Name: Dorota Switon Address: North Circular Road, Dublin Dwelling: Two-bedroom flat Here since: February 2006
I'm from Katowice, but when I was 15 we moved to a village outside Krakow. There's a big forest beside the house - it was great, with all the trees. I live in a two-bedroom flat on the North Circular Road, right beside the Phoenix Park, and there are trees all along the road - it's like the Cosby Show. But it's not the same as living beside the forest. It's funny, I never liked the forest when I was younger, and now I miss it. I miss being able to get fruit and mushrooms and fresh onions.
My brother was here already. He called in February and told me he got a job for me here, so a week later I came over. I stayed with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in the building next door to this one when I arrived at first. It's great to have them here.
It can be hard for some of the Polish people who come over - some get jobs quickly, others end up homeless, begging. I was back home a few weeks ago, and I heard on the radio that two million people have left Poland for work. My mum is a schoolteacher, and I earned more here, working as a pastry chef. I am going home to study psychology, but my mum wants me to stay and study here. I had a friend who was studying to be a lawyer in Poland for five years, and because he couldn't find a job at home, he came over here and he was working in a Spar.
Most Polish people just want to stay here for two or three years and then go home and open a business. I only know one couple who want to stay here. I know a lot of Polish people. On Sunday I meet them at church. I used to sing in the choir there. The Polish Mass is a great way for the community here to stay together.
The thing I like best is the people I have met here. The Irish people are so nice - it is amazing with all the immigrants. There are people from everywhere - Poland, China and Asia, Africa, South America, all here.
When I ask "Oh, how can I get to this street?", people stop and talk to me for five minutes, even offering to walk me there. Especially the old ladies. One time we were sitting in the Phoenix Park with my nephew Frankie, and these five women came up, saying how cute he was, chatting away.
We're quite similar to the Irish - we're Catholic, and we both like drinking, although the clubs at home stay open all night, which is way better than closing at three like here.
• In conversation with Davin O'Dwyer