Collin's dictionary definition for multiculturalism is: Term used to describe mnay cultures and learning to get on with one another with mutual repect

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Collin’s dictionary definition for multiculturalism is: Term used to describe many cultures to get on with one another with mutual respect.

For me this is not the whole truth, we are bombarded with media daily causing our brain to be engulfed with other’s opinion and frequently forget our own. I think we have a misconception on what multiculturalism is, for me it’s not just about people coming from different countries getting on with each other. It’s about people from different walks of life of different shapes and sizes wanting to get along, and making an effort of attaining unity. This brought me to consider, what is multiculturalism? What is more important, what do young people feel about multiculturalism, as they’re our future of today.

I live in Bradford, a city quite recognized for its ‘multiculturalism’ with a high percentage of third/second generation immigrants. But what makes Bradford multicultural, which is why I needed to compare Bradford to a place which also holds the multicultural factor. A place different to England, by this I will attain a better insight as well as results; this brought my decision to come to France.

France has always been renowned about allowing immigrants in to the country, from all over the world, and they are allowed to attain a French nationality. Throughout history the subject of France becoming a country of asylum has arisen numerous times. Immigration and multiculturalism is a very controversial subject and many laws have had to be studied before being passed, as it is such a sensitive subject.

As in England, France has cities with a lot of second/third generation immigrants and some do not. This is why, it was important to choose a city with a population similar to Bradford. By this I would achieve reliable results.

For this reason Bordeaux was chosen. With its diversity of cultures it would be the best city to compare Bradford with.

My first step was to design a questionnaire to be used in schools in Bradford and Bordeaux this would make my comparison between the two cities much easier and the difference was easily established. The content of the questionnaire is friendly, asking simple everyday questions, making the students feel at ease.

In the first week of November I reached France. The difference in lifestyle was clearly seen. I was going to attend a collège called Clisthène. The moment I reached it I saw how small the school was, only 100 students attended that school which was quite surprising. Nevertheless it was interesting watching how the school system worked. During my first week I distributed about 30 questionnaires and talked to a few students in relation to how they found the school, and made friends (questions relating to integration.)

The Clisthène College was for 11 to 14 year olds. For this reason I felt it limited my research. So I asked the head teacher if it was possible if I could go to a lycée and distribute some of my questionnaires there. He agreed. When I reached the lycée I was able to distribute almost 20 questionnaires to 16 - 18 year olds which was very fortunate.

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Questionnaire Comparatives- between England and France

Tue s ne(e) en France?

Were you born in England?

Question 1: Out of my 50 questionnaires 3 of the student were born in a foreign country, I think this doesn’t really give much information for my research.

Question 1: From the 50 questionnaires given out 15 of them were born in a country other that England

Si non, out u ne(e)

If not, where were you born?

Question 2: If the students were not born in France they were either from London/North Africa or Madagascar. Students’ ...

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