Zahra Soltani Zahra was born in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Zahra’s name means ‘flower’ in Arabic, a popular Islamic religious name in Iran. She moved to the UK about nine years to join her father who was doing a PhD at Cranfield University. Zahra was in the UK for six months when her little sister and mother joined her and her father. They were originally living on campus at the University and then moved to the closest city and that was Milton Keynes. Zahra still does not feel like Milton Keynes is home or the UK in general. Zahra still feels attached to her family and friends in Iran. She does like how diverse Milton Keynes is and her favourite place is the shopping centre because you can find everything you need there. Zahra does not like how quiet it is in Milton Keynes because she is used to the busy city life having been born in the capital of Iran. In Iran people stay out in the streets for longer because the shops stay open until 12 o’clock and you can always find places to eat. She felt safer in Iran because everyone would be out socialising in the evenings. She finds it hard to find things to do in Milton Keynes. Zahra misses the warmth and culture in Iran. Although there are great opportunities in the UK, Zahra wants to move back to Iran because she always feels as though she is missing something. Iran is home for Zahra and she wants to build a life there. This project is an MKIAC project, in partnership with Living Archive MK |