Hamad’s Story - Life in Many Languages 

I grew up in a small town in Punjab, Pakistan, surrounded by my extended family. Life was vibrant, and the languages and dialects I heard every day fascinated me from a young age. I lived between two places, my village with my parents and the city with my grandparents, where I studied. The two locations had distinct dialects of Punjabi, and that diversity in language stuck with me, sparking my fascination with different languages. Alongside that, I learned Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, and English, which was the medium of education. I even started picking up Arabic at an early age since my father was studying it at a university in Saudi Arabia. This mix of languages became the foundation of my life. 

When I turned 22, I moved to Lahore to study law at university. But while my classmates were all focused on their studies, I was hiding away in the library, reading French Novels and Persian poetry. I didn’t regret it, but my grades suffered because of my love for literature. Despite that, I knew I had found my passion in books and poetry. 

At 23, I left Pakistan to pursue further education in the UK. I had completed my LLB in Pakistan, and my parents, eager for me to advance, sent me to study for an LLM in law. But I never ended up practicing law. Instead, I found myself in London, studying filmmaking, something I’d always been drawn to. I spent my early years there working in various odd jobs to make ends meet—teaching assistant roles near Wimbledon, working as a security guard in London’s West End theatres (basically anything to get by). I struggled a lot during that time, especially as an international student who had to pay fees that were four times higher than local students. I lived paycheck to paycheck, trying to juggle multiple jobs, and the constant struggle for survival made it difficult to truly focus on my passion for writing. 

But then, life took a turn. After seven years in London, I moved to Cardiff for a new job. I was nervous at first, to be honest. I had only known London, the hustle, the rush, the constant chaos. Cardiff, in contrast, felt like a whole new world. Smaller, quieter and far less frantic than the streets of London. It was a big change, but one I was ready to make. 

Here, I finally found the stability I had been searching for. With fewer distractions and a more relaxed pace of life, I was able to focus on what had been on my mind for years: writing. It was the first time in a long while that I had the space to think, to reflect, and to create. I bought my first house, got married, had children, and even managed to write my first novel. These were all milestones that took place in Wales, and I couldn’t be more grateful for how much I’ve grown here. 

The literary scene in Wales was a revelation to me. It was welcoming and thriving, and it kept me motivated. I found a passion for learning Welsh, which connected me to a whole new world of language and culture. I was surrounded by other multilingual people, many of whom had similar backgrounds to mine. It was so interesting to interact with them, especially in a place that felt like a fresh start. 

Wales is known as the land of bards, and I’ve come to understand why. Just like in Pakistan, there’s a true passion for poetry here. It’s more than just something academic; it’s a way of life. I can walk into a pub in Wales, and I might find people casually reciting poetry, competing in recitals, or sharing verses over a drink. It’s something I haven’t encountered often in England, and it reminded me of those gatherings back home. The difference, though, is that in Wales, poetry feels more universal. It’s not limited to a specific social class or educational background. People from all walks of life come together, reciting and learning from the masters of Welsh poetry. I find that really special. While beginning to write poetry in Welsh has been an amazing experience. 

While Cardiff’s multicultural vibe helped me settle in. It wasn’t just the city’s diversity; it was the communities I connected with and the friendships I built. I lived in different parts of Cardiff, interacting with various communities, which made my experience even richer. In some ways, Wales felt like home—a place where I could build the life I had always dreamed of. 

But despite my great love for Wales, I still miss Pakistan, especially my family. I miss the warmth of my parents, the laughter of my siblings, and the closeness of my friends. While I’ve lived outside Pakistan for a long time now, it doesn’t get easier to be away from them. My siblings are back in Pakistan, and it’s tough being so far away from them. I’ve only been able to visit once every couple of years, and I often miss them.  

They haven’t been able to visit me here in Wales, though. The whole visa process, the paperwork, the hurdles – it’s all just so difficult, especially for my parents who are getting older. They don’t have the energy or the means to navigate it all on their own, which is frustrating. I would love for them to visit, to be able to share my life here, but the logistics make it nearly impossible. 

It’s the little things I miss, too—the taste of food I can’t find here, a particular corner of a street that brings back memories or simply hearing the words of my native languages- Urdu and Punjabi. I miss those connections, the depth of those languages that I can’t fully express here. 

It’s odd, though. Sometimes, when I write in Urdu or Punjabi, I find myself searching for words or memories that take me back to my roots. Writing in those languages fills me with inspiration and nostalgia. But it also brings me face to face with the reality that I can’t immerse myself in them as much as I did back home. The sounds of Urdu are rare here, although there is a Pakistani community in Cardiff, and I hear it occasionally. But it’s not the same as being surrounded by it every day. 

Looking back though, I can honestly say that moving to Wales was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I arrived unsure of what to expect, but I’ve found a life here that I never imagined. From the struggles of navigating a foreign system to finding my place in a quieter, more peaceful city, it’s been a journey that has shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated. And now, as I continue to write and explore my passions, I feel like I’ve finally found the balance between the different parts of me—the writer, the multilingual person, and the dreamer.