Reference
X214/12/13
Title
Transcript of interview with Mario Fuentes Madrigal. Born 21 Oct 1984 in Seville, Spain
Date free text
16 July 2008
Production date
From: 1984 To: 2008
Scope and Content
Grew up with extended family - aunts, uncles and cousins. Used to all meet up very frequently.
Lived in a big flat on the first floor. It had 3 bedrooms and a big kitchen. Nearby was the market, supermarket, school, academy. Three years ago parents bought a house in a peripheral area, in the suburbs.
Three years ago Mario moved to Valencia to finish his degree, and this year has been in Luton.
Father is an optician. He has his own business and gives classes.
Describes relationship with parents.
Mother comes from a small village in the centre of Spain - just 300 people. It is not a rich part of Spain so people migrate to Madrid or Seville for work. Maternal grandmother is from the Basque country.
Father was born in a small village north of Seville; he has 2 brothers and 1 sister. One sibling has moved to Germany but the others are still in the village; they have children so it is good to visit and see the family.
Describes Grandmother - has lovely singing voice and sings in church. She opened a clothes shop in the village which is now looked after by aunts and uncles, but she still goes there every day.
Describes childhood and memories of school.
Started degree in Seville in industrial engineering. Studied there for 2 years. Had a long standing girlfriend, and things got very boring. Decided to complete degree in Valencia. Considered the move made him more mature. Describes time in Valencia - new city and new English girlfriend. After a year the girlfriend returned to England to finish her degree.
Decided to do final year in Luton to improve English [Erasmus scheme]. It has been a good move and English is vastly improved.
'Luton is not amazing but it's OK.' It has been a good experience.
Thinking of going to another country next year to learn another language.
When first arrived in England had hoped to stay in London and just go to Luton for University. However, London was too expensive, and needed to be in Luton more than originally thought. Now enjoys living in Luton; has good house mates and they have parties. It is a good experience.
Describes first impressions of Luton; police crowd control at football matches, drinking in the streets.
Thinks the capitalism is very strong here 'you are what you have'; does not like it.
Requirements/difficulties in opening a bank account and getting a telephone.
Problems with previous house mates.
Does not feel Spanish or Andulisian, but 'from the world'; has been to different countries, met people from everywhere, from every religion, every culture and learned how to enjoy everything and respect other cultures.
Level of description
item