Returning to Madona as an Opportunity to Fulfil Long-Postponed Dreams

When Ieva Ozoliņa from Madona first left for England, she had a very specific goal: to earn enough money for her studies and return to Latvia after a year. At the time, she had no idea that life would take her abroad for a second time, or that returning home would require just as much courage and determination as leaving.

From an early age, Ieva had been drawn to art and creativity. She wanted to study interior design, but her family's financial circumstances were limited. Ieva realised that she would have to finance her education herself. So, after finishing school, she decided to go to England to work and save the money she needed for her studies. It was a carefully considered decision with a clear purpose. After approximately a year in England, Ieva returned to Latvia and began studying interior design at the Baltic International Academy. Everything seemed to be gradually falling into place. She was living and working in Riga, but soon the economic crisis began, significantly changing her plans. Job opportunities became scarce, her financial situation grew increasingly difficult, and continuing along her chosen path was no longer straightforward. Finding suitable employment in Madona was also challenging. Ieva recalls that, at the time, the question of what she truly wanted to do had to be put aside. The priority was simply to find work and earn a living.

Leaving for the Second Time: A Life That Began in a Garage

When the opportunity arose to return to England, Ieva and her partner Mārtiņš decided to give it another try. This time, however, they faced much greater uncertainty. Although they knew someone in England who helped them take their first steps, they still had to find accommodation and employment on their own. The beginning was far from easy. They spent their first days staying with acquaintances, sharing a small space with several other people. Eventually, they managed to find a place of their own, although it was little more than a small garage converted into living accommodation. Today, Ieva looks back on that period with a smile, although at the time the situation was anything but simple. They had to learn how to navigate a new country, find jobs, understand everyday routines and, at the same time, figure out how to move forward. She has particularly fond memories of an older man she met at their first place of accommodation. He became someone who helped them settle into unfamiliar surroundings. He showed them where the bus stops were, explained how to get to different places and helped with ordinary everyday matters that can seem surprisingly complicated when living in a foreign country. Ieva and Mārtiņš affectionately called him "Uncle". Over time, this chance encounter developed into a friendship that continued even after they moved elsewhere. He later even visited them in Latvia. This experience showed Ieva just how much human kindness and support can mean when you are far from home.

Five Years of Work, with Each Day Becoming Much Like the Last

Initially, Ieva and Mārtiņš worked in a warehouse before finding jobs at a large market. Their working days were long and physically exhausting. They often worked five or six days a week, spending ten to twelve hours a day at work. Relationships with the people around them were not always easy either. At first, they encountered prejudice and unpleasant attitudes because they were immigrants. Over time, however, the situation changed. Through their hard work and attitude, they gradually earned the respect of their colleagues and employer. People who had initially been dismissive slowly became friendlier. Five years passed in this way. They had jobs and an income, but increasingly found themselves wondering whether this was really the life they wanted. Looking back on their years in England, Ieva acknowledges that much of the money they earned went towards supporting relatives in Latvia. One of their mothers dreamed of renovating her kitchen, the other had plans of her own, and other family members also needed help.  At the time, helping their loved ones seemed only natural whenever they could afford to do so. Yet it was only after returning to Latvia that Ieva and Mārtiņš fully realised how much of their time and earnings they had devoted to others, often putting their own needs second. Their years in England also brought many wonderful people and meaningful friendships. Ieva emphasises that one of the greatest benefits of living abroad is meeting people with whom lifelong friendships develop. Even today, they remain in contact, regularly meet and visit one another. Although life has taken them to different countries, the friendships formed in England remain an important part of their lives. Nevertheless, as time went on, it became increasingly clear that England was not where they wanted to build their future.

