Na Slovensku Aj Po Anglicky

In this episode, we are speaking with Olesya Tsybulko about her experience of fleeing the Ukraine war, and making a home across the border. First, in 2014, she was forced from Donetsk, thinking she would return soon. In 2022, she escaped once more. Now she lives in Slovakia, where she fears becoming a refugee for the third time.

In this episode we are speaking with the entrepreneur, political organizer, and podcaster Claudia Alner. Her life weaves a captivating blend of Vietnamese heritage and Slovak culture, reflecting her unique journey from childhood in Slovakia to her multifaceted adulthood.

Thank you to my guest Claudia Alner. You can listen to her podcast Bananove Deti here:

https://www.aktuality.sk/podcasty/bananove-deti/

In this episode, we are speaking with John Boyd, a Scottish man who, over the past 30 years, has done just about every conceivable job in Slovakia. Though he is most known for his musical talents. Listen as we trace his life, from his hardscrabble upbringing, to how he feels today about spending the bulk of his life in a foreign country. Thank you to my guest John Boyd. You can find his music online at: https://youtube.com/@Joyd?si=-R8bMAqKuslxVXvs You can sign up for one of his music courses at: https://skolahudby.sk/ and https://musichub.sk/ Theme song: Cristian Estrella – 25 cóndores índigos rumbo a Marte (intro version) . You can find Cristian’s work online at: https://www.radiorueda.com/members/cristian-estrella/ https://cristianestrella.bandcamp.com/ Music courtesy of John Boyd: Bratislava (blavababa) - John Boyd

JOYD (John Boyd) - Can You See Me

In this episode, we are continuing our deep dives into personal stories, but this time we are shifting our focus toward second generation migrants.

Gigi Green's musical odyssey unfolds against the backdrop of a multicultural upbringing in Bratislava, Slovakia, where her British roots intertwine with Slovak heritage. This episode of Na Slovensku Aj Po Anglicky delves into the complexities of identity, language, and artistic expression. Thank you to my guest Gigi Ann Green. You can find her music online at:

In this episode, we starting our series of interviews that focus on the lives of foreigners and their children that call Slovakia home. We'll be spending the full episodes getting to know each of them from childhood to today.

This time we are speaking with Sharon Sen. She is an artist from Malaysia who has been living in Slovakia with her Slovak husband and son for the past few years. We spoke about her journey to finding her passion for art, a family tragedy, and how she found her rural paradise in Slovakia.

You can find Sharon's work at her website:

In this second part of our episode on citizenship, we are speaking with an Englishman who successfully gained Slovak citizenship. Richard Swales came to Slovakia in 2002 on holiday and never left. It took 17 years for him feel the need for citizenship. Why did he finally decide to seek citizenship? How long was the process? How has citizenship changed and improved his life? We answer these questions and more in this episode.

Here is the link to the IOM webpage on Slovak citizenship.

In this first part of a two-part episode we are discussing citizenship, namely Slovak citizenship. While natives may forget the importance of citizenship, all foreigners understand its power to determine the course of their lives. So, how does one obtain Slovak citizenship? Slovakia has several options for foreign born residents, but recently the country has passed an amendment to its citizenship act that now allows the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to apply for Slovak citizenship. Our guest for this episode, James Stevko, describes his own journey to citizenship through chance discoveries, plenty of studying, and a connection to a community that gladly welcomes him.

In this episode, I discuss the sometimes difficult decision to leave Slovakia with three foreigners. What prompted this decision? Did anyone experience reverse culture shock after arriving home? Do any regret leaving Slovakia? What is life like after?

Thank you to my guests: Aneta Czyszczon, Anna Fay, and Michael

This episode and my  series on the migrant experience have been made with support from Fjuzn, a program of the Milan Simecka foundation. Please follow them online at:

In this episode, we discuss the communities, both online and offline, that foreigners in Slovakia call home. Where do foreigners go to connect with one another? Why is shared identity important for some? How can we use communities to bridge the gap between foreigners and locals?

Thank you to my guests: John Boyd, Lovie Moneva, Eva Thu Ha Tran, and Quynh Anh La Thi

This is just a short, humorous story about an embarrassing visit to the doctor involving a stool sample, a bag, and a frustrated spouse. Please enjoy my shame.

In this episode, four foreigner's discuss their experiences with Slovak healthcare. Does the system accommodate migrants? How do they find the right health insurance and doctors who speak a common language? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode.

Thank you to all of my guests: 

This episode and my series on the migrant experience were created with support from Fjuzn, a program of the Milan Simecka foundation. You can find them online at:

In this episode, four foreigners discuss the ups and downs of dating, marriage, and divorce in Slovakia. How do they find love? What challenges do they face as mixed nationality couples? What do they do when it all falls apart?

I would like to thank my guests Mark Manney, Rida Ramzi, Luka Brasi, and Aneta Czyszczon.

