My name is Dr. Adeshola Ademiloye , an engineer who moved to Swansea in 2018 after completing my PhD in civil engineering with a focus on biomedical engineering applications in Hong Kong. Before moving to Swansea, I spent a couple of years in Hong Kong. Since joining Swansea University as a lecturer, I have lived here for almost six years with my wife and our six-week-old baby. Transitioning from Hong Kong to Swansea was significant, especially with a new family member. I earned my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with first-class honours from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. My journey has been marked by notable transitions and new beginnings.

Upon arriving in Swansea, I was fortunate to have a job offer, which eased my transition. Had I arrived without employment lined up, the experience would have been far more stressful. The job offer allowed me to focus on settling in and adjusting to the new environment rather than scrambling for work. The support from Swansea University also facilitated my integration, providing a smooth entry into both professional and social circles.

Living in Swansea as a member of a minority ethnic community has presented its own set of challenges. One significant hurdle was finding accommodation. Despite having the financial means, securing a rental property was challenging, leading my family and me to stay in a short-stay apartment temporarily. It wasn’t until a landlord extended us an opportunity that we secured a home. This experience highlighted the subtle but persistent nature of discrimination. Sometimes, not receiving a callback from an estate agent leaves one questioning the underlying reasons for such responses.

Another challenge was opening a bank account. With my paycheck and a confirmation letter from the university, I faced difficulties opening an account. The need for an address without a bank account and vice versa created a frustrating cycle. Eventually, I managed to resolve the issue, but the experience underscored the subtle biases that can impact one’s experience, revealing the disparities in treatment that can exist.

These challenges, while often subtle, are part of the broader experience for many in the minority community, particularly concerning housing and basic services. Though recounting each experience might be discouraging, I have learned to navigate these hurdles and continue to move forward.

My journey in Swansea has been diverse. At the university, I interact with the local community, including ethnic minorities. Outside my academic role, I serve as an associate pastor at my church, engaging with people, particularly young individuals and newcomers, offering support and guidance. This role has been rewarding, allowing me to provide practical and spiritual support to those adjusting to new environments.

Additionally, I am involved with BMHS, a local organisation where I serve as one of the directors. I also founded an organisation dedicated to personal finance education, offering coaching and webinars to help individuals make informed financial decisions. This initiative is crucial for many in the ethnic minority community who may not fully understand the long-term impacts of their financial choices, such as credit management and timely payments.

In academia, I strive to be a role model and mentor, particularly for students from minority backgrounds. I hold open-door sessions where students, including those not directly under my tutelage, can seek advice and support. This approach has been beneficial in helping students feel confident and supported.

As a church leader, I have created a supportive space where people can express themselves, whether they are struggling or celebrating. Providing both practical and spiritual support has been integral to my role, helping individuals navigate their personal challenges.

To the majority community in Swansea, embracing diversity offers numerous benefits. A diverse community fosters prosperity by integrating varied experiences and perspectives, enhancing overall vibrancy. In business, understanding diverse needs can drive success by tailoring products and services. Companies with diverse leadership often perform better by aligning with broader trends and desires.

To fellow ethnic minorities, integration is key. Adaptation involves understanding how to thrive in a new setting without losing your identity. Flexibility, like adapting communication styles, is crucial for professional success.

To young people, my advice is to embrace opportunities without self-limiting. Often, hesitation stems from not meeting every qualification, but many companies invest in potential and provide training. Continuously developing yourself through learning and interactions equips you to make a meaningful impact on your community.

Fy enw i yw Dr. Adeshola Ademiloye, peiriannydd a symudodd i Abertawe yn 2018 ar ôl cwblhau fy PhD mewn peirianneg sifil gyda ffocws ar gymwysiadau peirianneg fiofeddygol yn Hong Kong. Cyn symud i Abertawe, treuliais ychydig o flynyddoedd yn Hong Kong. Ers ymuno â Phrifysgol Abertawe fel darlithydd, rwyf wedi byw yma ers bron i chwe blynedd gyda fy ngwraig a’n babi chwe wythnos oed. Roedd symud o Hong Kong i Abertawe yn arwyddocaol, yn enwedig gydag aelod newydd o’r teulu. Enillais fy ngradd baglor mewn peirianneg sifil gydag anrhydedd dosbarth cyntaf o Brifysgol Obafemi Awolowo yn Nigeria. Mae fy nhaith wedi’i nodi gan drawsnewidiadau nodedig a dechreuadau newydd.

Ar ôl cyrraedd Abertawe, roeddwn yn ffodus i gael cynnig swydd, a hwylusodd fy nhrosglwyddiad. Pe bawn i wedi cyrraedd heb unrhyw swydd, byddai’r profiad wedi bod yn llawer mwy dirdynnol. Caniataodd y cynnig swydd i mi ganolbwyntio ar ymgartrefu ac addasu i’r amgylchedd newydd yn hytrach na sgramblo am waith. Fe wnaeth y gefnogaeth gan Brifysgol Abertawe hefyd hwyluso fy integreiddio, gan ddarparu mynediad esmwyth i gylchoedd proffesiynol a chymdeithasol.