The Decision to Return, with Family in Mind

After five years in England, Ieva and Mārtiņš faced an important question: should they stay and build their lives there, or return to Latvia? They wanted to have children, and it was the thought of starting a family that prompted them to seriously reconsider their future. Ieva recalls that, despite the years she had spent in England, she had never felt that she truly belonged there. She had friends, a familiar routine and a job, but the feeling of being a foreigner had never entirely disappeared. The idea of raising children in England also raised many questions. Ieva was not sufficiently confident in the education system there and did not want to build her family life in an environment where she herself did not feel completely at home. Eventually, they made their decision. They would return home to Madona. After returning to Latvia, they initially had to live with their parents again and gradually rebuild their everyday lives. Although they were back home, the transition was not as easy as they might have expected.

Returning Home Did Not Mean Everything Immediately Became Easier

Ieva openly admits that she experienced disappointment after returning to Latvia. Having lived in England, she had become accustomed to a different kind of everyday interaction and attitude towards others. In Latvia, she sometimes missed simple kindness and willingness to help. She particularly remembers situations after the birth of her daughter, when entering a shop with a pushchair could be difficult and people around her were not always willing to lend a hand. It was precisely these small everyday experiences that highlighted the differences between life in England and Latvia. However, practical matters presented an even greater challenge. After several years abroad, they had to familiarise themselves once again with Latvia's labour market, tax system and social security arrangements.

Ieva recalls that information about the support available to people returning to Latvia was not easy to find. They had to work out many things for themselves, and sometimes it was only after returning that they realised how complicated the transition between two countries' systems could be. They also had to rebuild their professional lives. Mārtiņš took on practical work as a tradesman, while Ieva searched for her place in the working world.

Rediscovering Art and Her True Calling

Today, Ieva works at Madona Art School, where she is both a teacher and deputy head. In a way, life has brought her back to what interested her as a young woman, when she first travelled to England to earn money for her art studies. The path to her current position, however, has not been straightforward. After returning to Latvia, Ieva also worked in production management at a potato crisp manufacturing company. It was a demanding and responsible role, but over time she experienced burnout.  That experience made her reconsider how much of her life she wanted to devote to work and how to find a balance between professional responsibilities, family and personal interests. Now, working in arts education, Ieva feels closer to her original passions. Although she has not yet found enough time for her own creative projects, or perhaps even a solo exhibition, she hopes to fulfil these dreams in the future.

What Does Living Abroad Teach You?

Reflecting on her years in England, Ieva does not see the experience as entirely positive or negative. It was a period that demanded considerable strength, but it also helped her become more independent and introduced her to people from different backgrounds. One of the most important questions she returns to concerns the value of money and time. How much do we really need to earn, and what are we willing to sacrifice to achieve it? Do long working hours and financial stability necessarily mean a fulfilling life?  Ieva also emphasises the importance of human relationships. When living in a foreign country, it is especially important not to become isolated, but to build friendships and find people with whom to share both joys and difficulties. She also understands those who choose not to return to Latvia after spending many years abroad. When someone has established a family in another country, their children attend school there and their life has become settled, the decision to start all over again in Latvia can be extremely difficult. That is why, in her view, simply encouraging people to return is not enough. People need to see genuine opportunities for employment, housing and family life, as well as have access to clear information and practical support.

Home Is Where You Build Your Life

Today, Ieva lives in Madona with her family. She works in a field connected to her childhood interests, raises her daughters and continues building a life in the place from which she once set out to explore the world.  Looking back, she does not deny that her years in England gave her valuable experience. They taught her independence, perseverance and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances. At the same time, they helped her better understand what truly matters in life. Ieva's story reminds us that returning to Latvia is not always the easiest path. Sometimes it means giving up familiar stability, searching for your place once again and starting many things from scratch. Yet it can also be an opportunity to rediscover long-postponed dreams and build a life that reflects your own values. 
Years ago, Ieva travelled to England to earn money for her art studies. Today, she helps children and young people in Madona discover the world of art themselves. And perhaps it is this turn in her life that best illustrates how the path towards finding one's true calling is not always a straight one. Sometimes, it leads through another country, years of hard work and the courage to return home.

Translated by AI