James Jarrett grew up on a farm in Florida but wanted more opportunities, so he worked hard in school. He went to college in Massachusetts where he studied economics and was exposed to diverse ideas. This led him to study development in Uganda and later the UK, where he met his partner. He has now lived and worked in the UK for over 15 years as a health economist but struggled with visa requirements until recently obtaining indefinite leave to remain.

1. Cook This is James Jarrett. Son Feminist Academic Student Brother Economist Migrant

2. The Case of James Jarrett I grew up on a farm in Florida, in the southern United States. There I had loads of family close by - about eighty members of my extended family lived within a mile of the farm! It was good, I had instant friends in all my cousins, and things were secure, my family were always there to support each other. We weren’t rich but everyone looked after everyone Life in the U.S. Photos here

3. The Case of James Jarrett I went to a school twenty miles away, in the same town as my parent’s business, so I’d be given a lift by them every day until I could drive myself. School was a bit like school for everyone - some good bits and some bad. Life in the U.S. I lived in a poor area - people don’t really know what’s out there outside of their community, and it meant that very few people ever left. I was different, I did want to leave - there weren’t the opportunities for me in my home area.

5. The Case of The Reaction The course I was on was really international - people came from all over the world, so being a ‘foreigner’ wasn’t unique to me. We were all in the same boat. Being American had no real consequence… other than me being able to discuss world politics - something everyone wanted to talk about, especially after 9/11.

9. The Case of The Resolution? When I’ve got the money I will probably get dual citizenship (I’ve already qualified for this because I’ve been working here for more than five years in a row). I want to do this because I’ve made both my professional and my personal life here. I like it here, and it’s become home. In October 2009 I took the ‘Life in the UK’ test as part of my application. I was asked a range of questions, from employment law to history - I’m not even sure many of my British friends would have passed! I did pass, and £860 later I secured an ‘indefinite leave to remain’ visa.