A student from Peterhead is backing a Scottish Government campaign highlighting diversity across Scotland.
Jakub Rachwal, who arrived in the town after leaving Krakow in Poland a decade ago, features in the We Are Scotland film which shows the contribution made by people from overseas.
His parents decided to come to the north-east to provide a better quality of life for Mr Rachwal and his brother.
The then 12-year-old was unable to speak a word of English when he started at Peterhead Academy.
But thanks to the support from his teachers and classmates, Mr Rachwal was fluent within eight months.
He also became involved in local activities in the town, such as the air cadets and learned to sail.
Now the 22-year-old is studying acting and theatre performance at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen while working alongside his father in the construction industry.
He said: “My parents left their lives behind in Poland because they wanted us to have a better quality of life, and more opportunities. My dad got a job here and at first, our family was separated until they decided that it would be better for us all to be together.
“It wasn’t easy, but we have always felt welcome. We attend a small church in Peterhead where there are people from all over the world, not just Poland. There’s a great community spirit and we made a lot friends there.
“I’ve only been back to Poland a few times in the last 10 years and day-to-day, when I’m with my friends and my girlfriend, speaking and thinking in English, I feel very Scottish. I’ve done so much here that I don’t think would have been possible if we stayed in Krakow, and I’m so grateful for my life in Scotland.”
Aberdeen-based nurse Alina Burnete, who is originally from Romania, and offshore worker Ripudaman Kaur also feature in the film.
Dr Alasdair Allan, minister for international development and Europe, said: “Migration is crucial to the development of Scotland as an inclusive, fair, prosperous and innovative country ready and willing to embrace the future.
“It is essential to our economic prospects and our demographic sustainability that Scotland continues to attract the level and nature of migration it needs.”
“People from overseas who come to Scotland to live, to study or work, or to raise their families are our friends, colleagues and neighbours. They strengthen our society and we welcome them.”
There were around 378,000 non-British nationals living in Scotland in 2017, that is about 7% of the population.
The Scottish Government estimates that EU nationals annually boost the economy to the tune of £4.42 billion.
