Express interview

Hi friends,


About 5 years ago I tried to get into art of acting; I took course in this kind of art and learned basic rules of recitation and how to become an actor. That was a hobby for that period of my life. So, and today I would like to take opportunity and be like an actor and jump in journalist skin. What I am going to do is to take an interview…
Well, I took an article which is matter of current interest in my country (going abroad), think over some questions and started looking for a person who is willing to talk about that. After on mature consideration I decide to ask my boyfriend for an interview. I thought he is a very good example of such kind of tendency in Latvia and he already worked in Channel Island over 5 years. And more over if not him – I probably never would go abroad for living and working…

So, I asked and he agreed (thanks God). ..
As I mentioned before he have been worked in Channel Islands for long time already, more exact - about 4 and a half year he spent his time working in Guernsey and now it is almost 9 months passed already as we are fighting together here in Jersey. His full name is Edmund (or Eddie) Zeltins and now he is sitting in front of me and his body language says that he is open and ready for small chat…Edmund is strong personality, with high communication skills, calm but energetic, very talented and charismatic person with artist education in wood works and he is a sculptor as well.
We are sitting in a small but light room, nice and softly music is playing in background… I switch on my dictaphone and my first interview exclusively for BBC learning go on…



Hi Edmund, could you please tell me what you were doing in Latvia shortly before you come to Channel Islands, Guernsey ?

Hi Ilze, I am glad to give you my first interview. After serving in Russian Armed Forces for 2 years, I worked as Police officer for 10 long years. Than I left work in Police and establish my own company, where I worked very hard for 3 years. And shortly before I decided to leave my country I worked in wood work company and I designed various wood works models such as saunas and separate details of sauna, small houses etc. which later was exhibited in Finland and France. I was leading different projects of company as well.
Because of economics fall down in Latvia was dramatic I closed my company and jump in new adventures…


Why and how did you decide to leave your country?

How I said before I was ready for new experience. It was in early 2003, some of my friends already left Latvia and I took a chance to get abroad too. Like a lonely traveller I made a long journey to the most beautiful island I ever saw - Guernsey. I was going for new work experience; meet different people, to learn new things, new culture and language.
Firstly, I was going for new impressions, but, of course, I wanted to earn more money as well.

Where did you find a job in Guernsey?

First of all, you have to take into account that at first time of living in island I had small knowledge of English language but a job I found very quickly – after 2 weeks I started to work in Island’s leading wood carving company – Guernsey Wood Carvers. Company’s owner took me to the job as temporary employee for 1 week to find out what I can or can not do. After 3 hours of work owners congratulated me by getting permanent job in his company…Actually I was sure about such result, because I was convinced about my competence. I earned a half of local person salary, but anyway I was happy enough because despite of small salary, I earned 5 times more than in Latvia.
(with Edmund’s permission I give you some photos from his works)

How long did you work there ?

I worked the same job and I had 2 times lower salary as local worker, but costs of living in Guernsey was the same for everybody. One day I asked for extra money, because there was for me very important reason – suddenly I had to change my accommodation.
After my request was rejected I make my deciding in next 5 minutes. I left that job at once. In total, I worked for Guernsey Wood Carvers almost 6 months. I liked that job a lot, but money for me was more important. My first employer in Guernsey stays behind me with tears in his eyes, but life is cruel.
In one weekend I found a new job in one of Wood Flooring Company in Guernsey, and there I was much better paid and very soon I become the best skilled specialist in that company.

Why did you leave Guernsey and well paid job ?

Well not because I wanted so but because of Guernsey government rule about population regulation says that maximum stay for foreign workers in the Island is 5 years, and after that they must have the island for minimum term 1 year.
But I was not sad much, because I have done many of good jobs behind me and good reputation in the island. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed living and working in Guernsey.
Now it is 9 month already as I started my ‘new live’ in Jersey which is next Island to Guernsey. But about obstacles how I getting in Jersey – this story I will tell you in some another interview.


And my last question is: what do you see yourself doing, for example, five years from now ?

Perhaps I will continue looking for possibility to establish some trading company here and passion for art will leave like a hobby. Than will see…
I have to look just forward, I have no way back because Latvia is still in deep crisis.

Thank you Edmund very much for this interview ! And I wish you all the best !

I am sure...

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