Mae byw yn Abertawe fel aelod o gymuned lleiafrifoedd ethnig wedi cyflwyno set ei hun o heriau. Un rhwystr sylweddol oedd dod o hyd i lety. Er gwaethaf y gallu ariannol, roedd sicrhau eiddo rhent yn heriol, gan arwain fy nheulu a minnau i aros mewn fflat arhosiad byr dros dro. Dim ond ar ôl i landlord roi cyfle inni y llwyddwyd i sicrhau cartref. Amlygodd y profiad hwn natur gynnil ond parhaus gwahaniaethu. Weithiau, mae peidio â chael galwad yn ôl gan werthwr tai yn gadael rhywun yn cwestiynu’r rhesymau sylfaenol dros ymatebion o’r fath.

Her arall oedd agor cyfrif banc. Gyda fy siec cyflog a llythyr cadarnhad gan y brifysgol, cefais anawsterau wrth agor cyfrif. Roedd yr angen am gyfeiriad heb gyfrif banc ac i’r gwrthwyneb yn creu cylch rhwystredig. Yn y pen draw, llwyddais i ddatrys y mater, ond tanlinellodd y profiad y rhagfarnau cynnil a all effeithio ar eich profiad, gan ddatgelu’r gwahaniaethau mewn triniaeth a all fodoli.

Mae’r heriau hyn, er eu bod yn aml yn gynnil, yn rhan o’r profiad ehangach i lawer yn y gymuned leiafrifol, yn enwedig o ran tai a gwasanaethau sylfaenol. Er y gallai adrodd pob profiad fod yn ddigalon, rwyf wedi dysgu llywio’r rhwystrau hyn a pharhau i symud ymlaen.

Mae fy nhaith yn Abertawe wedi bod yn amrywiol. Yn y brifysgol, rwy’n rhyngweithio â’r gymuned leol, gan gynnwys lleiafrifoedd ethnig. Y tu allan i fy rôl academaidd, rwy’n gwasanaethu fel gweinidog cyswllt yn fy eglwys, gan ymgysylltu â phobl, yn enwedig unigolion ifanc a newydd-ddyfodiaid, gan gynnig cefnogaeth ac arweiniad. Mae’r rôl hon wedi bod yn werth chweil, gan ganiatáu i mi ddarparu cymorth ymarferol ac ysbrydol i’r rhai sy’n addasu i amgylcheddau newydd.

Yn ogystal, rwy’n ymwneud â BMHS, sefydliad lleol lle rwy’n gwasanaethu fel un o’r cyfarwyddwyr. Sefydlais hefyd sefydliad sy’n ymroddedig i addysg cyllid personol, gan gynnig hyfforddiant a gweminarau i helpu unigolion i wneud penderfyniadau ariannol gwybodus. Mae’r fenter hon yn hanfodol i lawer yn y gymuned lleiafrifoedd ethnig nad ydynt efallai’n deall yn llawn effeithiau hirdymor eu dewisiadau ariannol, megis rheoli credyd a thaliadau amserol.

Yn y byd academaidd, rwy’n ymdrechu i fod yn fodel rôl ac yn fentor, yn enwedig i fyfyrwyr o gefndiroedd lleiafrifol. Rwy’n cynnal sesiynau drws agored lle gall myfyrwyr, gan gynnwys y rhai nad ydynt yn uniongyrchol o dan fy addysg, ofyn am gyngor a chymorth. Mae’r dull hwn wedi bod yn fuddiol o ran helpu myfyrwyr i deimlo hyder a chefnogaeth.

Fel arweinydd eglwys, rwyf wedi creu gofod cefnogol lle gall pobl fynegi eu hunain, p’un a ydynt yn cael trafferth neu’n dathlu. Mae darparu cymorth ymarferol ac ysbrydol wedi bod yn rhan annatod o fy rôl, gan helpu unigolion i lywio eu heriau personol.

I’r gymuned fwyafrifol yn Abertawe, mae croesawu amrywiaeth yn cynnig nifer o fanteision. Mae cymuned amrywiol yn meithrin ffyniant trwy integreiddio profiadau a safbwyntiau amrywiol, gan wella bywiogrwydd cyffredinol. Mewn busnes, gall deall anghenion amrywiol ysgogi llwyddiant trwy deilwra cynhyrchion a gwasanaethau. Mae cwmnïau ag arweinyddiaeth amrywiol yn aml yn perfformio’n well trwy alinio â thueddiadau a dyheadau ehangach.

I gyd-leiafrifoedd ethnig, mae integreiddio yn allweddol. Mae addasu yn golygu deall sut i ffynnu mewn lleoliad newydd heb golli eich hunaniaeth. Mae hyblygrwydd, fel addasu arddulliau cyfathrebu, yn hanfodol ar gyfer llwyddiant proffesiynol.

I bobl ifanc, fy nghyngor i yw cofleidio cyfleoedd heb gyfyngu eu hunain. Yn aml, mae petruster yn deillio o beidio â bodloni pob cymhwyster, ond mae llawer o gwmnïau’n buddsoddi mewn potensial ac yn darparu hyfforddiant. Mae datblygu eich hun yn barhaus trwy ddysgu a rhyngweithio yn eich arfogi i gael effaith ystyrlon ar eich cymuned.