From London to Warsaw - could European migration patterns be changing?

Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, giving their citizens the right to move and work throughout the Union, there has been a steady stream of Polish migrants to the UK and Ireland. The fragility of the post-communist economy in Poland meant that for many, seeking work away from home became an obvious solution to financial problems. Many Polish migrants came to pick up seasonal or temporary work in agriculture or construction, returning home after a few months or a year. Of course, not all choose to go home, and a settled Polish community has developed in recent years - with those who had previously left families at home bringing them over. As the Polish community has developed, and with migrants increasingly looking for personal development and language skills rather than just temporary employment, young Polish people are increasingly coming to the UK for education as well as work. For Poles taking English courses Dublin and London are popular destinations - big cities tend to be more tolerant towards immigrants than small towns and are good places to look for work.

It may be that it's education that starts to become the biggest draw for Polish migrants to the UK and Ireland. With the economies of both countries struggling, and the Polish currency stronger than it once was, the economic gap between east and west is closing. Recent media reports have suggested that many Polish who migrated to work have gone home, as there are now more opportunities for them in Poland than there are here. For migrants wanting to take an English course Ireland might be a great place to go, but with an unemployment rate of 12%, it's not so great for those seeking work.

So, with Polish migrants beginning to find that they have more opportunities at home than they do abroad, should young British and Irish people struggling to find work consider reversing the migration flows and moving to Poland? It's not as ridiculous an idea as it sounds. Although the country still has a significant unemployment problem, native English speakers can often get work teaching English, and British companies may have openings in their Polish offices. Polish language schools are easy to find for those wanting a grounding in the local language, especially in cities such as Warsaw and Krakow, and charge low fees by British standards. Migrants to Poland will find themselves in a country that is home to some wonderful scenery, up-and-coming nightlife and a rich cultural history. Perhaps a little role reversal would be good for everyone - helping to dissipate prejudices about Poland and providing young Brits and Irish with the opportunities to work and travel that have drawn so many of their Polish peers over here.