selling their land and farms. And while mainland Spain has high unemployment, Ibiza has seasonal jobs and a service industry supporting those living there all year round.

What will be the long-term impact of the new influx of Brits searching for peace - ranging from Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash) from the very London band Madness, to a single mother with her teenage son starting a new life.

Producer:Sara Parker
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits who live on Ibiza, some of whom commute to work in the UK.

Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration

Warsaw

20150723

Poland's growing economy is attracting an increasing number of Brits to Warsaw in search of business opportunities. Sarfraz Manzoor meets them and compares their experience with the half a million or so Poles who have settled in the UK.

Some, like the Cowen brothers, have brought British expertise to the Poland through business clubs - and an expanding chain of fitness gyms. Two other brothers also teach English, which is seen by Poles
as a passport to success and even a job requirement in Warsaw. Other Brits have left family and friends behind in UK to develop themselves and their careers.

Whatever the reason, the Polish offer a much warmer welcome to Brits than many Poles get in Britain.

Producer: Sara Parker
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

With half a million Poles settled in the UK, Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits living in Warsaw.

Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration

Bulgaria

20150724

Sarfraz Manzoor meets the British retirees who are moving to rural villages in Bulgaria and can have a good life on their UK pensions.

They can buy a house for as little as the cost of a 'second hand car', as younger Bulgarians abandon their homes for the city lights or opportunities in the cities or other countries like Britain.

Despite the fact that life is hard for Bulgarians, they welcome the Brits, recognising the benefits they bring to village life and the local economy. Retired Brits also benefit from the reciprocal health care and, when Sally Rickard had breast cancer, all her treatment was free and there were no waiting lists.

By contrast, Bulgarians often have to pay for medication and towards treatment. Such is the plight
of some of their Bulgarian neighbours that a group of Brits have set up a charity to help them.

None want to go back to UK and are worried that, if Britain left the EU, they wouldn't be able to afford to continue living in Bulgaria.

Producer: Sara Parker
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

Sarfraz Manzoor meets the Brits who are changing the face of the Bulgarian countryside.

Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Berlin	20150720	There are nearly 300,000 Brits in Germany and for young musicians and artists, Berlin is the 'happening' place, offering creative opportunities, cheap living , good music and a 24/7 party culture. In the first of this new series, Sarfraz Manzoor talks to Brits Abroad in Berlin as he looks at the other side of EU immigration. The city has always lured young Brits and, when the wall came down 25 years ago, empty buildings to squat and cheap rents proved an added attraction. But what is the impact on existing communities and the effect of the English speaking bubble within the city? Sarfraz talks to Brits like Asian comedian Dharmander Singh, who's part of a new emerging comedy scene, as well as musician Lucas Hunter and three brothers who've set up a successful cafe cum fashion business cum nightclub, funded by a variety of jobs including working in a call centre. He finds how expats like the Brits have led to gentrification in some of Berlin's poorest areas, pricing out existing communities. And, through German comedian Karsten Kaie's satirical show, he discovers 'How to become a Berliner in One Hour'. Producer: Sara Parker A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits abroad enjoying life and creative opportunities in Berlin. Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration
02	France	20150721	There are so many retired Brits in the South West of France that it has been dubbed 'little England'. Sarfraz Manzoor meets British builders and tradespeople who are meeting the needs of Brits renovating retirement and second homes. As well as seeing business opportunities, many come to secure a better life for their children with small village schools and a safe rural environment. They come for a better life but often don't speak French and stick together in English speaking cliques. So how different are they from the immigrants in Britain who are often criticised for not integrating? Are they under-cutting French builders or offering different skills? And why is that the Brits prefer British builders - and even British hairdressers? Producer:Sara Parker A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Sarfraz meets British builders in south west France working for British retirees. Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration
03	Ibiza	20150722	Ibiza has long been associated with clubbing and Brits behaving badly, but it has a very different side - one of tranquil beauty which is increasingly attracting the rich and famous, as well as Brits who live on the island and commute to UK. In the 1950s, Ibiza was a poor island where locals made a meagre living through farming and fishing. Now many have become rich through tourism and selling their land and farms. And while mainland Spain has high unemployment, Ibiza has seasonal jobs and a service industry supporting those living there all year round. What will be the long-term impact of the new influx of Brits searching for peace - ranging from Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash) from the very London band Madness, to a single mother with her teenage son starting a new life. Producer:Sara Parker A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits who live on Ibiza, some of whom commute to work in the UK. Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration
04	Warsaw	20150723	Poland's growing economy is attracting an increasing number of Brits to Warsaw in search of business opportunities. Sarfraz Manzoor meets them and compares their experience with the half a million or so Poles who have settled in the UK. Some, like the Cowen brothers, have brought British expertise to the Poland through business clubs - and an expanding chain of fitness gyms. Two other brothers also teach English, which is seen by Poles as a passport to success and even a job requirement in Warsaw. Other Brits have left family and friends behind in UK to develop themselves and their careers. Whatever the reason, the Polish offer a much warmer welcome to Brits than many Poles get in Britain. Producer: Sara Parker A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. With half a million Poles settled in the UK, Sarfraz Manzoor meets Brits living in Warsaw. Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration
05	Bulgaria	20150724	Sarfraz Manzoor meets the British retirees who are moving to rural villages in Bulgaria and can have a good life on their UK pensions. They can buy a house for as little as the cost of a 'second hand car', as younger Bulgarians abandon their homes for the city lights or opportunities in the cities or other countries like Britain. Despite the fact that life is hard for Bulgarians, they welcome the Brits, recognising the benefits they bring to village life and the local economy. Retired Brits also benefit from the reciprocal health care and, when Sally Rickard had breast cancer, all her treatment was free and there were no waiting lists. By contrast, Bulgarians often have to pay for medication and towards treatment. Such is the plight of some of their Bulgarian neighbours that a group of Brits have set up a charity to help them. None want to go back to UK and are worried that, if Britain left the EU, they wouldn't be able to afford to continue living in Bulgaria. Producer: Sara Parker A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Sarfraz Manzoor meets the Brits who are changing the face of the Bulgarian countryside. Sarfraz Manzoor looks at the other side of EU immigration