In this episode three foreign artists discuss the creative work that gives their lives meaning. Is it more difficult for foreign artists to make a living in Slovakia? How does art help process the feelings of being a foreigner? Why make art in the first place?

Thank you to my guests Sharon Sen, Naomi Huzovicova, and Piotr Gaska

You can see their work here:

Piotr:

In this episode, four foreigners and I discuss the dynamics of friendship for foreigners living in Slovakia. How important are our friends from home? Why is making friends with other foreigners easier? Is it difficult to make friends with Slovaks given all of the language and cultural differences?

Thank you to my guests: Navid, Yunus, Mark Taylor, and Liudmyla Krivosheya

This episode and my series on migration is made with support from Fjuzn, a program of the Milan Simecka Foundation. Please follow them online at:

In this episode of the show, we are breaking down the ins and outs of the immigration system in Slovakia. Four foreigners share their stories of missing paperwork, rude foreign police and frightening legal limbo. Luckily, they all have survived the process and are now grateful to live peacefully in Slovakia.

If you a non-EU resident looking for legal advice on immigration matters and general information on the immigration process, please visit the IOM website:

In this episode we are talking about family. What is it like for migrants to leave their families behind? Can anything prepare them for the loss of a loved one? Why are Slovak mothers-in-law hesitant to accept foreigners into the family? What are the challenges of parenthood as a foreigner? How do the children of migrants find a sense of belonging in Slovakia? Why do some families choose to stay? These are the questions we tackle in this episode. 

Thank you to my guests: Daria Rychagova, Jamie Byrne, Lia Bowers, Steve Mellor, Barbara Hill, and Eva Hill.

This podcast series is produced with the support of Fjuzn, a program of the Milan Simecka Foundation. Please visit their website here and social media here:

For this bonus episode of the show, I spoke with Hugo, a British-born long-time resident of Slovakia. Hugo first arrived in the newly formed Slovak Republic in 1994. This conversation is about his first impressions of the country from that time.  

Here are a few links to the music of Hugo's daughter Gigi Ann. 

In this episode, seven foreigners describe their first challenges after arriving in Slovakia. How did they navigate a culture so different from their own? What were their first impression of Slovakia and it's culture? 

Thank you to all my guests: Daria Rychagova, Jamie Byrne, Allie Balciaraova, Warren Gray, Carola Carpinteri, Andrea Paviglianiti, and Manuel.

In this episode of the show we are asking the questions: Why do people leave their home countries? and Why do these migrants choose Slovakia? To answer these questions I am joined by eight foreigners from around the world that now call Slovakia home. 

Thank you to my guests: Lorin Utch, Lia Bowers, Navid, Daria Rychagova, Miron Domitrescu, Yunus, Aubrey Mathis, and Jamie Byrne.

In this episode of the show, we take a look at homesickness. It's a natural emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. For immigrants, however, it's especially challenging. To discuss this,  I spoke to four foreigners: Brielle Zahn from the U.S.A, Mark Roberts from Australia, Lovie Moneva from the Philippines, and Belle Hermosa also from the Philippines. 

I want to thank all of my guests and my son William for playing my younger self. Thank you also to Alexandru Pitei Victor, Elmita Cesnaki, and Mauricio Melara for offering their voices in the introduction. 

You can reach me at the email address: nsapapodcast@gmail.com

Music Attribution:

In this special episode of the show I spoke to artist Nina Kohout about growing up in a musical family, attending The Britt School in the UK and the release of her new EP "Pandemonium"

You can listen to Nina's music here:

In this holiday episode I am joined by five foreigners to discuss Christmas traditions here in Slovakia and at home. 

Thank you to my guests:  Cristian Estrella(Argentina), Svetlana Cruz(Phillipines), Martin Linkov(Bulgaria), Cristina Martínez Fuentes(Spain) , and Rahel Lema(Ethiopia).

Thank you to the great people who offered their voices for the introduction. You can see there names here:

Antti Ståhlberg, Radu Coanta, Andrea DMuras, Seymour Morgan Osterman, Sam Grenville Bennetts, Ging Obar, Nina Liu, Muawia Rao, Liudmyla Krivosheya, Sachin Gulati, László Juhász, Ksenia Belyak, Arif Hussain, Teodor Grozev, Javad Keshtkar, TinTinita Tuk, Elma Cavcic, Lucia Loredana, Mohamed Tammam, Marco Griffo, Ramesh Raj, Direncan Uğurlu, Swapnil Wilson, Gabi Ka, Luschke James, Daniel N, Balu B Babu, Mitesh Patel, Khatia Gelbakhiani

I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!

Have you experienced a Slovak village in the spring? Listen as I take you on a tour of my rural oasis. 

Music:

Cold (Prod. by. Lukrembo)

Sunset (Prod. by Lukrembo)

Marshmallow (Prod. by Lukrembo)

Why and how are foreigners in Slovakia learning Slovak. Listen as we share our experiences

Music by:

► Artist Attribution

Music By: "KaizanBlu"

Track Name: "CLOSER"